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!!

Follow the Fleet 2012 Essay Competition

The Follow the Fleet 2012 Essay Competition Announced

Sponsored by IrishFerries.com

The Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) is delighted to announce the 2012 Schools essay competition for the www.followthefleet.ie educational programme.

The IMDO reintroduced the Follow the Fleet education programme to Irish schools and classrooms in 2006 as an online teaching resource that brings the world of maritime trade and adventure alive for school children between the ages of 7 to 12. Since its launch in 2006, Follow the Fleet has recruited over 800 national schools with an estimated outreach to 28,000 primary school children registered to take part in the education programme.

This year the annual schools competition is sponsored by Irish Ferries and is also supported by Ardmore Shipping, BMCI Insurance & Investments and the Port of Cork. The competition will be centred around three key themes, maritime technology, trade, and heritage, all of which are interlinked with the lessons and Captain’s logs published on the website.

Speaking of their involvement with the annual competition, Irish Ferries commented : ‘Follow the Fleet’ is a concept that has echoes of earlier days when school children would trace the routes followed by the great Irish merchant vessels of yesteryear as they ploughed the oceans carrying bulk cargoes that would service the needs of communities around the world. As Ireland’s premier passenger and freight ferry company, Irish Ferries is proud to see that concept revived and to sponsor the Follow the Fleet Competition, thereby helping to foster in our young people a wider understanding of the shipping industry and its contribution to tourism, employment and the economy. ”

The 2012 Follow the Fleet Competition is offering some amazing prizes for the winning entries which will be judged by a panel headed by noted maritime journalist Mr. Tom McSweeney. Some of the prizes include a trip to the National Maritime College in Cork for the winning class where they will be able to command their own ship at sea in the world class ship simulators. The Overall School Winner Category will also win a laptop for their teacher and the category winners will see their essay scripted into a short animated film, voiced by actor Aidan Dooley of ‘Tom Crean –Antarctic Explorer’ fame.

The competition is open to all primary school classes registered on the www.followthefleet.ie programme, the deadline for the competition is the 5th of April 2012. All details of the competition and entry forms are available on-line on http://www.imdo.ie/followthefleet/news.asp

For more details contact marketing@imdo.ie or call the IMDO on 01 476 6500 for more information on joining the Follow the Fleet programme.

About Followthefleet.ie
The Follow the Fleet programme is unique as it uses web-based GPS technology in the form of a unique satellite tracker system along with six easy to follow lesson plans that meet the SESE criteria, a section for teachers and downloadable teaching plans all available online on www.followthefleet.ie Regular updates from the Captains and crew of the Follow the Fleet ships to provide schoolchildren with a real insight into the day-to-day life at sea, the ship’s crew and equipment, commercial trade by sea and an understanding of Ireland’s maritime history.

All details with essay guidelines, entry forms and competition details and rules are available on the news section of http:www.followthefleet.ie

January is a time of new beginnings. The beginning of the new year, the beginning of many peoples new years resolutions and the beginning of this years Explores programme. We are going full steam ahead with school visits again this term. Starting with Maree national school which is getting it's fish tank stocked on the 19-01-2012. Ourselves and the students are looking forward to seeing their wonderful display again this year and I'm sure the fish are excited to unpack and settle down in their new home.

As well as stocking we are continuing our experiment and seashore classes as well. Students will need to brush off their lab coats and get ready to do some really fun science as we have a host of new experiments ready to unleash in your classrooms.

The Mário Ruivo Marine Movie Competition is still open for applicants to send in their marine movies. So if you fancy yourself as a marine movie maker, a latter day Jacques Cousteau, a Stephen Spielberg or you just like making movies? If your answer to any of these questions is yes then we have just the thing for you. There are some great prizes and the chance for your marine movie to be seen by people from all over Europe.

The deadline is March 25th go get that equipment dusted off and have your voice heard with this Marine Movie Competition.

Find out more at the Marine Institutes link below

http://www.marine.ie/home/aboutus/newsroom/news/MarineMovieCompetition.htm

I hope everyone is keeping an eye of for the Galway Atlantaquaria explores van as it will may be on its way to your school bringing fish for your tank or experiments for your classroom.

Science Chat

Dr. John Joyce speaking about the Explorers Programme!

Hi all we have recently released our November newsletter. It has some great stuff in it such as info on the Science exhibition in NUIG and details on how to enter a movie making competition. If you have missed it don't worry as here it is...

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 19^th 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