Workshops

I currently provide eye-opening bug-centric visits to primary school pupils through the Heritage in Schools scheme. I’m also available to facilitate workshops in libraries, community gardens, churches, tidy towns groups, after school clubs - anywhere with an indoor space or a bit of outdoor nature!

After a total of 18 months teaching environmental education to all age groups in rural Madagascar and several years volunteering as a leader with the OWLS Children's Nature Charity and teaching on Cloncannon BioFarm, I am excited to bring my knowledge of Irish insects into primary school classrooms in and around Dublin and take pupils outdoors to examine their local natural heritage close up.

My school visits are organised through and subsidised by the Heritage in Schools scheme. I also provide a video tutorial, resources and virtual visit through Heritage in Schools called “A Moth’s Eye View of Hedgerow Habitats”. Visit this link to see how it works or view my profile on the HIS website. Contact me to pick a date and make a booking.

My work celebrates the diversity of living things, specialising in insects and their habitats in Ireland. I want to introduce children to the identification of different insect and invertebrate species, their fascinating biology and ecology and their usefulness as habitat engineers and pollinators. The pupils will learn scientific methods for sampling and recording insects, and get to know the plants and habitats on which they depend. I aim to get pupils actively involved in national citizen science recording schemes, contributing to the All Ireland Pollinator Plan, and working toward their schools' Green Flag for biodiversity.

I am familiar with the All Ireland Pollinator Plan, Natura 2000 sites, insect surveying methods, beekeeping theory, management of insect habitats, Irish plants and their relationships with insects. To create really engaging, memorable experiences I incorporate my visual art and music skills into my workshops and outings.  I have first-hand knowledge of wildlife and culture in Madagascar, where I facilitated the Wild Postcard Project, and I can use this to give context to local Irish natural history and sense of place if requested.

My workshops and outings can be tailored to the following curriculum strands:

Natural environments (Geography), Environmental awareness and care (Geography/Science), Living things (Science), Story (History), Local Studies (History), Continuity and change over time (History), Human environments (Geography).