IntegratingEnvironmentalActionswiththeLeavingCertificate AppliedProgramme DungarvanYouthreach

from Science Journal 2023

ClimateChangeDiscussion

LCA learners in Dungarvan Youthreach were keen to explore environmental issues as part of their Leaving Certificate Applied course Two key biodiversity actions based on marine and plant life were selected The competing demands of centre life, often means that initiativesneedtosynchronisewithcurriculumneedsto beanimatedandprioritised WWETBhadjustformedl inkswiththeNationalBiodiversityDataCentre Thecentre became involved with a new innovative programme ‘Explore Your Shore – Citizen Science’ In addition, ECO UNESCO had publicised a competition for schools based on Youth Environmental Actions Both initiatives were used to scaffold the centre in achieving its biodiversity goals

ECOUNESCOYouthEnvironment Awards

DungarvanYouthreach

ECO UNESCO organise the Youth Environmental Awards which is a national competition for schools to promote environmental awareness In 2022, Dungarvan Youthreach won the award for their Biodiversity Healing Garden (Eco-Community Development -Senior category).TheaimoftheECOUNESCOawardistoempoweryoung peopletomakepositiveenvironmentalchange

The whole centre community created a native wildflower garden using local seeds and natural resources for community use The garden is adjacent to a local graveyard and many people find a moment to reflect and enjoy the space Among many actionoriented tasks, the learners researched, designed and created a native wildflower garden Art teacher Maria Conroy steered her classtodesignagardeninagreenfieldsitebyaddingnativetrees, plantsandshrubs.Theyaddedbirdboxes,re-cycledmaterials,and employedlocalseedharvestingmethods.Theirprimaryaimwasto highlighthowgardenscanbeahealinghabitatonmanylevelsand biodiversity is of primary importance The class further amplified theirmessageaboutbeesandpollinationtohundredsofchildrenin localnationalschoolsbyorganisingaBeesArtcompetitionandthe centreisnowa‘Nosprayschool’

The project was a great opportunity for community engagement

The project formed the LCA General Education Task and the ECO UNESCO award was the highlight of the year and a major national achievement for Dungarvan Youthreach learners and staff. After months of creative environmental action, Art teacher Maria Conroy andherclasspresentedtheproject‘TheHealingGarden’toapanel of judges on the ECO Den and they proudly claimed their beautiful prize

NewPygmyGoats

ColáisteAbbáin

There was great excitement in Coláiste Abbáin on 31st Januray, 2023 as they welcomed the first baby Pygmy goats of theyear Alittlegirlandabrazingboy

ModellingInheritance

BridgetownCollege

In October 2022 - Modelling inheritance - new species produced by 3rd Years by determining the genotypesandcorrespondingphenotypesfromtheparentchromosomestheyhad.Fabulousnewoffspring produced!