Architects of Change programme (Phase 3)

Description

Phase 3 of children's environmental and creative workshops that educated children on key environmental concerns such as climate change, global warming, plastic pollution, biodiversity, animal habitat loss and the importance of reducing, reusing and recycling. These critical topics are often underrepresented in school settings, where numeracy and language and communication skills are at the forefront of the curriculum, or limited funding has an impact on addressing environmental issues.

The Architects of Change programme worked with six Key 2 primary schools across Northern Ireland e.g., Ballycastle, Derry~Londonderry, Coleraine, Armoy and Rathlin Island.

These arts-based workshops utilised scientific principles, creative methods and design-thinking to engender environmental learning and emotional geography through hands-on and collaborative activities.

A total of 146 children participated at these workshops, which included personalised sessions catering to different abilities (written/drawn and verbal). These workshops included terrarium-making, painting, worksheet activities, puzzle games, and collaborative design, covering a broad range of children's skills and interests. Classes participated at all six workshops, throughout the year, and received certificates at the end of the programme, which also included a biodiversity trip and graduation ceremony, celebrating children's completion of the programme.

Children were taught 6 core themes:

1) Introduction to Climate Change and Environmental Topics
2) Lessons Learned from Other Coastal Communities and Islands - which details global activism and learning about humanitarian efforts against global warming
3) Caring About Carbon - understanding the negative and positive actions taken to prevent carbon footprints
4) Reduce, Reuse and Recycle - encouraging artistic practices to create crafts e.g., terrarium-making, up-cycling tote bags/T-shirts
5) The Future with Sustainability - learning about renewable technology practices and net zero
6) Our Space and Place - learning about sustainable choices and practices

Period	15 Nov 2023 → 9 May 2024
Event type	Workshop
Location	United KingdomShow on map
Degree of Recognition	Local