Stephen Mandal

Subject(s):

Science, History, Geography

Curriculum Strands:

Story (History), Local Studies (History), Early people and ancient societies (History), Life, society, work and culture in the past (History), Continuity and change over time (History), Myself and my Family (History), Human environments (Geography), Natural environments (Geography), Environmental awareness and care (Geography/Science), Living things (Science), Materials (Science)

Counties catered for:

Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow

Classes catered for:

2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th

Book in-person visit

Stephen’s visits involve SESE curriculum-based activities relating to archaeology, such as simulated excavations and local history activities. Stephen uses a fun, interactive and hands-on approach to make learning about history and archaeology fun for the children.

Stephen is a founding director of Dig it Kids, offering school programmes, educational camps, museum programmes and special events that include outdoor exploring. Dig it Kids also provides training workshops for schoolteachers and childcare workers, giving advice and practical guidance on bringing archaeology and history to life for children.

Testimonials

• "Lisanne and Steve were excellent. The pupils really engaged in all aspects of the call and loved every minute of it. They surprised themselves with their artistic abilities after being guided through it so well." - St Tolas NS, Clare

• "Highly recommend this lesson to any school" - Kilshanny NS, Clare

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• "Such an interactive lesson. Children were delighted to create their very own ringfort." - Fanore NS, Clare

• "The resources provided were so simple to use. Lisanne and Steve were very engaging and pitched the content perfectly for the age group. The instructions and use of craft cam made the process of building the castles easy for all students. The children were kept engaged at all times with stories and able to ask questions. The content was not rigid and followed whatever direction the children's questions and interests took it."

• "The pre-recorded video sparked the children's interest. Communication of requirements prior to live session was excellent. The children really enjoyed the Zoom, and they were guided step by step through their activities in a clear, friendly and fun manner."

• "Genuinely excellent experience and we will be actively looking to engage with Dig It Kids again in the future."

• "Every class should avail of this workshop. the hosts are very engaging and the session is very hands on and practical. the children were 100% focused and engaged and very proud of their finished artwork."

• "Stephen and Lisanne from Dig It Kids know their stuff and know how to make it engaging for pupils. I can only imagine their energy that would come through in a live session as it worked so well over Zoom. Lisanne is great with the technical support to make sure things run smoothly on the day and the 4th Class boys in my class really enjoyed all the history information about Kilkenny Castle and building their models."

• "The virtual visit with Lisanne and Stephen was excellent. The boys learned a lot about the Normans and were extremely engaged in both the story telling and the make and do."

• "Really enjoyed the session. Every aspect was very well organised and the speakers had tremendous knowledge and engaged fabulously with the children."

• "The children loved the workshops with Lisanne and Stephen and learnt a lot about the Celts. They really enjoyed how interactive the workshop was and they have created fabulous Celtic art as a result. All children were thoroughly engaged throughout, which is always a great measure!"

• "I never did a virtual lesson with the pupils in the class before and they were totally engrossed and engaged from start to finish. The specialists were very professional, helpful with technical support, knowledgeable in the topic of Celtic art in Medieval Ireland, and great fun!"

• "Clear crafting camera made it easy for boys to see what to do. Also the technology check previous to the day allowed me to focus on what to photocopy on card and what to have prepared."

• "The resources provided were so simple to use. Lisanne and Steve were very engaging and pitched the content perfectly for the age group. The instructions and use of craft cam made the process of building the castles easy for all students. The children were kept engaged at all times with stories and able to ask questions. The content was not rigid and followed whatever direction the children's questions and interests took it."

• "The specialists were very clued into the children's ages and abilities and were able to pitch the lessons appropriately."

• "Both the live and virtual video sessions were fantastic. Lisanne and Stephen engaged beautifully with the children."

• "Pupils really engaged and it was just like having a visitor in class. Presenters were enthusiastic and interesting."

• "Presenters worked so well together, seamless transitions from one part of the activity to the next, great rapport with the pupils, good pace to the lesson."

• "It grabbed the children's attention and ignited their curiosity. The tutors paced the live session to match the pupils progress with the practical activity and were also entertaining in their delivery."

• "Great engagement with the children, even in difficult circumstances of virtual lesson and bad connection issues. Made topic relevant to all age groups."

• "The pre-recorded video sparked the children's interest. Communication of requirements prior to live session was excellent. The children really enjoyed the zoom and they were guided step by step through their activities in a clear, friendly and fun manner."

• "It was really well pitched for the children. They were interested and engaged throughout the session. They all really enjoyed it. The presenters were excellent."

• "The children really enjoyed the sessions, it was something different for them to enjoy and participate in, especially given the many limitations there are in schools at the moment. Lisanne and Stephen were fantastic, so encouraging and engaging."

• "I was so impressed by the Celtic art lesson provided by heritage in schools. The class got so much out of it. They were engaged throughout the video and art lesson and were delighted to have learnt so much in such a fun way"

• "Lisanne and Steve taught my third class about oak galls and The Stone Age. This enthusiastic pair immersed the children in hands-on inquiry learning and provided us with exceptional learning experiences. I can only use superlatives for what they do in the workshops. They are organized, clear and in tune with the children. They engaged the children in critical thinking and inquiry learning and therefore the children gained the maximum from the workshops."

• "Really excellent, very enthusiastic and excited. Really enjoyed the lesson. Good use of group work - lots of hands on activities. Lots of adult support and assistance for session."

• "A very enjoyable visit and the girls learned so much."

• "Very enjoyable presentation - well done!" - Coars NS, Kerry

• "The children learned lots from the visit and from the resources. It was entertaining and interactive and very child centred." - Doonaha NS, Clare

• "'Celtic Art' -A most enjoyable and worthwhile experience for the children. This appealed to every pupil and they thoroughly enjoyed and put huge effort into their art pieces" - Lenamore NS, Kerry

• "Great workshop, thoroughly enjoyed by the children." - Adamstown NS, Wexford

• "They were extremely engaging and held the children's attention excellently, using zoom for these type of activities can be difficult as children miss the physical presence and engagement from a visiting person, but this webinar was brilliant and held their focus which for a 6th class can be tricky." - St. Edwards NS, Sligo

• "The children learned lots from the visit and from the resources. It was entertaining and interactive and very child centred." - Doonaha NS, Clare