Case study: Irish Schools Sustainability Network
Photo acknowledgement: Irish Schools Sustainability Network
- Primary, Secondary
- Indoor & Outdoor
- Film / documentary, Hands-on activity, Workshop / training, Networks
- Ireland
Irish Schools Sustainability Network
The Irish Schools Sustainability Network (ISSN) was established in 2021 and is a community of teachers and students who are committed to teaching climate and ecological literacy in schools across Ireland. A core team of 5 teachers and educators coordinate the network. The network provides a forum for teachers and students to work in partnership to accelerate climate action, address the loss of nature, and prioritise sustainability in the Irish education system. They have developed a suite of 9 educational programs and resources and many of these include topics on soil health and soil biodiversity.
Objective
The ISSN wants to empower teachers to bring climate and biodiversity education into their classrooms by providing free resources and community support. Their mission is to reimagine the education system and foster a culture of agency and empowerment instead of apathy and acceptance. They aim to create a community that sees nature as having its own inherent value instead of as a resource to be exploited. A guiding principle is that education should inspire critical thinking and active democracy, ensuring that everyone feels they have a role in shaping a better future.
Approach
The ISSN are working to integrate climate and nature education into school life in primary and secondary schools. The resources and programs they implement to inspire climate action in schools and communities include;
– Monthly online meet ups where members can exchange ideas and insights, hear from guest speakers and share resources.
– A dynamic CPD schedule created in direct response to teachers’ needs. The workshops taking place provide up to date information and examples of engaging activities.
– A Climate and Nature Summit each year which has resources to allow teachers to hold a Climate and Nature Summit day or week in their own schools. Resources are made available afterwards as Global Citizen and Environmental Education booklets. Interactive videos including guest speakers, presentations, student worksheets and topics for walking debates are provided. Topics include greenwashing, renewable energy, plastics and farming methods. There is a unit devoted to soil called ‘Soil -Don’t treat me like dirt!’ developed in partnership with Farming for Nature.
– 5 Minutes of Sustainability videos created by students for students. Each video is on a new topic and highlights feasible, actionable steps to combat climate change, manage energy, reduce waste and improve biodiversity in schools.
– The Environmental Influencer course which is a 10 week program for students in which they develop critical thinking, creativity, active listening, debating and bias recognition skills. Teachers can use resources provided to implement the course in their own school.
– Plant a Planet Campaign resource which encouraging students and their families to transform their own gardens at home by planting a tree.
Link for further information
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wuxZl4QhzIHNs_lqSHGE2oNEThtqmwbR/view (Soil – don’t treat me like dirt! Workshop)