Informal Education in Natural Sciences: Opportunities and Procedures

4.4.2025

A seminar dedicated to informal education in natural sciences was held at the Department of Landscape Gardening and Ecology. 

The aim of the event was to introduce students to modern learning opportunities outside the traditional academic program and show how such initiatives can complement their professional training. The seminar was attended by students of all specialties of the ER INAS.

The speaker was Iryna KYRPYCHOVA, Associate Professor of the Department of Landscape Gardening and Ecology, who revealed the key aspects of informal education, its differences from formal education and its benefits for future specialists. The main topics of discussion were:

• varieties of informal education: circles, master classes, volunteering, online courses (Coursera, Prometheus, etc.), self-study through scientific YouTube channels;
• advantages: development of soft skills, obtaining additional certificates, increasing competitiveness in the labor market, academic enrollment of learning outcomes;
• resources: European programs, volunteer initiatives in reserves, scientific conferences, open data platforms, etc.;
• motivation: realizing one’s own potential, building a unique professional trajectory, creating a network of useful acquaintances, and opening new prospects.

During the seminar, it was emphasized that informal education is a valuable investment in one’s own development, which allows one to expand professional knowledge, acquire practical skills, and form competitive advantages for a future career. Participants learned how to combine such forms of education with the main program and use them for professional growth.

In addition to getting acquainted with the possibilities of informal education, participants received important information about the procedures for recognizing and re-enrolling such learning outcomes at our university.

This event was an important step in popularizing modern approaches to education and motivated students to more actively search for opportunities for self-development.

Department of Landscape Gardening and Ecology