Science Foundation Ireland’s Discover Programme is calling on Galway primary schools nationwide to help them track the arrival of spring by getting involved in Greenwave 2014.
This citizen science project, which sees students log their sightings of six Greenwave species by uploading images to the www.greenwave.ie website, is one of the five criteria necessary to achieve a Discover Primary Science and Maths (DPSM ) Award of Science and Maths Excellence.
Between the months of February and May, students are asked to capture their sightings of six species: frog, swallow, horse-chestnut, primrose, hawthorn, and ash, in addition to making at least one weather observation by measuring and recording wind speed, rainfall, or temperature. The results are then logged on the Greenwave website in order to monitor and map the arrival of spring.
Now entering its eighth year, Greenwave continues to grow in popularity among students, teachers, and parents. Last year 554 Irish primary schools, including 44 Galway schools, took part in the Greenwave project, submitting a total of 1,600 official records of common species and 8,600 weather observations. This year as part of the Greenwave First in Frame photography competition, six schools will be recognised for best images of the Greenwave species and will win a digital camera for their efforts.
The Minister for Research and Innovation, Seán Sherlock, said; “The Greenwave initiative creates an opportunity for children to engage with science in an interesting, fun, and hands-on way. Educating children in the subjects of science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM ) is vital if we are to progress and maintain sustainable growth of Ireland’s economy. Initiatives like Greenwave help to foster an interest in STEM subjects in our children from an early age.”
The closing date for entry to the awards is Friday March 21. Visit www.greenwave.ie for more details on the Greenwave project. To register for the DPSM Awards of Science and Maths Excellence, visit www.primaryscience.ie
