The pupils of Aughacasla National School in Co Kerry have been named the Marine Institute’s National Explorers Ocean Champions for 2026.
On Friday (29 May) the children were honoured at a special school event attended by Kerry TD and Minister for Children, Norma Foley alongside Marine Institute chief executive Dr Rick Officer, celebrating their exceptional documentary film and marine science project titled “A Nursery Beneath the Waves”.
Out of 22 schools competing nationwide in the Explorers Education Programme, Aughacasla stood out for their hands-on approach to marine science, the competition judges said.
Pupils stepped into the shoes of real marine scientists and filmmakers, exploring the seashore and identifying mermaids’ purses — the egg cases left behind by sharks and skates.
Through their work, the children showcased Tralee Bay as a vital “living nursery” and one of the most ecologically important marine environments in Ireland and Europe, making significant discoveries of egg cases from elusive species like the white skate.
The project seamlessly wove together marine science, art and digital media, challenging the pupils to interview classmates, compile research and present their findings through a documentary.
Minister Foley said: “I would like to congratulate the students of Aughacasla National School for becoming the Marine Institute’s 2026 National Explorers Ocean Champions. The students have shown great passion for studying their local marine environment and they have made some very exciting discoveries — such as a giant mermaid’s purse belonging to the rare white skate species.
“I would also like to thank the entire school community in Aughacasla National School and the Marine Institute for supporting the students in developing important skills that they will use for a lifetime.”
Dr Rick Officer highlighted the critical role that educators play in bringing the ocean to life for young people.
“It is incredibly important that we support school teachers to introduce marine themes into the classroom through long-term school projects like this one,” he said. “By integrating the ocean into everyday learning, our teachers are creating a strong marine ethos in our schools and empowering children to understand, love, and protect our local marine environment and our ocean.”
The project not only transformed the children’s understanding of their local marine environment, but it also resonated deeply with the wider Kerry community.
Principal of Aughacasla National School, David Doyle reflected on the profound impact the initiative has had on the entire school network. “The value of school projects such as those funded by the Marine Institute cannot be overstated,” he said. “It enables incredible outreach officers, like Jane Sharp, to provide expert guidance in creating unique and very real learning experiences for our children.
“Many of the teachers have said that this has been one of the best projects that we have done with students, as not only have they been enthused by the learning with the children, but the children have also spread the word amongst the school and local community.
“This project has helped us all learn to value the ocean. We’ve learned first-hand that a healthy ocean equals a healthy community, from looking after our marine environment to our own well-being.”
The Ocean Champions Award sets out to promote ocean literacy and outdoor education, and to support teaching the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) in schools.
The Marine Institute has also announced the Explorers Ocean Champion category winners from schools around Ireland that participated in the Explorers Healthy Ocean School Project:
- St. Oliver Plunkett National School, Malahide, Co Dublin — Category: SDGs & the Ocean — Project: Life in the Sea: What’s it Got to do with me?
- Waterpark National School, Waterford City, Co Waterford — Category: SDGs & the Ocean — Project: Journeys Across the Atlantic: Waterford’s Fishermen and the Brent Geese
- Scoil Mhuire agus Iosaf, Collooney, Co Sligo — Category: Marine Outdoor Healthy Ocean Project — Project: Waves of Change — Protecting Strandhill’s Coast
- Castlebar Educate Together National School, Castlebar, Co Mayo — Category: Ocean Literacy & the Arts — Project: Ocean Rhythms: Marine Patterns, Sound and Life
Dr Officer added: "Each year the schools demonstrate exceptional work and create exciting ways to bring the ocean into schools. These have included school children examining and creating solutions for coastal erosion, taking part in national petitions, and studying patterns of the ocean from sand movement to whale songs.
“Projects have also taken a step back in history, where children have learned about migration across the Atlantic and brent geese from the Canadian Arctic to the salt marshes of Tramore today.
“We hope the schools continue to celebrate their achievements and promote being ocean champions. We also congratulate the schools that received Certificates of Excellence and Certificates of Participation.”
