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."
Ms Tara Noonan completes the Explorers Wild about Wildlife on the Seashore field trip at Bull Island with 4th Year student teachers from Marino Institute of Education, Dublin as part of their science module taught as Gaeilge
During the workshop, the Explorers team integrated key competencies including communication and language, enriching students’ understanding of marine science through Irish. “The workshop introduced the specific terminology used on the seashore, explaining habitats, the marine environment, and the names of species as Gaeilge. It also demonstrated ways for student teachers to help children communicate their understanding of these concepts, making the workshop both practical and impactful for future classrooms,” Ms Murray added.
The Explorers workshops use thematic learning to inspire student teachers, equipping them with applied lesson plans and ideas to encourage engagement with marine topics. The workshops promote active learning through hands-on activities on the shore, as well as fostering environmental citizenship by discussing our roles in marine conservation.
Ms Tara Noonan, Explorers Outreach Officer, and Dr Nóirín Burke, Explorers Outreach Team Manager, have been collaborating with the Marino Institute of Education and working with MIE lecturers Karin Bacon and Sandra Austin to deliver the “Wild About Wildlife on the Seashore” workshop for several years. “By introducing marine themes, in English and as Gaeilge, early in the student teachers training, we are helping to mainstream ocean literacy into classroom content and across the curriculum throughout their teaching careers,” said Ms Noonan.
The team have worked with the student teachers using cross-curricular content and providing an inquiry-based approach in the workshop this year. “This approach is important in creating positive attitudes and enhancing our values towards environmental care and protecting and using our marine resources sustainably. Learning more about our local shores helps inspire and motivate us all to take an active role in environmental conservation" Ms Noonan further explained.
The Explorers Education “Wild about Wildlife Seashore” resources are freely available to download from www.explorers.ie. Materials include species information sheets, presentations, films, posters, workbooks, and art templates, designed to enhance classroom learning and engagement with marine topics.
The Explorers Education Programme is funded by the Marine Institute, Ireland’s State agency for marine research and development, and managed by Camden Education and Galway Atlantaquaria.
