Bluestar Project
The Blue Star Programme is a Programme for primary schools across Ireland. The Programme is a venture of the Communicating Europe Initiative, supported by the European Commission Representation in Ireland.
The idea of the Programme is simple: to foster better understanding and knowledge of the European Union and how it affects our lives among Irish primary pupils through classroom projects and activities. This will be done by examining four key areas relating to the EU –
How Does It Work?
Teams of students 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 the history, geography, culture and creativity, and Institutions of the EU.
Each participating school is required to carry out projects and tasks, incorporating elements that include information about:
What Is Involved?
Participating schools submit an Action Plan to the Blue Star National Coordinator outlining the goals they hope to achieve over the course of the school year. At the end of the year, schools are required to submit a Final Report outlining how each of the four key elements (historical, geographical, cultural and creative, and Institutional) were explored over the course of the year. Schools are also required to host an event for Europe Day such as an art exhibition, concert, parade or food fair. Each school’s submission is assessed by the National Coordinator and a Judging Panel. All schools that successfully complete the Blue Star Programme are awarded an EU Flag and a Blue Star certificate signed by the Minister for European Affairs.
Over 32 schools, small and large, from around Ireland were awarded their Blue Stars in June 2012 (the pilot year) and the feedback from students and teachers alike has been overwhelmingly positive.
The idea of the Programme is simple: to foster better understanding and knowledge of the European Union and how it affects our lives among Irish primary pupils through classroom projects and activities. This will be done by examining four key areas relating to the EU –
- · Historical
- · Geographical
- · Cultural
- · Institutional
How Does It Work?
Teams of students 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 the history, geography, culture and creativity, and Institutions of the EU.
Each participating school is required to carry out projects and tasks, incorporating elements that include information about:
- The foundation and development of the European Union
- The cultural and linguistic diversity of Europe
- What the European Union does and how its work affects the lives of citizens
What Is Involved?
Participating schools submit an Action Plan to the Blue Star National Coordinator outlining the goals they hope to achieve over the course of the school year. At the end of the year, schools are required to submit a Final Report outlining how each of the four key elements (historical, geographical, cultural and creative, and Institutional) were explored over the course of the year. Schools are also required to host an event for Europe Day such as an art exhibition, concert, parade or food fair. Each school’s submission is assessed by the National Coordinator and a Judging Panel. All schools that successfully complete the Blue Star Programme are awarded an EU Flag and a Blue Star certificate signed by the Minister for European Affairs.
Over 32 schools, small and large, from around Ireland were awarded their Blue Stars in June 2012 (the pilot year) and the feedback from students and teachers alike has been overwhelmingly positive.