With saws and team spirit. Seventh graders help restore balance to the moor

A school project on a class trip to the moors

Abstract

This learning paper describes the field trip of a 7th grade class from the Waldorf School in Ravensburg to the high moorlands of the Hotzenwald. The students actively contributed to landscape conservation by cutting back young trees to help maintain the sensitive balance of the moor ecosystem. Theory and practice intertwined as natural science, mathematics, German, and physical education were directly linked to hands-on experiences. The adolescents not only gained ecological knowledge but also developed team-work, perseverance, and a sense of responsibility. Critical questions about human intervention in nature were reflected upon and discussed with experts. Beyond subject-specific learning, students experienced nature directly, for example by discovering edible berries or observing rare plants and animals. Fieldwork required mindfulness, endurance, and cooperation. At the same time, the project created valuable oppor-tunities for social learning within the group. The experiences strengthened both individual self-confidence and the class community. Thus, the moor week became an interdisciplinary space for learning and living that left lasting impressions.