Classroom Education
Ireland is experiencing a biodiversity crisis. It was because of this we decided to run workshops that suit the ages of each class/group. We travel to schools to provide after-school workshops and during workshops during school hours. Schools that provide this type of education instantly improve the biodiversity in their immediate locality because it increases peoples literacy of native biodiversity. It's all about giving students the opportunity to know learn about Irish Biodiversity, and that's where schools have not been stepping up.
How does it all work?
The recommended education program is 4 visits. However, we of course understand not every school's timetable allows for this so visits can be booked on a per visit basis. Each workshop is based on age because this dictates the level of detail we can include, and complexity of the topic.
When delivering a workshop on pollinator identification to 1st class students we stick with basic taxonomic categories such as bee, and hoverfly; whereas with 5th class students we introduce the reality that Ireland has 21 different species of bumblebees, ~80 different species of solitary bees, 180 species of hoverfles, and Ireland actually only one species of bee that makes honey.
When delivering the same workshop at a secondary level schools we can deliver the details of how to accurately identify each of these bee species based on body markings, plus the ecology of each bee. For example some bees trick other bees into looking after their young, just like the Cuckoo bird. The same can be done for birds or even bats.
We recommend 4 visits
Example
Example
Example
More suited for second level students are rewilding workshops. We work with them to rewild a specific area on their school grounds. This instantly improves the biodiversity in the locality, and also gives students an invested interest in finding out what species use their rewilded area...any more importantly why that specific species is using that specific area
Workshop example #1
Introduction to Ireland's most important native pollinators
A brief introduction that teaches students and teachers how to know if you're looking at is a Bumblebee, Honeybee, Hoverfly, or something else. It covers the roles and importance each group plays in Ireland's ecology.
A workshop like this can be adjusted in complexity to include:
What are solitary bees?
Did you know we have ~80 species of solitary bee? but only 21 bumblebee species.
How to tell a solitary bee from a bumblebee?
Why should we care about solitary bee?
What wildflowers are important to each species of species group.
What are beetles and why do we care?
What are sawflies and why should we care?
*Workshops are delivered by professional ecologists and the delivery includes powerpoint presentations, professionally drawn diagrams, photographs taken by local Irish photographers and the most up-to-date scientific principals.
Workshop example #2
Live demonstrations
By far the most enthusiastic sessions we provide are those that have a live element. During a workshop it is common for our ecologists to showcase live native insects that have a particularly important ecological role in Ireland. This type of interactive learning always goes down well with students because it gets them out of their seats and talking.
During live displays we provide viewing lenses that keep the students safe and insects safe, while still allowing students to see up close vibrant details they have never seen before.
Where possible, light boxes can be set up in the school the evening before the session. Then first thing in the morning, our ecologist will open the light trap to see what has entered and go through each species one by one with students. This allows that wow factor of unknown discovery.
Workshop example #3
Nature Resources
Some schools have asked us to develop nature resources that can be used long after our workshops are done. In this section you can see an example of a nature booklet for first class students of a local school.
This small example included the native wildflowers and native insects included found in the locality of the school. This allowed students to form a real attachment to the booklet because it is what they see everyday on their own doorsteps/backyards.
Why is that important? Well, most people don't realise this, but there are many native wildflowers and native pollinators that are only found in certain parts of the country. For example there are pollinators only found in the south east of Ireland, and their are certain flowers only found in the west of Ireland. So a nature resource that is specific to your region is an exciting tool to deliver biodiversity education.
*Booklets are written by professional ecologists, they include professionally drawn diagrams, professional photographs taken by local Irish photographers and content in line with the most up-to-date scientific principals.
Workshop example #4
Rewilding projects
Perfect for T.Y. students
You set aside a simple strip of grass for wildlife and you have generated a huge learning curve for students.
*Rewilding actions and education materials are delivered by professional ecologists, and are in line with the most up-to-date scientific principals.
Step 1:
We work with staff and students to select the best site for rewilding.
Step 2:
We deliver a session on rewilding basics.
Students decide what actions they want to take, then begin implementing them.
Step 3:
Students choose what they want to learn next.
Example -
Wildflower ecology
Butterfly ecology,
Moth ecology,
Bat ecology
Temporal ecology.
Example
Rewilding projects are probably the most rewarding projects we do, and it has an instant impact on native biodiversity. From the outset students will have feeling of ownership, and can see first hand that they are making a difference.
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