Karen Webster

Subject(s):

Science, History, Geography

Curriculum Strands:

Local Studies (History), Continuity and change over time (History), Natural environments (Geography), Living things (Science), Materials (Science)

Counties catered for:

Donegal, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon, Sligo

Classes catered for:

All Classes

Book virtual / in-person visit

Karen is a visual artist who has been designing and delivering projects in national schools for over twenty years. She has an MA(research) in using art as a way of engaging children with their local natural heritage. She uses an approach that is fun and imaginative and allows the children to investigate and learn through practical, creative and hands-on activities.

During a project with Karen the children will get the chance to explore nature through art-making, such as clay work, journal making, paper-making, cyanotype photography and making paints from soils. Where possible she likes to get the children outside and utilizes the school grounds or locally accessible areas to give them direct experience of the natural world on their doorstep.

She works collaboratively with the class teacher and is happy to tailor projects to meet the requirements of each individual school.

Testimonials

• "This was our second virtual visit from Karen. The lesson was expertly delivered, from planning videos and notes as well as Karen's ability to engage the children in the lesson. We look forward to future lessons from Karen." - Scoil Íosagáin, Donegal

• "Brilliant job, Karen was extremely well prepared, expertly delivered, the pupils were engaged throughout... inspired us to leave the classroom once it was finished and start exploring our environment." - Saint Hugh's NS

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• "Very enjoyable visit, very informative interesting video" - ARdkeeran NS, Sligo

• "We have 5 visits planned altogether, have had 3 so far and they have been amazing!"

• "Excellent workshop with Karen. Well planned and organised. Interesting and informative. The children loved it."

• "Really great day. Very interactive and environmentally based. Integrated artwork into the day as well."

• "We were impressed with the amount of work produced by the children - art work in particular."

• "The children thoroughly enjoyed the presentation and make and do session given by Karen. They produced great nests and each one was different." - Rockfield Ns, Coolaney Co. Sligo

• "An excellent, practical and enjoyable morning spent with Karen. The kids really enjoyed it!"

• "Karen was fabulous. The children not only enjoyed the experience but learnt so much about their local community from the lesson." - Scoil Naomh Éanna, CarrAroe, Sligo

• "Karen's visit was thoroughly enjoyable and educational. Her level of knowledge on nature (in particular leaves, berries and seeds) is incredible. She enabled the children to take a deeper look at the world around them and in doing so they engaged fully with the content. They created beautiful pieces of art work on the day covering different strands of the Visual Arts curriculum. Pupils were also able to discuss and identify various leaves and their seeds. It was a wonderful experience of all school members." - Anon.

• "Karen Facilitated workshops with each class over a number of days. She was very well informed and worked exceptionally well with children from Junior Infants to Sixth Class. Karen included the use of poems and stories of the local area as well as lots of knowledge about the natural environment. It has been an overwhelmingly positive expereince for our school." - Scoil Naomh Éanna, Carraroe, Sligo

• "An excellent virtual workshop! We have completed other online workshops, however this one was far more interactive and inclusive for all children!" - Anon.

• "Karen explained every thing really well. The attention to detail was excellent. It was fun and entertaining and we learned a lot of new stuff. (Testimony of the children)." - Scoil Íosagáin

• "Karen was really lovely and it encouraged us as a class to go outside to visit the local woodlands." - Anon.

• "Karen prepared a great video & notes, liaised well with teacher-coordinator, engaged well with pupils." - Doora NS, Clare

• "This is our second time working with Karen. I really like the cross-curricular approach she takes, covering art, science, local history and geography and so on." - Scoil Iognáid de Rís, Kilkenny

• "The children found the workshop with Karen very enjoyable and loved learning about biodiversity with the fun and interactive activities showed by Karen." - Largy NS, Leitrim

• "The children thoroughly enjoyed our virtual visit with Karen. The content sent beforehand was engaging and child friendly. Karen had an excellent manner with the children." - Scoil Aonghusa CNS, Cork