Explorers Update
Hi Everyone,
Padraic here. Firstly I would like to wish Dr. Noirin Burke and her
family all the best as she has currently taken her maternity leave. As the year
comes to an end we still have the excitement of Christmas fast approaching. Hopefully
everyone has settled into school and having a great time.
Most of the schools have now had their seashore classes while others
have done their experiment classes.
The majority of schools now have their tanks stocked with the fish
settling in for a fun Christmas with their new classes.
The program is also flying in Dublin, with Bray Sealife Centre and the
Blackrock Education Centre helping out the schools up there.
Species Profile - Cuttlefish:
Cuttlefish are one of
the most amazing fish you will find off the Irish coast. They are related to
octopus and squid and live relatively close to the shore in sandy areas they
can also be occasionally found in rock pools during the summer. They grow
up to 49 cm but are usually smaller than
that.
They feed on crabs,
prawns and small fish. They ambush their prey and grab them in their strong
tentacles. They then use their beak to feast on their catch.
They are masters of camouflage
as they can change their body colour almost instantly. If threatened by a
larger animal they will squirt ink to confuse their would be predator and
escape.
Guest School: Scoil Chiaráin
Naofa
Scoil
Chiaráin Naofa is set in the beautiful idyllic peninsula of Kinvara and nestled
between the breath taking Burren and the shore of Galway Bay. Our location
really does allow us to make the most of the wonderful
Explorers
Programme with the Galway Atlantaquaria. Scoil Chiaráin Naofa has had their sea
water fish tank since 2002.
The tank
was initially part of the Fionn Science Project. Our Principal Martina Tarpey
and Deputy Principal Helen O’Riordáin worked with Brendan Smith to create our
fantastic tank. Brendan helped, supported and guided us through this fabulous project.
The tank has been in the school ever since
and has
brought us so much joy. Our caretaker Pat, always checks our sea creatures and
we appreciate his help.
Over the
past number of years my class and I, Emma O’Sullivan have been taking care of
the wonderful and entertaining sea creatures. The Galway Atlantaquaria has
helped stock the fish tank and this September
the
brilliant Noirín Burke took us on a Seashore Safari, and helped us stock the
tank. Seashore Safari's are a fun way of getting to know the creatures that
live around our coasts identifying animals that live in sandy, rocky and tidal
areas. Noirín made the field trip extremely enjoyable and it has been one of
our favourite parts of the programme.
The amazing sea creatures that have visited
our school include the gobi, sea star, mullet, hermit crabs, scorpion fish,
blenny, flat fish, sea anemone’s, prawn, shrimp and their babies.
One
morning, Junior Infant students Cian and Oisín got a shock! As they do every
morning, they were checking the sea creatures. When, suddenly
they came
in running to class. They were so excited. “Our hermit crabs” and one of our
“sea annonme’s” have had babies! Ms. O’Riordáin remembers the Murder in the
Tank . The students and Ms. O’ Riordáin took on the role of detectives and had
to quadroon off the scene for a few hours. They investigated the scene and soon
realised that the Sea Star had got a bit hungry. Creating a Seashore
"experience" for pupils using an aquarium is an exciting way of
bringing the sea to life outside and inside the classroom.
We
have learned about the native species found on our local seashore and worked as
a team maintaining our tank. We have learned about the conservation of our
planet, creatures of the deep and even dissected a shrimp! Through the lesson
plans on the website and the interactive and informative lessons provided by
the Explorers
We are
very privileged to take part in this exciting programme.
The
students, teachers, staff and parents of Scoil Chiaráin Naofa are delighted with
the effort and support we receive from the Explorers Education Programme and
the Galway Atlantaquaria. For the past number of years Noirín Burke and all of
you have been extremely helpful,
diligent,
and enthusiastic.
All of
students have great pride and interest in the salt water tank that our school
received.
It is the
focal point of our school foyer. Our Sea Safari’s are always an exciting and an
eagerly awaited day in the school calendar of the students. We greatly
appreciate all of the hard work, dedication, time and effort that the staff of
the Explorers Education Programme has given to our school.
Mário Ruivo Prize Movie Contest
Attention all explorers schools. Have you ever thought about making
a movie about your beach or the ocean that surrounds us? Well here is the
perfect excuse to break out those cameras and give James Cameron a run for his
money.
EurOcean – European Centre for Information on Marine Science and
Technology has launched, on the 19th of August, the Movie Prize
“Professor Mário Ruivo”.
The Movie
Prize will be conferred to a student or a team of students (with an age range from 12 to 18 years old - Junior category or, with
an age range from 18 to 21 years old - Senior category) to award an original Movie related
to the marine environment. This Prize intents to raise public awareness to the
importance of the Ocean and the Ocean related services to the Humankind.
The Prize will recognize the merit and the quality of the Participants
when producing the Movie as well as the potential impact of the Movie. A
total sum of 5.000 EUR will be divided between the Participants categories:
2.000EUR will be awarded to the winners of the junior category; 3.000 EUR will
be awarded to the winners of the senior category.
EurOcean will also support the travels and accommodation expenses to
the awardee or awardees (Junior category: 2 persons, max. 3 if team application
including Adult Advisor; Senior category: 1 person, max. 2 if team application)
to receive the Prize in Lisbon.
For more information on the prize please visit: http://www.eurocean.org/np4/2279.html
