Skip to main content

H2O Heroes

Year Awarded

2023

Amount

€54,336

  • Organisation:Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT)
  • Audience:Primary Students
  • Format:Non-formal Education
  • Location:Cavan, Louth, Monaghan
  • Topic:Science

Project Summary

H2O Heroes is an action orientated education package designed for primary school children (age 9-12) and is aimed at introducing and exploring key components of the science behind our water resources. H2O Heroes frames STEM activities into a catchment-based framework to explore collaborative approaches to water quality. It demonstrates the importance of both science and our natural water habitats in our everyday lives – with a clear focus on the link between human activity and water quality and quantity – while ensuring that learning remains fun. Environmental Education (EE) initiatives like H2O Heroes are essential to form environmentally responsible and active citizens. H2O Heroes targets primary school children and teachers from geographical areas and groups that are historically under-represented as regards access to STEM education. The goal of the H2O Heroes programme is to inspire, inform and engage. This enables participants to become real life H2O Heroes and ambassadors for the protection of our most valuable resource, water (H2O), as well as recognise the value of science in their everyday lives. H2O Heroes is specifically designed to equip children, Ireland’s future environmental custodians, with the necessary skillsets to ensure that environmental awareness becomes a keystone in both their and Ireland’s future. H2O Heroes not only empowers children but also equips teachers with both the tools (including our ‘AquaInverts’ smartphone application) and support to continue learning and participating in our programme in the longer-term as part of our teacher ‘H2O Superheroes’ initiative.

Evaluation Findings

Challenges:
Challenge 1: Staff retention was difficult.
Cause: Short-term contracts led to staff turnover.
Solution: Developed training materials, handover processes, and used trained student volunteers to maintain continuity.

Challenge 2: Scheduling visits with schools was complex.
Cause: Conflicting timetables and unexpected closures.
Solution: Maintained flexibility and worked closely with school leads to adapt plans.

Challenge 3: Outdoor workshops were disrupted by weather.
Cause: Poor weather affected activities like macroinvertebrate sampling.
Solution: Created indoor alternatives using preserved specimens, videos, and experiments.

Challenge 4: Collecting consent for data was slow.
Cause: Complicated consent process reduced response rates.
Solution: Simplified forms and provided clear information to schools.

Findings:
1. H2O Heroes engaged over 1,500 children across Louth, Cavan, and Monaghan, with a strong focus on rural and DEIS schools.
2. The programme improved science engagement, environmental literacy, and community involvement, reaching underrepresented groups in STEM.
3. Children showed increased confidence in practical science skills, especially in identifying and counting macroinvertebrates.
4. Awareness of water sources improved, revealing initial knowledge gaps and highlighting the programme’s relevance.
5. Attitudes toward science became more positive, with 92% of children enjoying the workshop and describing it as fun, interesting, and exciting.
6. Teachers praised the programme’s quality, curriculum alignment, and its ability to inspire students who don’t usually engage with science.
7. The findings support continued investment in hands-on, place-based science education that empowers children as environmental stewards.

Learnings:
1. The programme significantly improved students’ understanding of water systems, biodiversity, and environmental stewardship, with clear gains in confidence and knowledge.
2. Teachers praised the hands-on, engaging format and valued the opportunity for students to meet real scientists and explore environmental topics.
3. Local relevance was key to engagement, with children connecting more deeply to science through their own rivers, lakes, and communities.
4. The project showed strong potential to extend learning beyond the classroom, sparking interest in family and community-based environmental action.
5. Inclusive design ensured accessibility for diverse learners, with strong participation from DEIS and rural schools.
6. Mixed-method evaluation, including drawings and open responses, captured rich insights and highlighted the value of child-centered, research-informed outreach.
7. These findings will guide the development of a more inclusive, place-based, and far-reaching version of H2O Heroes that fosters lifelong environmental responsibility.