Good Weather and Great Wildlife

There can be little doubt in the fact that summer has now really started. This week is already shaping up to be a great week for all outdoor events. The Marine Month of Madness is well and truly in full swing. Last Saturday saw the canal clean take place with great work done. Also the first of the free weekly talks at Galway Atlantaquaria took place. Anyone who attended any of these events knows just how much fun they were. But fear not as there the month is far from finished. Tonight the second free talk at the aquarium is due to take place. "FREE talk this evening at 7pm at Galway Atlantaquaria- ''Fishing gears of Galway Bay'' Talk is by Dr. Peter Tyndall of BIM and Galway Boat Charters Email sarah.knight@nuigalway.ie to book your place" It is going to be a great talk. Another reason to be excited this week is the beach safari taking place at Gratten beach on Saturday afternoon. Contact Galway Atlantaquaria for details. It is however a completely free event open to everyone and if the weather keeps up it will be a smashing day out for all.

For all of you wondering how the sea safaris are going with the schools let me tell you that this year has been fantastic. Gealscoil de hide had a safari today out beside the Marine Institute in Rinville. A great shoreline with loads of shore crabs, blennies and butterfish. Liscannor N.S and Kilkee N.S both had similar trips finding the elusive Risso's Crab and my favorite Sea star the Cushion Star. Fanore N.S with their unique beach was a haven for juvenile fish with young pollack and herring found in the rockpools there. There hasn't been a dull moment on the beach yet.

If you have ever wanted to try your hand at some easy to do and very fun experiements at home the Explorers Education programme has what you need.
http://oar.marine.ie/handle/10793/777/browse?type=title&submit_browse=Title
This link will take you to some of the best water based experiments you will find. Easy to do and incredibly fun for all the family

What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the sea? It's unlikely your answer is mathematics, but the Explorers Education programme has now combined primary level mathematics with the theme of the ocean. So if you are a tea...cher looking for a new and more fun way to teach maths or a parent looking to have some learning fun with your children then look no further. Already proving a popular hit with teachers and parents around Ireland why not check out some of these great Maths lesson plans  

http://www.marine.ie/home/community/education/lessonplans/MathematicsandtheSea.htm

Enjoy the great weather this week all and we hope to see everyone for the free talks each wednesday as well as the seashore safari happening this Saturday the 26th May.

Padraic

Summer time = Safari time

After some changeable weather of late, some good......most not so good, we are finally arriving into the summer proper. Hopefully this means a lot of sunshine and very little rain. While the summer means many different things for different people such as the Euro 2012, the Eurovision, School holidays, it means just one thing for the schools in the Explorers programme - Beach Safaris!!!

Yes it is that wonderful time of year again when we take students to their local beaches to look for animals and plants so they can understand firsthand how life interacts on their doorstep. Schools embark on these safaris usually once every two years and they tend to run from May-June and September-October. I find there are two things that when used together make the perfect learning experience. Hands on interaction and fun. If these two criteria are met the benefit is to all involved is greatly increased. Luckily the seashore safaris deliver on these fronts.

There are a number of schools getting ready to don their wellies and rain gear (with the hopes of not needing it) and head to the beach to explore this unique and amazing ecosystem. Fanore N.S, Kilkee N.S, Liscannor N.S, Lahinch N.S and Rosmuc N.S to name but a few.

With a beach safari it is extremely important to have as little impact as possible. Any rocks we turn over we must put back carefully, any animals we catch must be returned to their homes. We are guests on their beach and they deserve to be treated kindly.

So ready the nets and buckets and prepare to venture to our favourite summer destinations- The best beaches and rocky shores in Ireland!!