About
Dundalk Institute of Technology (DKIT) is the focal point for higher education and research on the Belfast-Dublin corridor, serving the North Leinster, South Ulster region of Ireland.
Challenge Area Activities
Community Involvement
Take on an award-winning environmental education programme and citizen science initiative based at the Centre of Freshwater and Environmental Studies (CFES) at Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT).
Take on an award-winning environmental education programme and citizen science initiative based at the Centre of Freshwater and Environmental Studies (CFES) at Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT).
Programme Breakdown
H2O Heroes engages primary and post-primary school students, families and communities in exploring science through the lens of water quality, biodiversity and sustainability. A central component of this dynamic programme is its structured volunteering pathway for young people.
The H2O Heroes volunteering programme allows students, from Transition Year and beyond, to contribute to real-world science communication and public engagement activities, while building leadership, communication, and civic responsibility. Through this partnership, student volunteers will play an active role in environmental education by supporting workshops, citizen science projects and science festivals.
Volunteers are trained and mentored by DkIT staff and researchers in science communication, environmental literacy and inclusive facilitation techniques. These skills not only contribute to the success of the H2O Heroes programme, but also equip volunteers with transferable competencies that benefit their personal development and future education or careers.
Programme Breakdown - Bronze
Weeks 1-4: Induction, Training & Garda Vetting
Weeks 4-6:Teambuilding, Diversity, Inclusion and Introduction to Rivers
Weeks 7-11: Plan, develop, and deliver science workshops or community engagement activities.
Weeks 12-13:Reflect on personal development and learning, share experiences with peers and mentors, visual presentation.
Week 13:Showcase projects
Programme Breakdown - Silver
Throughout the 26 weeks (across two academic semester, Sept-Dec & Jan-May), participants will engage in community outreach and reflective practice, documenting their progress for Gaisce. They will be mentored by trained facilitators who guide them through the learning journey.
Week 1-4:Induction, Training & Garda Vetting
Week 5-6:Teambuilding, Diversity, Inclusion and Introduction to Rivers
Week 7-12:Workshop & Project Planning – Phase 1. Start designing science workshops and community engagement events. Build facilitation and leadership confidence.
Week 13-18:Workshop Delivery – Phase 1. Delivery of science workshops and community engagement events. Collaboration with local community groups and organisations.
Week 19-24:Community Collaboration & Expanded Delivery – Phase 2 Expand engagement to wider community groups. Collaborate with local organisations for larger-scale outreach. Mentor Bronze-level volunteers where possible.
Week 25-26:Reflect on personal development and learning, share experiences with peers and mentors, visual presentation.
Programme Breakdown - Gold
Throughout the 52 weeks (across three semesters, Sept-Dec, Jan-May, June-Sept), participants will engage in community outreach and reflective practice, documenting their progress for Gaisce. They will be mentored by trained facilitators who guide them through the learning journey.
Week 1-4:Comprehensive induction for year-long journey, Training & Garda Vetting.
Week 4-6:Teambuilding, Diversity, Inclusion and Introduction to Rivers.
Week 7-12:Workshop & Project Planning – Phase 1. Start designing science workshops and community engagement events. Build facilitation and leadership confidence.
Week 13-18:Workshop Delivery – Phase 1. Delivery of science workshops and community engagement events. Collaboration with local community groups and organisations.
Week 19-24:Community Collaboration & Expanded Delivery – Phase 2 Expand engagement to wider community groups. Collaborate with local organisations for larger-scale outreach. Mentor Bronze and Silver-level volunteers where possible.
Week 25-50:Lead the development and delivery of summer camps and major community outreach initiatives. Build full leadership and project management experience.
Week 50-52:Reflect on personal development and learning, share experiences with peers and mentors, visual presentation of achievements.
The H2O Heroes volunteering programme allows students, from Transition Year and beyond, to contribute to real-world science communication and public engagement activities, while building leadership, communication, and civic responsibility. Through this partnership, student volunteers will play an active role in environmental education by supporting workshops, citizen science projects and science festivals.
Volunteers are trained and mentored by DkIT staff and researchers in science communication, environmental literacy and inclusive facilitation techniques. These skills not only contribute to the success of the H2O Heroes programme, but also equip volunteers with transferable competencies that benefit their personal development and future education or careers.
Programme Breakdown - Bronze
Weeks 1-4: Induction, Training & Garda Vetting
Weeks 4-6:Teambuilding, Diversity, Inclusion and Introduction to Rivers
Weeks 7-11: Plan, develop, and deliver science workshops or community engagement activities.
Weeks 12-13:Reflect on personal development and learning, share experiences with peers and mentors, visual presentation.
Week 13:Showcase projects
Programme Breakdown - Silver
Throughout the 26 weeks (across two academic semester, Sept-Dec & Jan-May), participants will engage in community outreach and reflective practice, documenting their progress for Gaisce. They will be mentored by trained facilitators who guide them through the learning journey.
Week 1-4:Induction, Training & Garda Vetting
Week 5-6:Teambuilding, Diversity, Inclusion and Introduction to Rivers
Week 7-12:Workshop & Project Planning – Phase 1. Start designing science workshops and community engagement events. Build facilitation and leadership confidence.
Week 13-18:Workshop Delivery – Phase 1. Delivery of science workshops and community engagement events. Collaboration with local community groups and organisations.
Week 19-24:Community Collaboration & Expanded Delivery – Phase 2 Expand engagement to wider community groups. Collaborate with local organisations for larger-scale outreach. Mentor Bronze-level volunteers where possible.
Week 25-26:Reflect on personal development and learning, share experiences with peers and mentors, visual presentation.
Programme Breakdown - Gold
Throughout the 52 weeks (across three semesters, Sept-Dec, Jan-May, June-Sept), participants will engage in community outreach and reflective practice, documenting their progress for Gaisce. They will be mentored by trained facilitators who guide them through the learning journey.
Week 1-4:Comprehensive induction for year-long journey, Training & Garda Vetting.
Week 4-6:Teambuilding, Diversity, Inclusion and Introduction to Rivers.
Week 7-12:Workshop & Project Planning – Phase 1. Start designing science workshops and community engagement events. Build facilitation and leadership confidence.
Week 13-18:Workshop Delivery – Phase 1. Delivery of science workshops and community engagement events. Collaboration with local community groups and organisations.
Week 19-24:Community Collaboration & Expanded Delivery – Phase 2 Expand engagement to wider community groups. Collaborate with local organisations for larger-scale outreach. Mentor Bronze and Silver-level volunteers where possible.
Week 25-50:Lead the development and delivery of summer camps and major community outreach initiatives. Build full leadership and project management experience.
Week 50-52:Reflect on personal development and learning, share experiences with peers and mentors, visual presentation of achievements.