The British International School Abu Dhabi recently welcomed a special guest, Her Highness Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, who officially opened the school’s new Eco Edventure – an innovative outdoor learning hub promoting sustainability, creativity, and nature-based education.
Nature Meets Nurture: Education With Purpose
More than just a learning space, the Eco Edventure blends nature-based play with structured learning in STEAM, Literacy, and Music, especially tailored for Early Years and Primary students. Set within an enclosed and open-air environment, the space allows children to plant, build, explore water systems, and care for animals — cultivating curiosity, resilience, and ecological awareness from the ground up.
“Nurturing this awareness from an early age is essential to developing a generation of environmentally conscious leaders,” said Her Highness during the opening ceremony.
A Visionary Visit That Inspired All Ages
As CEO of the UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA) and founder of The Climate Tribe, Her Highness brought a deep-rooted passion for climate advocacy to the visit. She toured the facilities, interacted with BIS students and faculty, and participated in a showcase of eco-conscious projects developed by students from Years 7, 8, and 12.
Later, in an intimate reading session with Year 1 pupils, she shared a story that echoed the core values of community, environment, and kindness — a memorable moment that will resonate with students for years.
What Is the Eco Edventure?
Eco Edventure is a purpose-built, immersive outdoor and semi-enclosed space at The British International School Abu Dhabi. It blends natural exploration with core learning areas including STEAM, Literacy, and Music.
This nature-based zone is specially designed to support Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Early Primary (EP) students. It encourages children to develop important skills like curiosity, resilience, and teamwork—all through hands-on activities. Through hands-on discovery and nature-based inquiry, the school equips students with the skills and values they need to thrive in a complex, changing world.
“This initiative beautifully reflects our belief that sustainability is not an add-on — it is embedded in how we teach, think, and act,” said Principal Alan Cocker.
A Living Classroom: What Students Experience
At Eco Edventure, children aren’t just learning about nature—they’re living it. Activities include:
- Growing and harvesting plants
- Exploring water flow and irrigation
- Building imaginative structures from natural materials
- Caring for animals and understanding ecosystems
These experiences are aligned with the school’s mission to provide holistic, future-ready education that empowers young learners.
A Celebration of Education and Sustainability
The day was beautifully captured by The Climate Tribe, reflecting the shared values of community, environmental awareness, and education.
🎥 Watch the video highlights here.
Learn More
To explore the Eco Edventure or schedule a visit, contact the BIS Abu Dhabi Admissions Team at
📞 +971 (2) 0100 520
📧 [email protected]
🌍 www.bisabudhabi.com