Marina Levitina - Heritage Experts | Heritage in Schools

Marina Levitina

Marina Levitina 3
Marina Levitina 5
Marina Levitina 6
Marina Levitina 7
Marina Levitina 2
Marina Levitina 1
Subject(s):
Science, History, Geography
Curriculum Strands:
Story (History), Early people and ancient societies (History), Life, society, work and culture in the past (History), Human environments (Geography), Natural environments (Geography), Environmental awareness and care (Geography/Science), Living things (Science), Energy and forces (Science)
Counties catered for:
Clare, Galway, Limerick
Classes catered for:
All Classes

Book virtual / in-person visit


Marina Levitina, PhD, AM, MA, MFSPM, is a Heritage in Schools specialist and a certified Forest School leader. She is a herbalist, nature educator and film-maker. She has been facilitating workshops in Biodiversity through the Arts for primary school children for several years. Her academic background includes a doctorate in film history, she lectured at Trinity College Dublin for many years before making a decision to fully dedicate herself to nature education and protection of biodiversity. She is the founder of Lough Grainey Nature Sanctuary in county Clare. Marina is passionate about helping children to reconnect with nature and she loves sharing the magic of wildflowers and trees with children through the arts and forest school sessions. Marina offers in-person and virtual visits.

Virtual school visits

Choose one of the following options or contact Marina for more information:

Classes: Junior infants to 6th class

Materials: Coloured chalk, pencils, paper, glitter glue, (optional) dried flowers and leaves.

Long ago, people lived in harmony with the plants and trees all around them. Wise women and men knew how to treat plants and all beings of the Earth with love and respect, and how to use healing plants for medicine. Irish stories are full of references to healing plants, and Irish placenames often point to a time when plants and trees were revered, cared for, and protected. It is time for us to look at our past, and look at the natural world through the eyes of a child, to help us create a happier future where we can live in harmony with nature once again.

In a virtual visit with Marina Levitina, the children will get to go on a virtual woodland walk, and will meet a variety of Irish wildflowers and trees of the woods and meadows. They will hear plants “sing” through the Music of the Plants biofeedback device, a magical experience for children and adults alike! They will hear traditional stories about native Irish trees and flowers, will get to ask Marina questions about the plants and trees of the forest, and will learn to draw an Irish wildflower or tree.

A virtual visit consists of 2 sessions: Session One is a pre-recorded video, and Session Two is a live virtual visit.

Session 1 (pre-recorded, 15 mins for Jr Sr Infants and 25 mins for the older classes)

An introduction to native Irish wildflowers and trees through storytelling, drawing, and music. The children will meet several plants and trees in an old oak woodland, and will be able to hear trees and flowers “sing” through the Music of the Plants biofeedback device. They will hear traditional stories about plants, and learn to draw some native wildflowers and trees using colour chalk and glitter glue.

Session 2 (live, approximately 45 mins)

The live virtual visit includes a virtual walk in the old oak woodland and meadow in county Clare, learning to identify some native Irish trees and flowers, and hearing the plants sing through the Music of the Plants biofeedback device. Alternatively, it can inlcude a colourful slideshow about Irish wildflowers and native trees, followed by a Music of the Plants demonstration, and a fun wildflower drawing tutorial.

The format of the virtual visit can vary and will be arranged in consultation with the school. Schools can book up to 5 live 45 min sessions.

These sessions are highly interactive and very enjoyable for the children.

Worksheets & teacher's notes:

Notes for teacher will be provided with relevant links; lesson outline will include curriculum links.

Classes: Junior infants to 6th class

Materials: Coloured chalk, pencils, paper, glitter glue, (optional) dried flowers and leaves.

Long ago, people lived in harmony with the plants and trees all around them. Wise women and men knew how to treat plants and all beings of the Earth with love and respect, and how to use healing plants for medicine. Irish stories are full of references to healing plants, and Irish placenames often point to a time when plants and trees were revered, cared for, and protected. It is time for us to look at our past, and look at the natural world through the eyes of a child, to help us create a happier future where we can live in harmony with nature once again.

In a virtual visit with Marina Levitina, the children will get to go on a virtual woodland walk, and will meet a variety of Irish wildflowers and trees of the woods and meadows. They will hear plants “sing” through the Music of the Plants biofeedback device, a magical experience for children and adults. They will hear traditional stories about native Irish trees and flowers, will get to ask Marina questions about the plants and trees of the forest, and will learn to draw an Irish wildflower or tree.

A virtual visit consists of 2 sessions: Session One is a pre-recorded video, and Session Two is a live virtual visit.

Session 1 (pre-recorded, 15 mins for Jr Sr Infants and 25 mins for the older classes)

An introduction to native Irish wildflowers and trees through storytelling, drawing, and music. The children will meet several plants and trees in an old oak woodland, and will be able to hear trees and flowers “sing” through the Music of the Plants biofeedback device. They will hear traditional stories about plants, and learn to draw some native trees and flowers.

Session 2 (live, approximately 45 mins)

The live virtual visit includes a virtual walk in the old oak woodland and meadow in county Clare, learning to identify some native Irish trees and flowers, and hearing the plants sing through the Music of the Plants biofeedback device. Alternatively, it can inlcude a colourful slideshow about Irish wildflowers and native trees, followed by a Music of the Plants demonstration, and a fun and engaging wildflower drawing tutorial. The format of the virtual visit can vary and will be arranged in consultation with the school. Schools can book up to 5 live 45 min sessions.

In these sessions, we will focus on the Autumn forest, and will learn about the traditional Celtic calendar and the traditions associated with Lughnasadh and Samhain (the Celtic New Year, or Halloween).

These sessions are highly interactive and very enjoyable for the children.

Worksheets & teacher's notes:

Notes for teacher will be provided with relevant links; lesson outline will include curriculum links.

In-person school visits

See detail below on in-person visits or contact Marina for more information:

Marina inspires children to connect with the wild plants and trees around them, and to learn about biodiversity through the arts and through spending time in nature. We learn about the variety of traditional uses of native Irish plants and trees, while also learning that plants are living beings that play a crucial role in the life of the planet. This knowledge is vital during this time of climate change and biodiversity crisis

As part of her workshops, Marina brings the Music of the Plants biofeedback device that transcodes electromagnetic impulses from a plant or tree into audible sound, creating an unforgettable experience for the children and adults alike.

A full day visit can consist of two sessions for two different classes/age groups. A series of visits can also be scheduled where Marina can come to your school once a week for several weeks, and the children will learn about a variety of plants and trees.

Testimonials

  • "Fantastic experience, students learned so much from Marina and really enjoyed the activities." - Flagmount Central NS, Clare
  • "Lovely day for pupils and staff-a pleasure to work with." - Kiltiernan NS, Galway
Read more →
  • "The children loved to chat about the plants that they see in their home and school environments. We all enjoyed and learned from Marina's knowledge, passion and good nature. How she related to plants was impactful for us all." - St Brigid's NS
  • "My class really enjoyed the interactive virtual session with Marina. She had them all really enjoyed and I would highly recommend booking it." - Killian NS
  • "Marina was very nice, well prepared, enthusiastic about her topic and fun - engaging for our pupils to mix with" - Moneenroe NS
  • "Marina's love of nature and the artistic element really engaged the children." - Templeorum NS
  • "An excellent interactive event which promotes student engagement and questioning and answering. The closest thing to being in the wood, without actually being in the wood" - St Michael's NS
  • "A wonderful, child friendly, engaging session for children of all ages." - Ballymore NS
  • "Marina was very enthusiastic about her subject and drew us all in with her knowledge and passion. Her workshop was well planned out and the children were engaged at all times. They were encouraged to ask questions throughout the workshop and felt a great sense of pride when they showed their drawings to Marina. We were all really taken with the idea of plants making music and it has really highlighted to us that all plants are alive and that we need to show them respect. It really was a great experience for the children and teacher alike!" - St Joseph's NS
  • "In a recent Live Zoom with Marina, the students were brought on a virtual tour of the local woods, while Marina discussed all things plants, trees and animals with them. It was a most interesting and educational experience for all." - Anon.
  • "We really enjoyed our visit we looked at the red clover and learnt so much. Marina is always so cheerful and seems to love what she does and that enthusiasm spills over in to the children" - St Joseph's ns, Rathdonnell, Donegal
  • "Marina was brilliant on the zoom. She was easy to contact and very friendly. The children and I really enjoyed her session." - St. Feichin's NS, Galway
  • "Marina was fabulous to deal with. She made the whole process so easy and the lesson was perfectly pitched for my class." - Annagh Hill NS, Galway
  • "Marina adapted her lesson to really suit what we wanted to learn more about. It was very engaging and the children were really exposed to the magic of nature.." - Murrintown NS, Wexford
  • "The children & I really enjoyed this session with Marina." - Spa National School, Kerry
  • "Marina shares her passion for nature in an infectious and warm manner. The class loved her." - Raheen Wodd Community NS, Clare
  • "Marina presented three workshops over 2 days to our Junior Infant Classes. They were hugely informative, interesting and engaging for the children and teachers. Marina captured our imaginations and helped to foster a love of all nature. The topic was particularly relevant to our Green Schools theme of Biodiversity. Thank you to all involved. We would love to be able to access these workshops in the future." - St. Laurence's NS, Kildare
  • "My class really enjoyed it and we learned so many new things about plants, trees and wildlife. They enjoyed the stories behind the name of the plants eg Meadow Sweet, Cuchulainn." - Merlin Woods NS, Galway
  • "Marina had a lovely way with the children. The children loved how they all got a chance to speak to her and ask questions. The virtual visit was very relaxing and engaging. Her voice is really calming. The class were coming in telling me about different trees and plants on the school grounds after break time. Marina really caught their interest. The device for hearing the plants sing was a topic of conversation for the rest of the day." - Kilcoona NS, Galway
  • "We really enjoyed the virtual visit and Marina was super." - St Augustines NS, Galway
  • "Marina was very knowledgeable and related well with the children. They all enjoyed the virtual visit and learned about plants in the local area. An appreciation of caring for our plants has been nurtured in the children also." - Killimor NS, Galway
  • "This was a fantastic experience for the children. It was something different and really connected well with what we had been working on in the classroom prior to the visit. Marina was so friendly and she really engaged well with the children. It was informative and interesting and I would highly recommend." - Ardrahan NS, Galway
  • "We really enjoyed our visit we looked at the red clover and learnt so much. Marina is always so cheerful and seems to love what she does and that enthusiasm spills over in to the children." - St Joseph's NS, Donegal
  • "Very rich learning experience, sparked thought and questions, enjoyed by all!" - Scoil Iosef Naofa, Clare
  • "Marina is such a wonderful speaker and really had the children engaged" - Dromindoora NS, Clare
  • "Students loved Marina's virtual visit. They enjoyed listening to the story and facts of the Hazel Tree. They also enjoyed the drawing aspect of the lesson. Marina is very good with the students. She even takes time to acknowledge their drawing individually, which students really like." - Flagmount Central NS, Clare
  • "Marina was wonderful to have visit our class (virtually)." - Spa NS., Kerry
  • "Very informative lessons. Children were engaged at all times. Great follow up at each session leading into the next lesson." - Kilcar NS, Donegal
  • "Marina had a passion for her subject which really came across during the zoom visit. Her enthusiasm and her knowledge of the subject really inspired both myself and the children." - Tineteriffe NS, Limerick

Additional Information

  • Provides in-person visits
  • Provides virtual visits
  • Caters for special needs
  • Provides practical/hands-on activities
  • Provides field trips

Contact Details

Mobile:
087 2601017
Email:
levitiml@tcd.ie
Website:
www.wildplantscansing.ie/