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Who we are:
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We are Ireland's biodiversity education organisation for young people and the largest provider of nature training programmes for Irish schools.
Our workshops offer a unique opportunity for your students to work with experienced teachers and scientists such as ecologists, zoologists, botanists, environmental scientists, horticulturists - all with extensive education experience.
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What we do:
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Our whole team adore nature and love visiting schools to share our enthusiasm for Ireland's biodiversity. Our workshops are directed by the season, the weather, school grounds and your own requirements.
They can include a very broad range of topics such as introducing biodiversity, exploring trees in autumn, identifying birds in winter, searching for wildflowers in spring, making the school pollinator friendly, starting a garden or exploring the fascinating hidden zoo of creepy crawlies at your feet. Regardless of the topic, workshops are rooted in science and wellbeing and are typically a mix of indoor/ outdoor, presentations, games, exploration or hands-on activities. We aim to excite your students and inspire an awe and curiosity of nature that will stay with them long after we've left! Excitingly, for each workshop booked, we purchase and rewild 1sq m of land through our ReWild Child Project. |
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Costs:
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(NOTE: workshops carried out during 2022/23 school year are €295)
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What teachers have said:
"A truly amazing and educational workshop on bees and their essential role in nature. Both the pupils and myself learned so much. Mark presented a wealth of information in a most child-centred way, which kept the pupils enthralled throughout the entire workshop. His enthusiasm and depth of knowledge shone through and I know he has inspired the pupils to be even more environmentally aware. I would unreservedly recommend this project to every school and look forward to many more visits in the "The workshop is not only fun but very educational. It’s suitable for all classes and they all thoroughly enjoyed it. The workshop will sit comfortably in any school's yearly scheme. I would highly recommend it.” "The practical activities were so age appropriate and the pupils loved every second." "This was an excellent workshop that was fun, hands-on and educational. Mark was great with the kids and they really enjoyed it!" "I would like to take the opportunity to thank you very much for delivering such a high standard workshop. The children enjoyed it greatly and are still talking about it." |
"Mark is an excellent facilitator. He managed my class very well, he kept their attention, he was respectful and he has a lovely calm clear manner. His explanations were clear and age appropriate. The children were completely captivated by his outdoor activities and were very excited looking for different insects. Even on sports day next day many of the class were spotting different bees and insects." "Thank you so much for the workshop. The content was superb and you kept the children totally engaged for the entire two hours. The children were totally captivated and really enthusiastic. Once again thank you Mark, you are welcome back any time." "Very interactive. Innovative games were used to help engage the children. Good balance of oral, written and hands on work. Mark was excellent at holding their attention. He left the children with lots of idea that could be implemented easily into our school to help increase biodiversity. One of the best in-house facilitators we’ve had in school. Super course and the children and I thoroughly enjoyed it." "It fitted nicely in our SESE programme, Green School's biodiversity theme and construction strand of the visual arts curriculum. Your vibrancy, energy and overall positivity appealed to and engaged all the children in first class. A breath of fresh air!!" “The children really enjoyed this workshop as it was fun, educational and very interesting. As a teacher, I would recommend this workshop to other schools as it is well organised, very realistic and delivered in a fun interactive workshop." |
"This workshop worked extremely well with our school's work on biodiversity. I would recommend this to other schools without hesitation. It was a very valuable experience for all involved.”
Ms. Fahy, Teacher & Green Schools Coordinator, Holy Family Boys NS, Carlow
"Thank you most sincerely for visiting the school. All of the pupils listened attentively and thoroughly enjoyed actively participating in the workshop.We are delighted with all of your suggestions and guidance with our pollinator plan which we hope to implement in the school. We were very impressed with your warm and friendly engagement with the pupils. We would highly recommend your workshops to other schools committed to biodiversity and caring for our environment.
Anonymous feedback via Heritage in Schools Scheme.
"Thoroughly enjoyable day. The children learned an extensive but appropriate amount of information and facts. After our nature walk Mark helped the children draw a habitat map of our school grounds. Then Mark helped the children create a pollinator plan for our school." |
"We had a wonderful and informative day. We , even teachers, learned so much today and children will really remember this day for many years." |
"We had a great day! It was interesting, informative, interactive, engaging and fun. Mark pitched his presentation and activities at a level perfect for Second Class. He brought us from local to global, using the familiar context of the school garden to bring us the children to a subject that has world wide significance. We plan to share what we learned about Pollination and Pollinators with our whole school at our Science Day next month. Thank you Mark."
Cornamaddy NS, Athlone. Co. Westmeath.
"My class thoroughly enjoyed the Biodiversity Bootcamp carried out by Mark Nolan. Every pupil was engaged and involved throughout all of his lessons and discussions. The children loved the field-trip and the opportunity to find aspects of biodiversity in our school environment. I would highly recommend Mark's workshops".
Melview NS, Co. Longford
"Really enjoyed the visit. Mark was so knowledgeable and professional. The children and teacher learned loads! He gave us great ideas on how to improve pollination in the local environment."
Anonymous feedback via Heritage in Schools Scheme.
"Excellent workshop to keep the children engaged....great for this time of year!" |
"Mark was excellent with the pupils" |
"The day was very informative and hand-on. The children really enjoyed all aspects."Ballinlough NS, Co. Roscommon |
"Mark was an amazing facilitator for the 'Pollinator Project'. He was passionate about his content and the children responded really well to him. His content was engaging, interesting and fun."
Scoil Thomáis, Dublin 15
"Mark was very prepared and obviously has a great love for what he does. The children loved every aspect of the visit and learned so much in one day."
Queen of the Universe NS, Co. Carlow
