Wool in School bigging up ‘the fibre of the future’
“Wool,” says Wool in School founder Lorna McCormack, “is the fibre of the future.
“It is a natural and sustainable resource, with a mountain of uses. It’s time to explore and elaborate on the benefits of wool.”
Lorna, a ‘fibre artist’ and mother of four, set up Wool in School with the aim “to inspire students to be creative and curious about new uses for an abundant, natural and locally produced fibre”.
“I teach the children crafts using wool, needle felting and wet felting,” she says. “Children will have the opportunity to try carding and spinning on a drop spindle.
“They will explore different items made with wool — very different to the woolly jumper. Children will also learn about the benefits of wool on the environment.”
“As a mother,” adds Lorna, who works with sheep and alpaca farmers, “I feel it is important to share my knowledge and insight into the uses of wool for the next generation — showing them the exciting uses wool will have in their future is vital as we move to a sustainable and eco-friendly environment.
“Today’s children are closely involved in the conversation in how we can stop climate change. Noting the burden we have placed on our environment with plastics, carbon and damaging resources, our youth are looking for solutions. Wool has its place in this vital change.
“With so many benefits, Wool in School, with the support of various Irish mills and businesses across Ireland, are bringing this natural resource to the forefront of the conversation.
“Showing children the benefits of wool through interactive, informative workshops and our innovative Wool in School trollies, we are linking the past, present and future of wool.”
The benefits of wool and how it was used in the past will also be explored in workshops with the Education and Outreach Department at NMI – Archaeology.
The two-hour workshops will take
Wool is “a natural and sustainable resource, with a mountain of use”, according to Wool in School founder Lorna McCormack
place on Wednesday and Thursday, February 5&6, with both primary and post-primary students.
For more information, see www. facebook.com/woolinschool/ or www.museum.ie/Archaeology/ Explore-Learn/Schools-Teachers/ Primary/Wool-in-School, or contact the Museum’s booking office at bookings@museum.ie.
‘Showing children the benefits of wool through interactive, informative workshops, we are linking the past, present and future of wool’