About
The Learning Hub at Leinster House is an education initiative led by the Oireachtas Parliamentary Education Team. Its goal is to bring learning to life by engaging students with Irish democracy.
Challenge Area Activities
Personal Skill:
Participants can take part in the Learning Hub at Leinster House's Gaisce programme and learn the ins and outs of how our government operates.
For more information on when students can take part in this programme, please contact the Oireachtas Parliamentary Education Team directly
Participants can take part in the Learning Hub at Leinster House's Gaisce programme and learn the ins and outs of how our government operates.
For more information on when students can take part in this programme, please contact the Oireachtas Parliamentary Education Team directly
Programme Breakdown
See the breakdown of the Exploring Democracy programme here:
Week 1: Introduction to Democracy
Objective: Understand the basic concept of democracy.
Activities:Interactive presentation on what democracy is, followed by a Q&A session.
Week 2: Rights and Responsibilities
Objective: Understand the rights and responsibilities of citizens in a democracy.
Activities: Interactive workshop on rights and responsibilities, followed by a group activity to create a "Rights and Responsibilities" charter.
Week 3: The History of Democracy in Ireland
Objective: Learn about the history and development of Democracy in Ireland.
Activities: Storytelling session about key historical events, followed by a timeline creation activity.
Week 4:The Role of Government
Objective:Understand the structure and functions of the Irish Government.
Activities:Role-playing game where students act as different Government officials.
Week 5: The Importance of Voting
Objective: Learn why voting is important in a Democracy.
Activities: Mock election with students using Oireachtas resources.
Week 6: Political Parties and Their Roles
Objective: Understand what political parties are and their roles in a Democracy.
Activities: Online research activity followed by a group discussion on different political parties in Ireland.
Week 7: How Laws are Made
Objective: Learn about the legislative process in Ireland.
Activities: Simulation of a Dáil session where students propose and debate a new law.
Week 8: Local Government
Objective: Learn about the role and functions of local government.
Activities: Guest speaker session with a local councillor/Mayor.
Week 9: Community Involvement
Objective: Understand the importance of community involvement in democratic processes.
Activities: Community project planning session where students brainstorm and plan a small community project.
Week 10: Media and Democracy
Objective: Learn about the role of media in a democracy.
Activities: Media literacy workshop.
Week 11: Debating Skills
Objective: Develop debating skills and understand their importance in a democracy.
Activities: Debating workshop with practice debates on age-appropriate topics.
Week 12: Preparing for the Future.
Objective: Reflect on what has been learned and how to apply it in the future.
Activities: Reflection session where students share what they have learned and how they can be active citizens.
Week 13: Wrap Up/Discussion
Activities: Tour and face-to-face session in Leinster House, if possible. If not, a virtual tour of Leinster House and a viewing of proceedings.
Week 1: Introduction to Democracy
Objective: Understand the basic concept of democracy.
Activities:Interactive presentation on what democracy is, followed by a Q&A session.
Week 2: Rights and Responsibilities
Objective: Understand the rights and responsibilities of citizens in a democracy.
Activities: Interactive workshop on rights and responsibilities, followed by a group activity to create a "Rights and Responsibilities" charter.
Week 3: The History of Democracy in Ireland
Objective: Learn about the history and development of Democracy in Ireland.
Activities: Storytelling session about key historical events, followed by a timeline creation activity.
Week 4:The Role of Government
Objective:Understand the structure and functions of the Irish Government.
Activities:Role-playing game where students act as different Government officials.
Week 5: The Importance of Voting
Objective: Learn why voting is important in a Democracy.
Activities: Mock election with students using Oireachtas resources.
Week 6: Political Parties and Their Roles
Objective: Understand what political parties are and their roles in a Democracy.
Activities: Online research activity followed by a group discussion on different political parties in Ireland.
Week 7: How Laws are Made
Objective: Learn about the legislative process in Ireland.
Activities: Simulation of a Dáil session where students propose and debate a new law.
Week 8: Local Government
Objective: Learn about the role and functions of local government.
Activities: Guest speaker session with a local councillor/Mayor.
Week 9: Community Involvement
Objective: Understand the importance of community involvement in democratic processes.
Activities: Community project planning session where students brainstorm and plan a small community project.
Week 10: Media and Democracy
Objective: Learn about the role of media in a democracy.
Activities: Media literacy workshop.
Week 11: Debating Skills
Objective: Develop debating skills and understand their importance in a democracy.
Activities: Debating workshop with practice debates on age-appropriate topics.
Week 12: Preparing for the Future.
Objective: Reflect on what has been learned and how to apply it in the future.
Activities: Reflection session where students share what they have learned and how they can be active citizens.
Week 13: Wrap Up/Discussion
Activities: Tour and face-to-face session in Leinster House, if possible. If not, a virtual tour of Leinster House and a viewing of proceedings.
