The Explorers Education Programme team at Galway Atlantaquaria have announced that Scoil Iosaif Naofa, Oranmore, and Scoil Sailearna, Inverin, are among the top schools in 14 coastal counties that have been selected to complete an Explorers Healthy Oceans project, and be in with a chance of winning a Marine Institute’s Explorers Ocean Champion Award for primary schools in Ireland.
“We were delighted with the number of schools in Galway who applied to be part of this year’s project and look forward to working with the chosen schools on how to take action to improve ocean health," said Dr Noirin Burke, explorers education services, Galway Atlantaquaria. "The schools shortlisted in Galway have taken part in the Explorers programme for several years and it is fantastic to be able to work with them incorporating a whole school approach to this new Explorers module.”
This award is part of the Explorers School Project, which provides teachers and children with the tools necessary to develop a project within their school and community. The Healthy Oceans projects focus on supporting the primary school curriculum and creating positive actions to raise awareness and engagement about the ocean in the schools and their local communities.
Jessica Lillis, from Scoil Iosaif Naofa, Oranmore, said: “We are delighted to be involved in this project as we have been developing a culture of awareness around biodiversity and the importance of protecting our ocean. We are working on developing an inclusive, experience-based, learning to help the children connect with the ocean and become advocates in protecting our ocean. As David Attenborough said, ‘No one will protect what they don’t care about; and no one will care about what they have never experienced’.”
“The Healthy Oceans projects further the Marine Institute’s goal to increase marine education and engagement, and also encourages schools to engage with their local community,” added Patricia Orme, director of the Marine Institute. “Through these projects we hope that the school children and their wider community will gain a greater appreciation of the importance of the ocean and an understanding of the significant impact of the ocean on our daily lives.”
This is the first year of the Ocean Champions Awards, and submissions will be judged by a team of marine and education experts. The winners will receive a Marine Institute Explorers Ocean Champion Award for their school. Winners will be announced around World Ocean Day on June 8.
There are some places still available for schools to take part in the Ocean Champions Awards. For more information see Explorers School Projects at the Explorers Education Programme website, www.explorers.ie
The Explorers Education Programme is funded by the Marine Institute, Ireland's State agency for marine research and development.
