Virtual Student Teacher Exchange 2025

Virtual, Student Teacher Exchange

Join Us for a Two-Day Event:

Teaching for a Sustainable World: Advancing Climate Action and Biodiversity Conservation

This two-day event is designed for student teachers from across the island of Ireland, bringing together participants from both north and south to explore innovative approaches to teaching sustainability, climate action, and biodiversity conservation, with the aim of empowering teachers and pupils to take action. Through expert-led sessions and interactive discussions, this event will provide invaluable insights and resources to equip future educators with the tools needed to inspire change in their classrooms and beyond, educating pupils for a sustainable future, engaging with biodiversity and leading conservation efforts.

When:
Day 1: Thursday, 16 January 2025
Day 2: Friday, 17 January 2025
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
The event will commence with a stimulating keynote presentation from Elaine Nevin of ECO-UNESCO, who will discuss the critical importance of embedding sustainability and biodiversity education in schools. You will learn about practical strategies to get started with sustainability in your teaching practice. The session will also feature a panel of experienced primary and post-primary teachers from across Ireland, who are passionate about their local and global environment and will share inspiring examples of how they have integrated sustainability and climate action into their schools. Resources and ideas for supporting initiatives like the ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalists Award and EU Climate Coalition Challenge will also be introduced.

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. The evening will close with suggestions for collaborative cross-border projects that can be implemented during teaching placements.

 

Day 2: Strategies for Climate Action and Biodiversity Conservation in Education
The second evening will open with a thought-provoking presentation by a Brussels-based policy expert on the European perspective focusing on the role of education in driving climate action and biodiversity conservation. This session will explore why educators are central to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

A group of enthusiastic and passionate primary and post-primary teachers will share more practical teaching examples, with a focus on activities that promote biodiversity awareness and foster action on climate change. As participants, you will explore cross-curricular classroom activities and whole-school approaches that build expertise and confidence in addressing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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?

  • Gain insights from leading sustainability and education experts.
  • Learn from experienced primary and post-primary teachers about practical applications in real-world classrooms.
  • Access a wealth of free teaching resources and project ideas.
  • Build connections with student teachers across Ireland for potential cross-border collaboration, if desired.
  • Strengthen your ability to teach key SDGs, including climate action and biodiversity conservation.

Register now at https://forms.office.com/e/QdBLEmriVN  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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCoTENS Certificate of Participation  

All participants in the 2025 SCoTENS Virtual Learning Event will receive a SCoTENS Certificate for taking part in this North-South webinar.