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SummaryThe Forest School Podcast attended the International Forest School Research Symposium at the University of Liverpool. They interviewed researchers and practitioners about their experiences and findings. Topics discussed included the benefits of Forest School for parents' mental health, the use of qualitative research methods, and the importance of research in informing Forest School practice. The symposium provided a platform for sharing research and networking among academics and practitioners in the Forest School community. The conversation in this part of the podcast revolves around the Forest School Symposium in Liverpool. The participants discuss their excitement about the research being presented and the need for evidence to support the benefits of Forest School. They also talk about the role of research in advocating for Forest School and the importance of speaking the language of education. The conversation touches on themes such as neurodivergent young people, access to nature, long-term effects of Forest School, and the need for interdisciplinary collaboration. The Forest School Podcast team reflects on their experience at the Forest School Research Symposium. They discuss the various presentations and topics covered, including the impact of Forest School on parents' mental health, the role of forest school leaders in creating micro communities, the importance of the forest as an entity, and the challenges and successes of implementing forest school in different countries. They also highlight the contributions of the FSA team and volunteers in organizing the symposium.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Symposium Overview

10:48 Opening Address by Dr Sarah Knight

29:31 Interviews with Researchers and Practitioners

44:04 Celebrating and Supporting Research on Forest School

45:04 Advocating for Forest School through Research

51:49 The Impact of Forest School on Neurodivergent Young People

56:24 Improving Access to Nature through Forest School

01:13:10 The Role of Forest School in Occupational Therapy

01:19:24 Supporting Parents' Mental Health through Forest School

01:25:24 Enhancing Mental Bandwidth and Problem-Solving Skills in Forest School

01:28:19 Aligning with Institutional Values in Forest School

01:29:13 Observing Actions and Activities in Forest School

01:30:55 The Impact of Forest School on Parents' Mental Health

01:35:36 The Role of Forest School Leaders in Creating Micro Communities

01:38:01 The Forest as an Entity: Its Importance in Forest School

01:47:14 Challenges and Successes of Implementing Forest School in Different Countries

01:49:59 The Contributions of the FSA Team and Volunteers in Organizing the Symposium