Project Updates
The Lough Erne Schools Convention is an education initiative being delivered by the Share Discovery Village in partnership with the Lough Erne Landscape Partnership. Now in its 4th year a total of 1500 children have so far benefitted from this unique experience.
We had a great time last week welcoming pupils from the area as we hosted the Lough Erne Schools Convention. We were so glad to see pupils having fun on the water and learning about the Lough Erne natural heritage through workshops. Many thanks to all organisations involved for helping with the success of the convention.
Over the course of 3 days, pupils took part in bulb planting, fossil studies, understanding about moths, learning about seeds and trees, leave no trace, lessons on bees and mini beast hunts! As well as getting time canoeing on the Lough, the pupils were able to learn about local natural heritage and biodiversity through the workshops.
During five days in late September and early October 2021 the Lough Erne Landscape Partnership hosted the second ever Lough Erne Schools Convention at the Share Discovery Village, Lisnaskea.
Previously held in 2019, the Lough Erne Schools Convention was a one-day event, however this year, due to Covid19 restrictions, groups of enthusiastic Key Stage 2 pupils from local primary schools have been welcomed over a series of five days. Each day, pupils from P5 to P7 got to experience Upper Lough Erne from their canoes with the Share Discovery Village and learn about its inhabitants and environments. The following workshops were delivered as part of the convention:
- Volcanoes and Earthquakes with Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark (delivered by successful participants from Project 10: Heritage Champions.)
- Pond dipping and what lives in the lake with Waterways Ireland
- Seeds to trees and their lifecycles with RSPB NI
- Mini beasts and bugs with Buglife
- Bulb planting and biodiversity with Fermanagh and Omagh District Council Biodiversity Team
In total thirteen different schools attended bringing over 500 pupils to the Convention, and despite a couple of rain showers all teachers, pupils and providers enjoyed the activities provided. This project has received part funding from the DAERA Challenge Fund.
Unfortunately due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, the Lough Erne Schools Convention has been postponed. This one day event was due to run in September 2020, however due to restrictions on groups of people, education provision, transport and social distancing requirements, it is currently not feasible to deliver this event.
356 local children from 15 schools, mainly in Primary 6, had the opportunity to spend half of the day out canoeing on the lough with Share Discovery Village and Erne Paddlers and the other half of the day was spent attending nature based educational workshops with specialist organisations including: the RSPB, Fermanagh Beekeepers Association, Waterways Ireland, Butterfly Conservation, Bug Life, Source to Tap, Marble Arch Global Geopark and Fermanagh and Omagh District Council.
The Lough Erne Schools Convention will be held annually for the next four years.