The Outstanding Teachers Awards in Nature-based Education

Award Objectives

  • To encourage teachers to design and practice nature-based education, and transition toward long-term, school-based curriculum-integrated teaching models.
  • To establish a professional exchange network for peers and educators in the field of nature-based education.

Eligibility

  • Full time teachers from all local government, aided, and Direct Subsidy Scheme (DSS) primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong (excluding Teaching Assistants)
  • Participating teachers must have completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) or a Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree
  • Each participating teacher must be nominated by a fellow teacher holding the rank of School Panel or above at their current school (nominees of an equivalent rank to the participating teacher are also acceptable)
  • Each participating teacher may submit a maximum of one nature-based education activity lesson plan

Application and Assessment Schedule

June 2026 - January 2027
Application Period

Interested teachers can apply by completing the online application form (Google Form). Upon receipt, teachers will receive relevant documents required for submission via email

September 2026 - January 2027
Nature-based Learning Activities Implementation Period

Participated teachers implement their Nature-based Education Activities (The activity should be designed and led by the participated teachers)

February 2027
Submission of Nature-based Education Activity Materials
  • Participating teachers are required to upload their Personal Information Form, Teaching Philosophy Form, Nature-based Education Activity Lesson Plan, Nature-based Education Professional Development Record Form, Competition Declaration, and Nomination Form to the designated Google Drive link.
  • To facilitate the exchange of activity information, relevant event data—including school names, venues, number of participants, and activity types — will be uploaded to the “Nature-based Education Activity Map”.
March 2027
Assessment Period

Stage 1 - Preliminary Evaluation

  • Preliminary evaluation will be conducted. Submitted documents will be reviewed to ensure that they meet the eligibility criteria and that all required information is complete. Eligible activity lesson plans and other relevant documents will then be submitted to the Assessment Committee for independent assessment.

Stage 2 - Final Assessment

  • The Assessment Committee will convene a selection meeting to conduct a comprehensive assessment of qualitative data, such as contestants' lesson plan designs and teaching philosophies, to select the shortlist.

Stage 3 - Selection Interview

  • Shortlisted teachers will be invited to attend a formal interview. The Assessment Committee will further review their professional practices and effectiveness through interviews, and determine the final list for each award accordingly.
April 2027
Ceremony

“The 1st Outstanding Schools and Teachers Awards in Nature-based Education” Ceremony

July 2027
Follow-up Activities

Winning teachers will participate in an Overseas Professional Exchange Tour focused on nature-based education.

Prizes

The competition is divided into two categories:

Primary Schools Category
Secondary Schools Category

Each category features five Outstanding Teachers Award in Nature-based Education. The prize details are as follows:

Outstanding Teachers Award in Nature-based Education*
(5 per category)

Each winning teacher will receive:

  1. Overseas Professional Exchange Tour, 1 sponsored place (Sponsorship amount: HK$4,250)
  2. Trophy and Certificate
* Award-winning teachers will be invited to attend “The Outstanding Nature-based Education Schools and Teachers Awards Ceremony” to share their insights and experiences in implementing nature-based education with fellow educators.

Competition Leaflet