Smart Work 2026: Nature Emphasis at Alvettula Comprehensive School
The Smart Work page presents everyday innovations and success stories developed by the employees of the City of Hämeenlinna.
In recent years, the Alvettula Comprehensive School community has taken significant strides toward operations that respect nature and healthy lifestyles. Everything is based on a nature-oriented school annual calendar, developed together with several partners, which naturally paces the school’s daily life by offering experiential nature activities for children throughout the school year.
Examples of activities:
- Following the harvest
- Crayfishing
- Berry picking
- Orienteering day in Liinavuori
- Pet day
- Wilderness trips to Evo or nearby
- Themed trips to local nature
- Bicycle trips to the library
- Monitoring winter and migratory birds
- Ice fishing trips
- Tree planting
- Water studies at local shores
- Visit to Peltosirkku berry farm
- Monitoring spring sowing
Partners of Alvettula Comprehensive School include: MTK-Hauho, ProAgria, Vanajavesikeskus, Hyömäen eränkävijät, the local fishing association, the Hauho and Renko Savings Bank Foundation, Alvettulan koulun tuki ry., Alvettula Village Association, the orienteering section of Hauhon Sisu, Marjatta and Ilkka Hieto, the school grandma and grandpa, and Hilla the school dog.
The school’s learning environment provides excellent support for these activities, as ski tracks and skating rinks, along with all other activities from disc golf and a kota hut to an outdoor basketball court, are located right in the schoolyard. This means no nature-burdening transport to activity sites is required!
Outdoor classroom activities in early childhood education utilize the schoolyard in a new and different way. The teacher applies their studies in adventure education to their work. Our school dog, Hilla, has been proven to lower staff blood pressure while bringing calm and joy to the entire school community.
The activities are inherently internal and align with our values of creativity, nature, physical activity, and trust. They also reflect the city’s values, further enriched by the specialized expertise found among the staff, which the employer has supported through training.
When children are offered diverse nature experiences, a meaningful relationship with nature is formed. This creates an intrinsic desire to cherish a sustainable lifestyle and care for the environment. (David Kolb, John Dewey)
These activities have brought plenty of variety and a positive spirit to the school’s daily life. The environmental values and health benefits are also undeniable. We will continue on our chosen path.
Developers
Jukka Isotalo, Principal
Piia Takari, Class Teacher
Elise Oikari, Class Teacher, Outdoor Classroom
Liisi Lumijärvi, School Assistant
Anne-Marie Vekka, Language Teacher