Martina Butler

Subject(s):

Science, Geography

Curriculum Strands:

Natural environments (Geography), Living things (Science), Energy and forces (Science)

Counties catered for:

Donegal, Leitrim, Longford, Mayo, Roscommon, Sligo

Classes catered for:

All Classes, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th

Book in-person visit

Martina has created and presented her very popular range of nature and the environment themed workshops, through the Heritage in Schools Scheme for many years. She also provided similar workshops on behalf of Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon, Longford and Mayo Local Authorities and the National Parks and Wildlife Service. She has also designed and presented a variety of teacher in-service and Summer courses on behalf of the Department of Education and Skills.

School Outside is about nature discovery outdoors in your own school grounds or locality, based on the Primary Curriculum Framework. Workshops integrate all 5 areas of the curriculum including Environmental Studies and STEM education and are designed to facilitate students to become active participants in their own learning. Each workshop starts with a short introduction indoors before the group explores nature outside followed by a review activity at the end.

One of the following workshop themes can be provided per visit, but each workshop is adapted to suit different class groups and other requirements. Schools can choose to have 3-4 workshop sessions per full day visit depending on the location of one or more of the workshops i.e., the school grounds or to a habitat / site elsewhere.

Testimonials

• "Martina is psssionate about her work and relates very well with the children. She is always very well prepared and holds the children's attention throughout."

• "Martina was one of the best specialists ever to visit our school. She was so enthusiastic and was very well prepared."

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• "Martina was excellent with the children. It was the first time for many of the children to visit Rosses Point beach and many have been back since and looked in the rock pools for sea creatures. A great day out."

• "All teachers commented that the presentations was excellent and the children learned a lot from it."

• "Martina created a lovely learning environment. She was able to elicit a huge amount of information from the children. Great visual presentation. Excellent questioning and recapping. Students were engrossed."

• "Martina infused enthusiasm, energy and great interest in equal measures in our biodiversity workshop today where we firstly viewed and discussed an interactive presentation in the classroom, followed by a field trip to our local Lough Arrow SPA. There we explored the indigenous flora and fauna of the lakeshore, learning so much through Martina's expertise. With pooters, containers and nets we examined and learned the names of a plethora of minibeasts. Returning to the classroom we were able to relate to and appreciate the interconnectedness of all the life form, both plant and animal, which we had just observed at close quarters. Today's workshop was a thoroughly enjoyable experience for students and teachers alike, thanks to Martina. Go raibh maith agat!"

• "Staff and Pupils thoroughly enjoyed Martina's visits and found both visits educational and enjoyable."

• "Martina is fantastic and has a wonderful way with the children. Her knowledge is extensive and her ability to convey this to the children is excellent." - Ballyforan NS

• "Fantastic learning experience for all pupils. They were engaged and interested all day. Martina quickly established a rapport with them which was conducive to learning . I was very impressed with the whole day and we all learned lots in a fun and interactive way- thanks!"

• "Very impressed how high level concepts were communicated by Martina and understood by the class groups."

• "Martina was superbly organised and shared her knowledge." - St. Columba's NS, Mayo

• "Very enjoyable visit. Would highly recommend to other schools. A lovely lady with a great way with the children." - St Patrick NS, Cavan

• "Great visit. Martina was engaging and extremely knowledgeable. The children enjoyed it immensely and learned a lot" - Keash NS, Sligo

• "Excellent facilitator. Very enthusiastic...great interaction with children.... very practical suggestions to improve biodiversity of school grounds ." - Anon.

• "Wonderful session she was able to tailor her approach to junior and senior classes. So knowledgeable." - St Baithin’s NS, Donegal

• "Fantastic visit. Martina is so vivacious & interesting. She has such a love of & enthusiasm for her subject. Very enjoyable & worthwhile. It linked in fabulously with our Green Schools." - Mount Talbot NS, Roscommon

• "Very knowledgeable facilitator, interacted well with children." - Foxford NS, Mayo