Students from Aughacasla National School in Co Kerry have been named the Marine Institute's 2026 National Explorers Ocean Champions. The award was presented at a special school event attended by the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley TD, and the Marine Institute CEO, Dr Rick Officer.
Award Winners — Minister Norma Foley TD joins pupils and staff at Aughacasla National School after the Kerry school was named the Marine Institute's 2026 National Explorers Ocean Champion. Photo: Domnick Walsh Photography
The school's winning project, A Nursery Beneath the Waves, combined marine science, filmmaking and environmental research.
Competing against 22 schools nationwide, the Kerry pupils investigated "mermaids' purses" — the egg cases of sharks and skates — along the shores of Tralee Bay. Their research highlighted the bay's importance as a marine nursery habitat and included discoveries of egg cases from rare species such as the White Skate.
The students documented their findings through interviews, fieldwork and a short film, taking on the roles of marine scientists and filmmakers.
Minister Foley praised the pupils' achievement. "I would like to congratulate the students of Aughacasla National School for becoming the Marine Institute's 2026 National Explorers Ocean Champions," she said. "The students have shown great passion for studying their local marine environment and they have made some very exciting discoveries."
Dr Rick Officer said the project demonstrated the value of bringing marine science into classrooms. "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," he said.
Young marine researchers from Aughacasla National School display shark and skate egg cases, known as "mermaids' purses", which formed a key part of their award-winning marine science project. Photo: Domnick Walsh Photography
School principal David Doyle said the initiative had made a lasting impact on both pupils and the wider community. "This project has helped us all learn to value the ocean," he said. "We've learned first-hand that a healthy ocean equals a healthy community, from looking after our marine environment to our own wellbeing."
The Marine Institute's Explorers Education Programme has promoted ocean literacy in Irish schools for two decades.
Category winners were also recognised from schools in Dublin, Waterford, Sligo and Mayo for projects exploring sustainability, coastal protection, marine heritage and ocean-inspired arts. The Explorers Education Programme is funded by the Marine Institute and delivered through a network of education and marine outreach partners across Ireland.
