Teaching nature in our local place.

The course has just received approval from the department of education to run for a further three years.  this year we will be running from Monday the 10th of August at Donegal Education Centre.  Register at the link here.  For more details, please get in touch!

This course has been run four times so far, once based in Scoil Fhionan Falcarragh in 2017, twice in 2018, Sessaigh O’Neill Ballybofey and Scoil Treasa Naofa in Malin and in Scoil Fhionan Falcarragh again in 2019.  The aim of the course is to empower teachers with the tools and knowledge necessary to deliver appropriate SESE lessons in their local environment.  Three specific habitat are explored over three of the days, beach, bogland and forest as well as school ground exploring and mapping.  Links to the An Taisce Green Schools biodiversity theme are explored as well as topics such as insects, pollination, flower structure, climate change and recording biodiversity online as part of an ICT exercise.  Climate change as a topic is also explored.  The participants also came away with an enhanced knowledge of local native and non native tree identification.  The course is accredited by the Dept. of Education and administered by the Donegal Education Centre.

Testimonials

‘An excellency inspirational course.  Thank you so much – it was the most enjoyable summer course I ever did (in thirty years!)’

‘Aengus was fab – so interesting.  Would go to any courses given by him’

‘It was a fantastic course, enjoyed that it was in our school and the tutor was engaging and interesting and fun!’

‘I can’t think how you could improve on this course, it has been brilliant!!’

‘Excellent course, I would happily do it again as there is so much to learn.’

‘Excellent course. Very interesting topic.  Facilitator so knowledgeable.’

‘A very informative course delivered by a very knowledgeable person.  Really enjoyed the week.’

‘Can’t recommend this course highly enough!’

2017

‘Hard to improve on perfection!!  Would love to do more of these course – I feel excited to teach about woodlands, beaches and bogs.’

Excellent and really enjoyable course, Aengus really knows his stuff!  His enthusiasm and knowledge made the course all the more enjoyable.’

‘Fantastic course, thank you Aengus.’

‘Most engaging course I have ever done.’

‘This week was the most absolutely fantastic.  I have learned so much and will use all the material in the classroom.  Thank you!’

‘Doing courses for 15 years but this is the first course that i really enjoyed and learned from!’