The Blue Star Programme introduces participants (pupils, teachers, parents and the wider community) to the European Union, what it means and how it works. The aim of the Programme is to foster better knowledge and understanding of the EU and how it affects our lives among Irish primary pupils through fun, creative classroom projects and activities.
The Programme is designed to foster a strong sense of citizenship and leadership among participants that goes far beyond the school walls and into the wider community.
Pupils of all ages, from primary schools all over Ireland, are challenged to get creative and think about Europe by carrying out projects in relation to four key elements: the history, geography, culture and creativity, and Institutions of the EU.
The Programme is designed to be as curriculum friendly as possible for teachers so it can fit in with lesson plans already in place.
It also aims to draw in the wider school and local community and to encourage parents to engage and get involved.
One of the advantages of this Programme is its flexibility: the entire school can complete the Programme or just individual classes can participate.
Most of all though, this is a really fun Programme that encourages pupils and teachers to be as creative as possible in their project work, particularly in the use of online technologies and tools.
European Movement Ireland is the national implementing body for the Blue Star Programme. The Programme is a venture of the Communicating Europe Initiative, supported by the Office of the Minister of State for European Affairs, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Department of Education, the European Commission Representation in Ireland and the European Parliament Liaison Office in Ireland.
For more information on the Blue Star Programme and to find out how your school can get involved, contact: bluestar@europeanmovement.ie or call the team on 01 662 5815.
The European Commission has developed an educational toolkit with activities to bring green topics into the classroom. It includes background facts on environmental topics, as well as a list of inspiring project examples and activities that students can take in their daily lives to protect our planet.
The toolkit aims to help post-primary school teachers discuss sustainability issues with their students and encourages young Europeans to protect our planet by offering:
The toolkit can be accessed in English or Irish.
Further information can be found on the campaign website https://dingdong-challenge.campaign.europa.eu/en
