Virtual Student Teacher Exchange

Virtual Student Teacher Exchange 2026

Join Us for a Two-Day Event:

Teaching for a Sustainable World: Climate Action and Biodiversity Conservation

This two-day programme brings together student teachers from across the island of Ireland, uniting participants from both North and South to explore innovative ways of teaching sustainability, climate action, and biodiversity conservation. Designed to empower both teachers and pupils to take meaningful action, the event combines expert-led workshops with interactive discussion. Participants will gain practical insights and resources to support them in inspiring change in their classrooms and beyond — educating for a sustainable future, fostering engagement with biodiversity, and leading conservation initiatives in their school communities.

When:
Day 1: Wednesday 28th January 2026
Day 2: Monday 2nd February 2026
Each session runs from 5pm to 7pm

Where: Virtual Zoom Event (Details to be shared upon registration)

Event Highlights

Day 1: Why Teaching Sustainability Matters and addressing Biodiversity Conservation in Education
The event will begin with an engaging keynote address by Elaine Nevin of ECO-UNESCO, highlighting the vital role of sustainability and biodiversity education in schools today and stimulating further discussion. Participants will be introduced to practical and accessible strategies for embedding sustainability into everyday teaching practice. The session will also feature an inspiring group of primary and post-primary teachers from across Ireland who are actively championing environmental action in their schools. They will share innovative examples of how sustainability and climate action can be meaningfully integrated across the curriculum. Attendees will leave with a wealth of ideas and resources, including guidance on initiatives such as the ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalists Award and the EU Climate Coalition Challenge, to support impactful, student-led environmental projects.

Participants will gain access to teaching resources tailored to different age groups and themes, provided by ECO-UNESCO, the Irish Schools Sustainability Network, and the EU Climate Coalition, creating opportunities for empowering teachers and pupils to take action on issues such as sustainable living and biodiversity.

 Day 2: Strategies for teaching Sustainability and Climate Action

The second evening will open with a thought-provoking presentation from Brussels-based policy experts, offering a European perspective on the role of education in advancing climate action and biodiversity conservation. The session will examine why educators are central to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and how policy translates into classroom practice.

This session will provide an insight into emerging developments in the new Leaving Certificate in Climate Action and Sustainable Development.   Participants will also be introduced to practical teaching approaches and examples aligned with the new Leaving Certificate qualification.  Through expert-led presentations and suggestions for structured interactive activities, student teachers will explore cross-curricular learning opportunities and whole-school approaches that build confidence and competence in addressing the SDGs.

The programme aims to strengthen the capacity of future educators to empower pupils to think critically and take informed action on environmental issues, while providing research-informed strategies and practical resources for effective classroom implementation.

The evening will conclude with guidance on developing collaborative, cross-border projects that participants can implement during their teaching placements, fostering cooperation and shared learning across the island of Ireland.

Additionally, a webinar on the use of serious games and interactive activities will be highlighting an effective way of utilising dynamic tools to convey key climate action concepts, for enhancing learning outcomes, inspiring young minds and educating pupils for a sustainable future.

Why Attend This Event?

  • Gain expert insight into sustainability education through keynote contributions from national and European policy and education specialists.
  • Learn practical, classroom-ready strategies for embedding sustainability, climate action, and biodiversity across the curriculum.
  • Explore approaches aligned with the new Leaving Certificate in Sustainability and Climate Action, supporting future-focused teaching practice.
  • Be inspired by experienced primary and post-primary teachers who are successfully leading environmental initiatives in Irish schools.
  • Develop confidence in addressing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through cross-curricular and whole-school approaches.
  • Access research-informed resources and teaching tools to support effective and innovative classroom practice.
  • Enhance your professional development by engaging with leading-edge expertise in sustainability and environmental education.
  • Network with student teachers from across the island of Ireland, building cross-border connections and shared learning communities.
  • Design collaborative, cross-border projects that can be implemented during teaching placements.
  • Empower your future pupils to think critically and take informed action on sustainability, climate action, and biodiversity conservation

Register now at  https://forms.office.com/e/fmMgMswNYn or scan the QR code to secure your spot and join us in shaping a more sustainable future through education. Let’s work together to empower the next generation of learners and leaders!

For further details and background reading, please visit: ECO-UNESCO, Irish Schools Sustainability Network, or EU Climate Coalition.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

no images were found

Project Aims

For Participating Students

  1. To broaden students’ experience of teaching practice by undertaking part of it in the neighbouring jurisdiction on the island of Ireland.
  2. To increase students’ cultural sensitivity by engaging educationally and socially with other students, teachers and pupils in a cross-border, cross-community context on the island of Ireland.
  3. To enable students to experience the education system of the neighbouring jurisdiction.
  4. To enable students to explore similarities and differences in curriculum provision and approaches in a cross-border, cross-community context.
  5. To encourage adaptability, reflexivity, confidence and an increase in personal and professional self-awareness in students through engagement with culturally diverse groups.

For Participating Lecturers

  1. To provide opportunities for colleges of education on the island of Ireland to affirm and respect cultural difference and to promote positive attitudes towards cultural diversity.
  2. To develop a model of professional practice in response to cultural diversity by supporting students who engage in a period of teaching practice in the other jurisdiction.
  3. To develop a deeper sense of community among educators on the island of Ireland that recognises the contributions of different cultural and religious communities.
  4. To become more familiar with a variety of curriculum programmes and methodologies, North and South.
  5. To explore and develop strategies and approaches currently in practice in colleges of education and universities, North and South, and to contribute to the development of an inter-college culture of collaboration on the island.