Over the last number of weeks children in St John’s NS Ballisodare, Co Sligo have been working with Leave No Trace Trainer and Marine Programme Educator Sorsha Kennedy on the theme of Marine Biodiversity.
The Explorer Education Programme normally delivered by visits to the classroom, this year has been adapted for online delivery. The children were given presentations via Zoom and the teacher and students then worked on various projects in class to create amazing presentations and artwork. Sorsha was very excited at the high quality of the work presented to her by the children and the children will be receiving their Certificates for participation in the programme next week.
The Explorer Education Programme aims to works with primary schools to promote our marine and maritime identity and increase young people’s awareness and understanding of Ireland’s marine biodiversity, and the value and societal benefits of the ocean.
The Children of St Johns National School are still working on the theme. They are aiming to make an animation about the problem of plastic pollution in our seas. They are also trying to collect enough bottle caps to make a mural in their school using recycled bottle caps on the theme of keeping our seas clean and plastic free. Teacher, Ms Margaret Haran, said “it is a breath of fresh air to see the children so enthusiastic about the theme of marine life and how we can protect our sea creatures”.
The Explorers Education Programme inspires educators, school teachers and their children about the importance of Ireland’s ocean wealth through STEM, STEAM and cross curricular modules, lesson plans and activities in the classroom and on the seashore. The Explorers Education Programme is funded by the Marine Institute, Ireland’s state agency for marine research, technology development and innovation. Leave No Trace Ireland Educators currently deliver the programme to primary schools in Mayo, Sligo and Donegal.
Learn more about the Marine Explorer’s Education Programme here.
