#MarineScience - Applications are now open for primary schools that wish to take part in marine-related activities and workshops for the 2015-16 school year as part of the Explorers Education Programme.
The programme's new module system, introduced in 2014, "allows for more students and teachers to get involved in marine projects, seashore safaris, having aquariums in the class, or taking part in a number of exciting marine workshops at their local education centre or at Galway Atlantaquaria," says Cushla Dromgool-Regan of the Marine Institute.
These modules include:
- Explorers Aquarium in the Classroom: This involves students running a saltwater aquarium of native species for up to four weeks in their classroom.
- Explorers Marine Project: Students will carry out a marine based project in school. Project topics can include Marine Biodiversity, Marine Litter, or science on the Research Vessel Celtic Explorer.
- Explorers Seashore Safari: Accompanied by the Explorers Education Officer, the students will visit their local shoreline to examine the plant and animal life present and their adaptations to life.
- Explorer Workshops at Galway, Mayo, Clare and Sligo education centres: These workshops will last around two hours and will cover the Real Map of Ireland, marine biodiversity around Ireland, characteristics of living things and a squid dissection. Teachers will be asked to complete one Explorer's lesson plan post visit and a half day visit by an Explorers Education Officer will review this work and recap on the materials covered.
Science workshops will also be available to all Explorers schools at Galway Atlantaquaria between October 2015 and March 2016 at a discounted price of €5 per students for a two-hour workshop. For more information call 091-585100.
Teachers can send their applications to their local education centres in Galway, Clare, Mayo and Sligo highlighting how the Explorers Education Programme will be beneficial to their class, school and community. Applications must be submitted before 4pm on Friday 18 September.
Application forms and additional information about the modules, as well as free teaching materials, are available to download at www.explorers.ie. For any queries relating to the Explorers Education Programme contact [email protected].
The Explorers programme continues to run in Dublin and Cork in association with the Blackrock Education Centre, the National Sea Life Centre Bray and the Lifetime Lab in Cork. More information about their workshops will be issued later in the year.
The Explorers Education Programme is supported by the Marine Institute, and is funded under the Marine Research Programme by the Irish Government.