ROOT: Reaching Out to Our Trees
Year Awarded
2024
Amount
€59,836
- Organisation:University of Limerick (UL)
Project Summary
ROOT (Reaching Out to Our Trees) aims to create an immersive education programme using UL’s Green Campus, promoting environmental awareness in primary school students by focusing on trees. There is growing recognition of the importance of environmental education, especially for younger generations. The University of Limerick ‘ROOT’ team are committed to nurturing a sense of environmental awareness and ecological understanding using trees.
In alignment with this vision, an innovative outreach programme, is being introduced called ‘Reaching Out to Our Trees’, which focuses on trees as the central theme, providing primary school children with an engaging and educational experience on the University’s green campus as well as in the classroom.
Programme Structure:
1. On Campus Tree Exploration: The core of the ROOT programme involves on-campus tree exploration sessions. Primary school children will embark on guided tours through UL’s green campus, immersing themselves in the diverse collection of trees. From identifying tree species to understanding the life-cycle of trees, these sessions will provide a hands-on learning experience.
2. Tree-Planting Activities: Children will actively participate in planting saplings, contributing to the campus’s greenery, leaving a lasting impact. Saplings will also be provided to bring back to the respective schools.
3. Interactive Workshops: These workshops will cover the anatomy of trees, identification of trees, the importance of photosynthesis, and the role of trees in maintaining ecological balance.
4. Bespoke Classroom Package: This package comprises of a module on trees, complete with educational materials, and video resources.