The earlier a child thinks about the future, and the earlier they set their goals high, the more likely they are to achieve. By showing primary age children what higher education is, we can give them something to aim for. It also shows them that higher education and education is not all about subjects that you study in school; it can also be about your hobbies-: music, drama, dance or sports. By introducing primary children to higher education in a fun way we are helping them to see that higher education could be a choice for them.
professor Fluffy is a programme developed by the University of Liverpool and has proven to be a successful way to introduce primary school pupils to third level.
Four schools were involved in this primary school initiative:
- Scoil Mhuire Fatima/North Mon CBS (6th class)
- Scoil Aiseiri Chriost, Farranree (5th class)
- St. Mary’s on the Hill, Knocknaheeny (6th class) and
- Scoil Cholmcille, Blarney St. CBS (5th class)
The half day campus visits took place on June 17th, 20th, 22nd and 23rd. On arrival in UCC, the group comprising of pupils, teachers and parents were met by UCC staff along with the Student Ambassadors. The group then proceeded to Boole 1 for a brief welcome meeting and presentation. Boole lecture theatres were chosen specifically in order that the children would experience sitting in a large lecture theatre just like university students.
The Boole Library kindly facilitated a 20 minute library tour for the groups. The library and the sheer volume of books it houses proved to be a huge source of interest to the pupils during Session 1 in the schools. Children found it hard to imagine that so many books could be contained under one roof. As a result, UCC staff felt that it would be important to let the children see the library if at all possible during their visit to UCC.
After the library tour, UCC Student Ambassadors took the pupils on a personalised tour of the UCC campus. According to feedback received, pupils enjoyed this opportunity to get to know their Student Ambassadors while in small groups, giving the pupils plenty of opportunities to ask questions about student life, campus buildings as well as about the numerous traditions surrounding the Quad and the crest in UCC.
This was followed by a ceremony where each of the pupils received a certificate to mark the completion of the programme and recognise their efforts in undertaking this initiative. Group photos were taken and copies of these were given to the school so they would have a permanent reminder of their visit to UCC and the programme.
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