The Nature Explorer for Schools programme is the core element of GAP’s work with primary schools.
Inspired by the Forest School ethos, it supports children and teachers to connect with nature and learn about biodiversity. Sessions run weekly for 6-8 weeks and take place outdoors on school grounds or in local parks and green spaces.
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The programme supports participants to understand and appreciate nature in their local area and to develop key transferable skills such as inquiry, creativity, collaboration and problem-solving. Through active playful learning in nature, the project invites children and teachers to practice curiosity and close observation. Nature Explorer for Schools supports the development of many key competencies as outlined in the revised Primary Curriculum Framework.
1) What kinds of things do students experience during sessions?
During our sessions, we respond to the season and to what is taking place in nature around us. The programme puts a strong emphasis on facilitating a strong connection to nature in the local area.
We are very lucky to have conducted sessions in some wonderful parks around Dublin city, including Popppintree park, Albert College park, Blessington Basin, and Pope John Paul II park.
Throughout the programme, children are invited to engage with the following themes in a fun, child-friendly, experiential way:
Trees, plants and common wildflowers; mini beasts; birds; mammals; biodiversity; food webs.
Students develop plant and insect ID skills through games, scavenger hunts, and child-led exploration. We provide resources such ID charts for students keen on identifying and developing citizen-scientist skills. We also use art, crafts, play, and story to help children to engage with nature creatively and imaginatively.
We encourage children to use all of their senses in activities like “meet a tree” where students are blindfolded and have to use their other senses to identify characteristics of the trees they meet.
2) Field trips
For schools in Dublin, our groups visit Bull Island to learn about this important ecosystem right in the heart of Dublin Bay. Children make happy memories building and designing sand creations on the beach and learn a huge amount about the varied and beautiful biodiversity on the island.Â
3) Tree Planting
Depending on the time of year, our groups sometimes plant trees in the parks and local area. This is a practical and enjoyable climate action which contributes positively to the biodiversity of the local area and it’s always a highlight of the programme for all concerned!
With support from Dublin City Council, the programme ( formerly called Parks & Biodiversity Stewardship Programme) has been running in Ballymun since 2011 and is considered one of the most impactful environmental educational programmes by local primary schools. In 2023 we began to work with schools in the wider Dublin area thanks to the support of the National Parks & Wildlife Service under the National Biodiversity Action plan (2017-2021) and Dublin City Council under the Dublin City Biodiversity Action Plan (2021-2025), and have expanded to work with teachers and offer CPD through the Department of Education’s ESD to 2030 grant funding.Â
See also this article, on why outdoor education is important.
Our funders and supporters
This programme is delivered with the support of the following funders and sponsors:
See also:
The benefits of outdoor education
GAP’s social regeneration work in Ballymun
Park Stewardship: The Value of Birds
How can spending time outside improve symptoms of ADHD?