Contextualization

Urban adventures date back to a period when humans were gradually adapting to the urban environment and seeking ways to enjoy the city space by combining physical activities with different movements and strategies. In fact, these urban adventures can be considered as a reinterpretation of the city, a way to transform the urban landscape into a large playing field.

These bodily practices of urban adventure mobilize various physical, but also cognitive and socioemotional skills. In addition to moving the whole body, urban adventures involve quick thinking, strategic planning, creativity, empathy, respect for the rules and for others, among other skills essential for life.

Physical Education, in particular, has a crucial role to play in introducing or deepening the theme of urban adventures, not only because of its practical nature, but also because it is a discipline that can promote knowledge about the city, about the nature of human movement and about the relationships between people and spaces.

The importance of the theme "urban adventure" lies not only in a sports context, but also in a social one. Urban physical activities, such as parkour, skateboarding, and extreme cycling, are examples of how people can relate to the urban environment in a creative and challenging way. In this sense, these practices can provide a new interpretation of urban space and how it is used.

In addition, urban adventures are increasingly popular and accessible, being a great way to promote physical activity and a healthy lifestyle. They allow people to experience the city in different ways, which can be both stimulating and educational.

Students will be able to explore the proposed themes by accessing online educational material, such as articles, books, and videos. I recommend the following resources:

• Book "Physical Education and Adventure Practice in the City" by José Trindade (Link to the book)
• Documentary "Urban Outdoors" available on YouTube (Link to the Documentary)
• Article "The city as a learning space: Physical Education and urban adventure" available at: Link to the article

Practical Activity: "Unveiling Urban Adventure: Discover, Experience, Record, and Report"

Project Objective

• Recognize and explore human movement in an urban environment;
• Understand the origin and history of urban bodily practices;
• Identify safety strategies during the practice of urban physical activities;
• Research the influence of these activities on culture and society.

Project Description

Each group of 3 to 5 students must select a specific urban adventure bodily practice (e.g. parkour, skateboarding, extreme cycling) to research and experiment.

The students will conduct a theoretical research on the origin and development of the selected practice, the influence of this practice on culture and society, the safety rules and equipment, and the possibilities of recreation.

The next step is a practical experience, in which the students will participate in a basic training session on safety and technique of the chosen practice, conducted by an experienced professional.

Materials Required

• Internet access for research
• Specific equipment for the chosen practice (e.g. skateboard, bicycle, safety gear)
• Appropriate location for the practice

Step by Step

1. Form groups of 3 to 5 students.
2. Choose an urban adventure bodily practice.
3. Conduct a theoretical research on the chosen practice, considering the points mentioned above.
4. Organize a training session with an experienced professional.
5. Participate in the training session, respecting all safety measures. Document the experience with photos and videos.
6. Revisit the theoretical research after the practical experience, making any necessary additions or changes.
7. Write a final report (details below).

Note: The activity must be carried out within a month and each student must dedicate between 5 to 10 hours to its execution.

Project Deliverables

Students must submit a final report. The report should be structured in the following sections:

1. Introduction: Contextualize the chosen bodily practice and explain the objective of the project.
2. Development: Here the students should describe the researched theory and the methodology used for the practical experience. They should discuss the results obtained and present images and videos documenting the experience.
3. Conclusion: Retake the main points of the research and the practical experience, emphasize the learning acquired and draw conclusions about the chosen bodily practice.
4. References: List all the sources of information used in the project.

The final report should be submitted in digital format. The report is expected to be between 10 to 15 pages long.