Splash into Science
We all live in a catchment
Our Goal
Educating Young Minds
H2O Heroes 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.
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.
Sustainable Development Goals
at the core of H2O Heroes
Our Mission is Worth it!
Researchers at Dundalk Insitute of Technology within the Centre for Freshwater and Environmental Studies have ongoing research projects linked to the H2O Heroes programme. This research is led by Dr. Suzanne Linnane and Dr. Caroline Gilleran Stephens.
We investigate the impact that the H2O Heroes programme has promoting both science and environmental education in primary schools. We also investigate how effective our programme is at promoting intergenerational learning about the environment.
Our volunteers help us plan and prep for our events and become part of our volunteering community. Sign-up, get involved, log your volunteer hours and even get a prestigious DkIT ELEVATE AWARD.
Volunteers can also earn digital badges for gaining specific skills. You do not need to have a science background to volunteer with us.
One School at a Time
Educational Workshops
H20 Heroes is a science-based environmental education outreach programme based in DKIT and was set up to educate children about the importance and magic of water.
H₂O Mini Heroes
Suitable for: Junior Infants - 1st class (4 - 8 yrs old)
H₂O Heroes
Suitable for 4th class - 6th Class (ages 8-12 yrs old)
H₂O Super Heroes
Suitable for Primary School Teachers
United Youth Initiative
Suitable for ages 9-18
Try Our App Today!
The AquaInverts app was developed by H2O Heroes researchers at Dundalk Institute of Technology in partnership with the Atlantic Salmon Trust, the Oriel River Catchment and Coastal Association (ORCCA), Martin McGarrigle, Ken Whelan and the National Federation of Group Water Schemes (NFGWS) with support from the Local Area Waters Programme (LAWPRO) and Louth Leader.
This app has been developed to enable calculation of several macroinvertebrate metrics including the Citizen Science Stream Index (CSSI). The app is freely available and even has a user friendly beginners schools’ mode.
Who are We
H2O Heroes Beginnings
Dr. Suzanne Linnane, Dr. Caroline Gilleran Stephens and Kelsey Hammond set up H2O Heroes in 2017 to educate children about the importance and the magic of water…..it is pretty amazing.
Caroline and Suzanne work together to co-ordinate the H2O Heroes programme and bring real life science and lots of fun to primary schools, sadly Kelsey has returned to sunny California, we miss her!
Suzanne and Caroline are both lecturers in DkIT, in the Department of Agriculture, Food and Animal Health but you will often find them in a river or a lake.
They both love to ask questions and carry out lots of interesting environmental research in the Centre for Freshwater and Environmental Studies (CFES) at DkIT. Suzanne and Caroline love dogs, cake and all things water.
What We Do!
Action Packed Environmental Education Programme
"Just a quick email to thank you very much for an amazing experience, the children had a ball! They even forgot the ice cream van was waiting outside for them! They are still talking about the 'creatures' as we walked to the bridge to release them into the river. We clapped and cheered when they were released"
Get Involved!
Resources
Check out some of our trusted resources!
Dive into some of our go-to sources for all things water and its habitats. They’re fantastic places to kick off your exploration!