Andorra Students Explore Forests at Beixalís Marteloscopi Lab

Nearly 115 primary and secondary students from EAMPE Canillo, EAMPE La Massana, and Col·legi Sant Ermengol participated in sessions at the Beixalís Marteloscopi outdoor forest laboratory during May and June this academic year.

Launched last year as a pilot by Andorra Recerca i Innovació (AR+I) in collaboration with the Ministry of Institutional Relations, Education and Universities, the initiative has established itself as a valuable pedagogical resource. The Beixalís site, a research parcel of red and black pine forest where every tree is measured, identified, and mapped, now serves schools by linking science and technology projects to hands-on learning in Andorra's natural environment.

AR+I Aula coordinator Montse Brugulat highlighted the programme's role in bringing classrooms closer to the outdoors. She noted that the on-site activities allow students to explore the forest directly, applying classroom concepts in real settings and supporting competency-based education in schools.

The sessions use a playful, interactive method, with participants employing tablets or mobiles to examine forest ecosystems. Topics include biodiversity, microhabitats, silviculture, climate change, and natural risks, as students analyse woodland variables and suggest sustainable management strategies.

The name "Marteloscopi" draws from the French "martelage," meaning tree selection, and the Greek "skopein," to observe. Functioning as an open-air classroom and lab, it accommodates various educational levels and promotes public engagement with forest conservation.

AR+I plans to continue and expand the programme in future years, integrating it more closely with school curricula.