GeoSchool Program: A new path for students engaging with geosciences in the Oeste UNESCO Global Geopark (Portugal)

The Oeste UNESCO Global Geopark (OUGGp) comprises the municipalities of Bombarral, Cadaval, Caldas da Rainha, Peniche, Lourinhã and Torres Vedras, in the Portuguese central West. With a total area of 1.154 km², the most common rocks in this territory date from the Jurassic, representing 77% of the outcropping rocks. They are known for their extraordinary paleontological heritage, including twelve dinosaur species erected based on fossils collected in the OUGGp.

In 2025, the OUGGp launched the GeoSchool Program. This project was designed to connect students and teachers with the geological, biological, and cultural richness of the OUGGp, encouraging learning through exploration and hands-on experiences.

In its first year, the program achieved remarkable success. More than 500 students joined, from four schools across the OUGGp territory. Throughout the school year, joining schools had the opportunity to take part in field activities across some of the region’s most emblematic sites — from the stunning coastal cliffs of Caniçal, Peralta and Praia Azul, to the amazing landscape of Foz do Arelho. These fieldtrips were complemented with guided tours in interpretation centers and museums. There, students learned about fossils, rocks, and dynamic processes that have been shaping the region for millions of years.

In addition to outdoor learning, the Geoschool Program aims to promote hands-on experiences, where students search, learn and synthesize their new knowledge about the OUGGp territory, through the creation and assembly of different types of exhibitions – from paintings, to crafts, or even photographs.

This program also introduces educational kits and digital resources to support teachers, and help integrating Geopark themes into the school curricula. These materials include classroom games, thematic videos, and scientific experiments, all designed to make geology and environmental science fun and accessible. The Geopark’s team also delivers teacher training sessions, equipping educators with tools and knowledge to continue developing Geopark-related content during the year.

Another important aspect of the Geoschool Program is to raise awareness about environmental issues: the proposed activities included in the program's regulations comprise cleaning actions in geosites. Therefore, in addition to gaining knowledge about the territory, students are also playing a truly active role in preserving the heritage and the environment.

All the GeoSchool Program initiatives meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including 4 (Quality Education), 13 (Climate Action), 14 (Life Below Water), and 15 (Life on Land), aiming to give new generations the knowledge and tools necessary to build a better world.