Explorers Education Programme

The Marine Institute’s Explorers Education Programme delivered its first-ever “Explorers Seashore Studies” workshop as Gaeilge at Marino Institute of Education (MIE), Dublin. Delivered as part of the Explorers pre-service training programme, the marine science workshops engaged over thirty student teachers completing their 4th Year science module at MIE. The immersive marine science learning experience conducted entirely in Irish included both classroom learning and a practical field trip to Bull Island’s seashore. Ms Sarah Murray, Assistant Lecturer in Gaeilge and Social Environmental and Scientific Education at MIE, praised the Explorers Programme for its practical approach, and highlighted “the resources being provided as Gaeilge are invaluable for both teachers and children in the classroom and on the shore.” Ms Murray added: "teachers play a crucial role in providing children with the opportunity to develop their competencies and skills, particularly as part of the new Primary School Curriculum Framework (2023). Ireland's rich marine heritage, marine life, and biodiversity are ideal themes for primary schools to use in shaping their educational experience." Please have a look at our full press release in English AND as Gaeilge at explorers.ie! https://lnkd.in/edQrbSHE https://lnkd.in/eeMbdc9V

It's that time of year again!! 🥳 We are now open to taking bookings from interested schools for our Healthy Oceans School Project Module and Ocean Champions Awards for 2025! 🔗https://bit.ly/3MVVbFP Please join us in spreading awareness about the importance of our oceans and the amazing ways it impacts all of us. Please visit https://bit.ly/3ZzVkGs for more information and to join the fun! We'll be accepting applications for the Ocean Champions School Projects & Awards until the 4th of April, 2025. We hope to see you!!! #keepexploring Marine Institute https://lnkd.in/e9yuNCbD

Dooagh NS, Achill, Mayo is the winner of Ocean Champions(OC) National Award 2023-24for their Healthy Ocean project ‘The Basking Sharks’. Their project highlighted importance of basking sharks to Achill.Students created sculptures on the shore&from marine litter.Over the past year they've done beach cleans,visited MI’s Newport Research Facility, worked with artists, learnt about work of experts from the Irish Basking Shark Group, produced e-books& campaigned for a sign to advise boaters&swimmers about respecting this species.  Presenting the award, Dr Rick Officer, CEO of MI, said, “Congrats to the children, teachers&all involved for incredible work about the return of basking sharks to Achill.Learning the history&engaging the comm in the importance of protecting them today is a great achievement." Basking Sharks are the 2nd largest species in the world.With about 10,000 sharks left worldwide, they're classified ‘Endangered’ &at risk of extinction.In the 1950s, they were plentiful in Ireland, but by the 80s numbers fell.Their fishery was closed worldwide in 2006 &in 2022, under Ireland's Wildlife Act, Basking Sharks were given further protection.There are now more sightings around the coast in Spring&Summer. Principal Irene Gielty said, “This was a magnificent project&we're delighted to be given the opportunity to work with Explorers&others.The award recognises the school's effort in being ocean champions.We've not only learned but also made a positive impact.” "The children took the lead&I'm proud of them for wanting to make a diff. I'll never forget the sense of collaboration&teamwork they achieved. As a small school,we set out to make an impact&its had a ripple effect on the parents, families, friends& others." Students also explored how living on Achill in the50s was, interviewing Brian McNeil, 1of the last living connections to the Basking Shark fishing industry in that era.Their interview with him provided incredible insight into fishing for sharks&the industry then. Dr Officer added, “Meeting fishers, scientists, shark experts, working with artists& Explorers Outreach Officer shows the children’s engagement &commitment to making a diff. It's helped raise awareness about the importance of protecting basking sharks, particularly Achill.” The Explorers Programme's Healthy Ocean School project&OC Award is the only ocean-themed award for primary schools in Ireland.It recognises the effort, commitment&collab of teachers, children, the wider community& the Outreach Officers who've engaged in the all-school project. 28 schools participated this year, creating healthy ocean projects with themes inc Marine STEAM, Ocean literacy, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)&Marine Outdoor Education. There were 8winners around the coast. Each used marine themes&involved the whole school. Stand-out entries also engaged with wider community to make a positive diff, raising awareness about impacts the ocean has&that we have on the ocean&creating change.

For World Oceans Day(8/6),the Marine Inst is pleased to announce15 primary schools shortlisted for Explorers Programme’s Ocean Champion Awards2023-2024. Patricia Orme, Corporate Services Dir of the MI:“Projects really highlight the value of ocean literacy themes being taught in schools&importance of community collab in changing how we care for our marine envt.” This year's the 20th anniversary of the term‘ocean literacy’. “The last 20years have seen the concept of OL grow in Ireland through the influence of the Explorers Education Programme working with schools&also its participation in World Oceans Day to celebrate our ocean planet collectively within communities.Its great to see >70% of healthy ocean project apps focus on OL &the arts in submissions,” said Ms Orme. “We're also delighted to see projects that focused on STEAM, SDGs&outdoor education. Projects showed how we engage with the ocean all over Ireland. “Some have children actively influencing members of their communities in behavioural changes. We were very impressed by interviews&artwork that engaged communities in learning about the intrinsic value of our ocean&working towards a sustainableblue future,”added Ms Orme. Included: art exhibitions, doc films;creation of rock sculptures&messages for tourists; learning about med research&generating social media campaigns; sharing influences of the ocean; designing boats&cooking with seaweeds&children singing about the sea in a national choir. “We look forward to announcing winners&presenting awards throughout June&celebrating World Oceans Day. Schools will receive awards under diff categories: Marine STEAM, Ocean Literacy&the Arts, SDGs&the Ocean, &Marine Outdoor education,” Ms Orme said. Dooagh National School, Achill, Co Mayo: Basking Sharks in Achill Scoil Cholmcille National School, Droim An Mhaoir, Moville, Co Donegal: Celebrating Greencastle's Maritime Heritage Glasheen Boys National School, Glasheen, Cork: Ocean Literacy and the Deep Sea Eagles Nest National School and Lettergesh National School, Renville Peninsula, Connemara, Co. Galway: Team Explorers Le Chéile National School, Roxboro Road, Limerick: Under the Sea Loreto Primary School, Dalkey, Co Dublin: Learning about and taking Care of our Local Seashore St. Nicholas' Parochial School, Waterside, Galway: We are Ocean Champions St. Mary's National School, Ballygarrett, Gorey, Co Wexford: Seashore Safari Scoil Nuachabhail, Gortatlea, Ballymacelligott, Tralee, Co Kerry: Exploring Tralee bays Underwater World: “A Journey to Protect Sharks, Rays, and Skates in Our Local Waters" Scoil Naomh Bríd, Muff, Lifford, Co Donegal: Seaweed for Ocean and Human Health St. Andrew's National School, Bray, Co Wicklow: Squid Project Scoil Chiarain Special School, Glasnevin, Dublin: Caring for our Ocean Creatures Greystones Community National School, Greystones, Co Wicklow: Greystones Beach Monkstown Park Junior School, Monkstown, Co Dublin: Monkstown Ocean Schools

Sharks&mermaids of all shapes and sizes appeared on beaches in Dublin, Donegal, Galway&Waterford over the last few weeks for the Marine Institute’s Explorers Fin-Tastic Sharks&Mermaids Sculpture Challenge across Ireland, for European Maritime Day (EMD) In My Country. "Sand&rock sculptures, embellished with shells&seaweeds, are inspired by sharks found in Irish waters, like the Basking Shark with its huge mouth, the thresher shark and its amazing tail&the undulate skate with its beautiful markings,” remarked Dr Nóirín Burke, Explorers team manager. Lead by the Explorers team, Ireland is among 31 countries holding EMD In My Country events organised by the European Commission. Each year, EMD is celebrated to raise awareness about the oceans&their importance to our environment, economy and culture. The sculptures were built by 100s of families and friends in Sandycove Dublin, White Strand Malin Head in Donegal&Grattan Beach in Galway. The Explorers team celebrated Ireland’s marine biodiversity&raised awareness, exploring rockpools, seashore walks&picking litter. Crabs, anemones, fish&lots of limpets&sea snails were found.  A juvenile European eel was also seen in Galway. Gary Kendellen from Galway Atlantaquaria found it in a rockpool. "This was a very special find, as European eels are critically endangered&protected in Ireland. The numbers of juvenile eels reaching the coast have declined dramatically in recent years,” explained Sibéal Regan, Explorers outreach officer.  Sharks, skates&rays are among the most threatened species in the world. Marine scientists work with fishers and local communities to learn about local sightings-key to helping with conservation. Research has found that Irish waters are a perfect refuge for many shark, skate&ray species, like the basking shark&common stingray. The angel&white skate can also be found, mainly near sheltered areas like Galway&Tralee Bays.  "We were delighted to have Brid O’Connor from Purse Search Ireland, a nationwide citizen science project that searches for shark&skate egg cases. Finding&reporting cases on the seashore helps the Purse Search team to collate valuable info on the location of nursery areas. “Many of these species are slow growing, late to mature&produce few young. Humans have a negative impact too, from pollution, climate change&human disturbance. “This info is crucial for conservation, management&protection of vulnerable species&also helps support marine scientists&researchers establish their status here," Nóirín added. The Explorers EMD In My Country events further celebrated the recent publication of its Fin-Tastic Sharks+ resources that includes: An Intro to Elasmobranch for Children&the new Mermaid’s Purse Identification Key. Resources are freely available to download from www.explorers.ie &suitable for introducing cross curricular content as themed projects.    The Explorers Education Programme is funded by the Marine Institute&managed by Camden Education&Galway Atlantaquaria.  

The Marine Institute’s Explorers Education Programme has published its annual Ocean Literacy, Engagement & Impact Report which highlights the range of activities available to schools in support of the new Primary School Curriculum Framework, 2023.    Congratulating the team, Dr Rick Officer, CEO of the Marine Institute, said the programme continues to deliver quality initiatives that promote marine education:   “Marine modules about squid, sea turtles and deep-sea species, completing seashore safaris, taking part in marine workshops and maintaining aquariums in-the-class, are excellent examples of how the Marine Institute’s Explorers team supports teachers. The Marine Institute’s Explorers Education Programme uses cross-curricular marine content to develop children’s key competencies and ‘blue’ skills in the classroom.” With the objective of creating marine leaders and ocean champions, 28 schools participated in ‘Healthy Ocean Projects & Ocean Champion Awards’ in 2023. The projects showcased children developing their creative skills through arts, designing boats, taking part in musical performances, and running marine science fairs.  The Engagement & Impact Report notes a highlight of the year was the Explorers Programme winning the ‘Best Education Outreach Award in Ireland’, presented by Business and Irish Times. This award recognised the Programme for its excellence in promoting ocean literacy at primary school level and the work of those delivering it throughout the country: ­­­­­­­ Explorers Strategic Education and Communications Manager, Cushla Dromgool-Regan remarked that: “This recognition was also highlighted at a recent EU ocean literacy event held in support of the UN Ocean Decade conference in Barcelona. Stakeholders are now acknowledging the need to drive marine education globally. It is fantastic to see the Explorers work and in particular the education resources being recognised at this level.” For more information about the Explorers Education Programme is available at www.explorers.ie https://bit.ly/4aMORuF

The Marine Institute’s Explorers Education Programme & Mayo Education Support Centre are delighted to include the new ‘Learning about Tides’ film in the Explorers online CPD [continued professional development] teachers training course this summer (1st July – 16th August). Michael McKenzie, Director of Mayo Education Support Centre congratulated the Explorers team for the new content: “The new educational film is a great addition to the online course ‘Exploring the Seashore Using Cross Curricular Learning and Skills’. It's a very good example of how the team bring subjects to life & apply content to real world scenarios for teachers & children to use in class & on the shore.” “The film features the Explorers team on the shore explaining how tides work & showing how sun, moon & earth influence tidal changes throughout the lunar cycle. The team also use lots of fun stories to engage viewers, such as how scientists from 1000s of years ago theorised that tides were caused by the breath movement of sea monsters,” explained Mr McKenzie. This is the 3rd year Mayo Education Support Centre's run the Explorers online CPD course. “It's also good to see footage of the Marine Institute’s research vessel RV Celtic Explorer heading out to sea from its home port in Galway. Watching it go through the port gates with cm to spare each side at high tide is spectacular to watch – & highlights the importance of knowing your tides,” he said.  The course is designed to make learning online an enjoyable experience so teachers can build skills by carrying out assignments covering arts & crafts, completing creative recycling ideas, & writing stories & poetry. Dr Noirin Burke, Outreach Manager of the Explorers Programme, is delighted to be running the course again this year with support from Mayo Education Centre: “We've a great team who're available throughout summer to provide support, guide online forums to explore topics with teachers & answer queries. Teachers can complete tasks from the 5 modules over several days or weeks at their own pace. They can also take their learning beyond the screen with hands-on assignments designed to keep exploring,” explained Dr Burke. With growing interest on the impact the ocean has on our lives & the impact we have on the ocean – the ‘Exploring the Seashore’ online training course provides teachers with the perfect chance to kick start their ‘blue’ journey & become ocean ambassadors,” Noirin further added. For more info & bookings about course see: https://lnkd.in/eSpc9Fc7 For face-to-face courses offered by Explorers, see website / Teachers Training All Explorers Teachers Training courses are approved for EPV certification by the Department of Education & Skills. For more info, contact: Cushla Dromgool-Regan Strategic Education & Communications Manager (Marine Institute's Explorers Education Programme) Camden Education Mobile: + 353 (0) 87 9185519 Email: cushla.dromgoolregan@thecamdentrust.org www.explorers.ie

The Marine Institute and the Explorers Education Programme team were delighted to meet Educational Passages on their recent visit to Ireland from the USA. Educational Passages is an amazing programme that connects us across the Atlantic, where school children (and adults too) can track unmanned mini boats (using satellite and GPS tools attached to the boats) while at sea! The building, repairing, and launching of the boats back at sea all provide enormous learning opportunities covering STEM subjects… A big thank you to everyone who welcomed Cassie and her team to Ireland. She had an amazing trip visiting ‘crew members’ and schools that have been involved in the mini boat projects over the 5 years. Some were the first time that she had met face-to-face! And to add to the excitement of the Educational Passages team visiting - check out the Sea Eagle mini boat which is currently moving around in the ocean currents near the Irish Continental shelf… we could have another mini boat landing in Ireland! Marine Institute P&O Maritime Logistics camden.education Galway Atlantaquaria Sea Synergy Old Cork Waterworks Experience #LackaghNationalSchool #ArdfertNationalSchool #KilglassNationalSchool University of Limerick #KeepExploring

We're so excited to launch our newly updated 🐚Wild About Wildlife on the Seashore🐚 workbook, which is also done in Irish and being used as a key teaching resource for student teachers at Mary Immaculate College in Limerick. 🧑🔬 https://bit.ly/3IEkE4z #KeepExploring Marine Institute camden.education

Seachtain na Gaeilge a cheiliúradh leis an Explorers Education Programme Join Tara as she introduces your class to some stories of ocean inspiration and innovation. Explore how marine life has motivated scientists, engineers, and artists to think outside the box, but be careful. Tara’s ‘Fact or Fiction’ Quiz will test your students’ power to evaluate information and data, to decide what is inspirational and what is farfetched. Stories will include facts and information from the new Explorers Fin-tastic Sharks+ content, the Explorers The Good, the Bad + The Ugly Deep Sea Species Book and the Explorers Turtle Talks with Sea Turtles Materials. Suitable for Children 8-12 years of age, this interactive 40min quiz will be held on Zoom on the 15th March at 9.30am, and will include time for students' questions. ______________________________________________________________________ Bígí le Tara agus í ag cur roinnt scéalta faoi inspioráid agus nuálaíocht na farraige in aithne do do rang. Fiosraigh conas a spreag an saol muirí eolaithe, innealtóirí agus ealaíontóirí chun smaoineamh taobh amuigh den bhosca ach bí cúramach. Spreagfaidh Tráth na gCeist Tara “Fíricí nó Ficsean” do dháltaí chun faisnéis agus sonraí a mheas agus cinneadh a dhéanamh ar cad atá spreagthach agus cad atá áiféiseach. Áireofar sna scéalta fíricí agus faisnéis ón nua ábhar Explorers Fin-tastic Sharks+, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly Deep Sea Species Book agus an Explorers Turtle Talk with Sea Turtles Materials. Oiriúnach do pháistí 8-12 bliain d’aois, beidh an tráth na gceist idirghníomhach 40 nóiméad seo ar siúl ar Zoom ar an 15ú Márta ag 9.30 a.m., agus beidh am ann do cheisteanna na ndáltaí. ______________________________________________________________________ Cláraigh ag https://bit.ly/3Tq7b6F Tá an Explorers Education Programme maoinithe agus tacaithe ag Foras na Mara #CoinnighAgFiosrú Date Event Title and Blurb 15.3.24 Bígí le Tara don Seisiúin Ghréasáin Scoile - Nuálaíocht Tara Noonan 9.30-10.15am Agus Inspioráid Aigéin Explorers team Seachtain na Gaeilge le Energia Marine Institute