Number Trails

This project created a numeracy trail to inspire individuals and families to incorporate numbers and math into their lives. Anyone can participate along a numeracy trail, either alone, with family or with another group. They encourage purposeful outdoor learning and cater to all age groups. 

Men's Sheds based near public walking trails and equipped to make wooden objects took part in the project.  

The three Men's Sheds and their walking trails were: 

• Kilmacrennan Men's Shed and Ballykeeran Forest Trail, 

• Cloughanely Men's Sheds and Ballyconnel Woods, and  

• Donegal Town Men's Sheds and Rosslongyan Forest Trail. 

Men's Sheds members used their carpentry skills to design wooden leaves with the numbers one to ten on them. The numbers were then engraved into the wood for the visually impaired. They also designed 10 ladybirds with matching amounts of dots. The ladybirds were then nailed to the leaves and placed on wooden posts along popular local walking trails.

The three Men’s Sheds discussed the planning, design, and manufacture of the wooden ladybirds and leaves during the summer months. All three items were made and installed by mid-December 2024.  

This project allowed 34 older men who are highly skilled in woodwork to improve their literacy skills through practical learning experiences. The wooden ladybirds and leaves promote mathematical thinking and problem-solving among trail walkers.