Explorers Education Programme 

The Marine Institute’s Explorers Education Programme engages with primary schools, teachers, children and the education network, creating marine leaders and ocean champions in Ireland.

The Explorers Education Programme is funded by the Marine Institute, the state agency for marine research and development. The Camden Education Trust are responsible for the strategic development and management of the Programme. The delivery of the Explorers Education Programme is further supported by Galway Atlantaquaria who provide support services to the management and outreach teams. The Explorers outreach and education is facilitated by a number of centres throughout Ireland. We are the centre for County Waterford.

 

We offer a range of marine themed modules for primary school students and teachers in the classroom, through blended learning as well as out-door education. We also provide schools with the opportunity to take part in a school project where teachers have an opportunity to enter their school into a collaborative school project.

Check out our modules below for more information including marine projects, seashores safaris, aquariums in the class, and taking part in a number of exciting marine workshops.

Oceanics Surf School & Marine Education Centre Tramore - The Red Cottage, Riverstown, Tramore, Co. Waterford, Ireland

Things To Bring

This will depend on your chosen module so your Explorers Team will be in contact to discuss!

Additional Info

AQUARIUM IN THE CLASSROOM

The Explorers saltwater aquarium in class module provides teachers with an opportunity to bring the seashore to the classroom and teach their students about marine living things. A range of cross curricular activities can also be carried out using the aquarium as a tool for teaching science, geography, maths, English, Irish, art and more.

This is an excellent module for children to develop a strong connection with the animals that can be found on their local seashore.  This further encourages children’s engagement and sense of exploration learning about the seashore environment; as well as the larger ocean.

The Explorers Aquarium in the Class module may be used to support teaching children about the SDG14 Life Below Water (marine biodiversity).

 

Teachers will be provided with equipment and stock to run a saltwater aquarium with native species from the seashore for up to four weeks in their classroom with support provided by an Explorers Education officer. This module is suitable for 5th and 6th class. The teachers will be provided with class schemes, resources for the class, as well as recommended education resources and lesson plans to carry out cross curricular work based on the project that has been selected.

The outreach officer will carry out two half-day visits (approx. 2 hours per visit) to the class by an Explorers Education Officer or a number of shorter interactive online virtual discussions with the class. 

  • The first visit will involve a fun introduction to ocean literacy, a presentation about marine living things as well as instructions on caring for the animals in the aquarium.  
  • As part of the Aquarium in the Class module, the children and teacher will complete a project in class about the animals in the aquarium, before the outreach officer’s final class visit.
  • The final visit will involve the class providing a presentation and discussion of their project work that relates to the aquarium in the class. 
  • The Explorers Aquarium in the Class involves fun educational activities developing the student’s ocean literacy. Each student will be awarded an Explorers Certificate of Participation on completion of the module.

 

OCEAN LITERACY CLASS PROJECT

The Explorers Marine Class Project provides a range of cross curricular projects and activities that support learning about marine biodiversity, marine technology (STEM), ocean literacy & the arts, the Sustainable Development Goals, and lots more. The Explorers projects may be used to support SDG14 Life Below Water (marine biodiversity); as well as SDG12 Responsible Consumption & Production (environmental awareness & care); and SDG13 Climate Action, to name a few.

The Explorers Education outreach officer are experts in a range of marine subjects. They are happy to recommend projects for the class, as well as work with children to guide them in creating their own project objectives and outcomes. The teachers will be provided with class schemes, educational resources for the class, as well as online materials and lesson plans to carry out cross curricular work based on the project that has been selected.

The Explorers Marine Class Projects will include two class visits by an Explorers Education officer.

  • The first visit will involve a fun activity introducing ocean literacy, concept mapping and planning; as well as a presentation about the selected project topic and / or the class completing an interactive experiment.
  • The children and teacher will complete their Explorers marine project in class before the outreach officer’s second visit.
  • The second visit will involve the class providing a presentation and discussion of their project work to the Education officer.
  • Both visits will involve fun activities assessing the student’s ocean literacy in which they will be awarded an Explorers Certificate of Participation on completion of the module.

 

 

SEASHORE SAFARI

The Explorers Seashore Safari provides classroom activities and an amazing field trip to the seashore, where the children will learn about marine animals, seaweeds and environmental care.

The Explorers Seashore Safari module involves indoor and outdoor activities that can be completed in class prior to going to the shore, on the shore and activities after the fieldtrip.   The seashore visit will include an exploration of marine habitats and living things as well as interactive learning games on the shore (weather permitting).  The teachers will be provided with class schemes, class resources, along with seashore project ideas including adopt a beach, environmental awareness and care, seashore art exhibitions, and lots more. The class will also be encouraged to provide a presentation and discussion about their project work that relates to their experience on the seashore.

The seashore safari may be used to support SDG 14 Life Below Water (marine biodiversity); as well as SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being (outdoor activities); and SDG 12 Responsible Consumption & Production (environmental awareness & care); and SDG13 Climate Action, to name a few.

The teacher and outreach officer will confirm the allocation of time spent on each of the following aspects of the delivery of the module.  Field trips to the seashore must be organised to suit the tides.

  • An introduction to the seashore will take place before the visit to the seashore to help children learn about the tides, seashore safety and the seashore conservation code. This may be done online or face-to-face. 
  • A seashore visit will be supported by the Explorers outreach officer involving a range of exploration activities; as well as team games. The visit on the shore with an Explorers education officer is approx. 3-4 hours.
  • As part of the Seashore Safari module, the children and teacher will complete a project in class about their seashore safari experience, before the outreach officer’s final class visit.
  • A final visit to the class maybe provided either as a face-to-face visit in the class or online. This will include the class presenting their project work, show casing what they have learned about the seashore to the outreach officer. The outreach officer will discuss and assess the work.
  • Both class visits involve fun activities assessing the student’s ocean literacy in which they will be awarded an Explorers Certificate of Participation on completion of the module.

Normal Operating Procedures Apply