Offaly school wins a fantastic outdoor classroom

A greener future starts with young minds! Ard Scoil Chiaráin Naofa Clara has won an incredible outdoor classroom, bringing nature-based learning to life.

Coill na nÓg ("the children’s forest") promotes native trees and hedgerows across schools in Ireland. eFlow, operator of Dublin’s M50 toll system, partnered with ‘Biodiversity in Schools’ and planted 4000 plus trees nationwide through this initiative.

Registrations opened in October 2024 for primary and secondary schools. Selected students and teachers planted trees using Coill na nÓg kits, while all schools were encouraged to explore local woodlands and hedgerows.

As part of social media competition ran in December 2024, eFlow awarded outdoor classrooms worth €4,000 each to three winning schools. Outdoor classrooms have been found to enhance well-being, creativity, and focus while reducing anxiety and screen time effects. Exposure to soil boosts serotonin and improves mood. These dynamic spaces foster eco-literacy and feature benches for discussions, raised beds for gardening, and wildlife signs to inspire curiosity about biodiversity.

Ard Scoil Chiaráin Naofa Clara, Offaly won by showcasing their tree planting efforts through a social media post. They enhanced green spaces in their school by planting a mini woodland with native trees, fostering biodiversity and a deeper connection to nature.

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Commenting on this initiative, Darren McGivney, Turas Mobility Services’ eFlow Marketing Lead commented “We are thrilled to support Coill na nÓg and help bring nature-based learning to schools across Ireland. These outdoor classrooms not only enhance students’ well-being but also inspire a lifelong appreciation for biodiversity and sustainability. Congratulations to Gort Community School for their outstanding participation!"

Róisín Barton-Murray, Public Information and Enforcement Manager at Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) said “Transport Infrastructure Ireland are thrilled to sponsor these outdoor classroom awards. This initiative aligns with our commitment to fostering environmental education and sustainability. We believe these outdoor classrooms will provide invaluable learning experiences for students, inspiring them to appreciate and protect our natural world.”

With thousands of trees planted and outdoor classrooms transforming schools, this initiative paves the way for a greener, more sustainable future for Ireland’s

students.

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