- This topic has 223 replies, 98 voices, and was last updated 1 year, 5 months ago by
.
-
Posts
-
-
*Please Note: Participants who use Word (Or equivalent) to write their assignments and then copy and paste these into the forum may find that additional extraneous formatting is brought across. To avoid this, either right click in the post window and choose ‘Paste as Plain Text’ or use the keyboard shortcut. Alternatively, you can first paste the content into Notepad (Or similar text editor) and then copy it from here to the topic window.
ASSIGNMENT
Using the online lessons and resources developed for the ARC at The ARC – Online Lessons & Resources, reflect on how you could apply the concepts and skills covered to your own teaching practices, in alignment with the STEM Education Policy Statement and how STEM education can be addressed as part of the SSE process on a school-wide basis. Post your reflective piece (150 words min) to this forum as a Reply to this post.
Please comment on at least one other post.
-
The ARC online lessons and resources are absolutely fabulous and so child-friendly and modern. They are easily accessible and would appeal to children of all ages. I was particularly interested in the second lesson ‘The nutrition of seafood’ and especially in the story of the salmon of knowledge and how, even though the science was not available to prove the richness of salmon on our bodies and brains, the people of the time knew the benefits simply by eating the salmon.
I really enjoyed how the geographical, historical, SPHE and STEM benefits of this story interact seamlessly with literacy. Even though the children I teach are very young, we visit Newgrange farm every year and it is situated on the river Boyne. The story would come to life for our young children.
In our SSE process we have been focusing on non-fiction texts and how this can interlink with other curricular subjects including STEM. Here we can use the story to create artwork, food and nutrition, aquatics and water farming, jobs in aqua farming, geography and historical folk stories in Ireland.-
-
-
-
-
I really enjoyed the ARC resources and particularly the videos, which are simple, clear and so well explained. I think it is very important that children realise the importance of being responsible consumers, helping their parents to buy food that is organic, sustainable and ethically produced. The video on sustainability does a great job of showing us that we need to protect our seas and oceans and to make sure that we have enough resources for the future. We are taught also about the labels to look out for which inform us about the food ew are eating and how it is farmed. In line with the STEM plan we need to provide experiences which help children to engage the world round them in a way that promotes curiosity and learning. I would love to bring my class to the local docks to speak to fishermen and the fishmonger, looking at the various types of seafood and how they are caught and prepared. Visiting the Marine institute or taking some time on board the Celtic explorer and taking to researchers about our coastline and the research that they are doing. Lastly in art class I would like my class to design posters or packaging for seafood with labels to show how it has been farmed in a sustainable fashion.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Having engaged with all online lessons one that came to mind was nutrition. It is lovely how reference was made to the salmon of knowledge a story which we can all relate to from our childhood days to the here and now. They really knew the nutritional value of salmon. It might encourage children to try fish dishes when they know it is very good for them.
-
-
-
-
-
-
Hi Michelle, I couldn’t agree more with your praise for the ARC online lessons. The way they weave together geography, history, and STEM with such a captivating story like the salmon of knowledge is pure brilliance. It’s lovely to see how these lessons can bring the magic of our heritage to life for the small ones, especially with your annual trips to Newgrange farm. You’ve hit the nail on the head with how these resources make learning such a rich experience.
-
-
-
-
-
I believe that using the interactive simulations and virtual labs from The ARC could really help bring complex STEM concepts to life for my students. By allowing them to explore and experiment in a hands-on way, I think it could make the material more engaging and easier to understand. I think that incorporating inquiry-based learning activities and project-based assessments from The ARC could really help my students develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. By encouraging them to ask questions, investigate solutions, and work collaboratively on projects, I believe it could help them become more confident and capable STEM learners. One way to address this is by integrating STEM concepts into various subjects, such as incorporating coding into math classes or conducting science experiments in English classes. This way, students can see the real-world applications of STEM in different areas of study.
-
Hi Caoimhe,
Physical, hands-on based approaches to learning can be very beneficial to students development as it gives them the experience which sometimes will last longer than reading it in text. And as you mention, this hands-on based approach will also help them build personal skills useful for their development through school.
-
Having spent time looking at the ARC lessons, the one that resonated most with me for my context was be lesson 2; the nutrition of seafood. I think it’s so important to teach children the origins of their food, the nutritional content of their food and the chain of production involved in making and producing their food. We want children to become active and aware consumers and to teach them to question and understand their nutrition. I would use this lesson to expand their understanding of the nutritional content of seafood – protein, vitamins/minerals etc.
There is great scope for cross curricular links using this lesson as a stimulus. I have a special curricular interest in drama and literacy and would be interested in linking these.
Literacy: I would ask the children to design menus using words/pictures and have them come up with innovative ways to write the food description to appeal to different audiences. E.g. could we put salmon fish fingers on a children’s menu? Could we offer mussels as a free treat for children to try?
Drama: I would have them act out different restaurant scenarios such as a customer who didn’t wish try something new, interviewing the chef at the restaurant, having the chef explain the food origins to the waiters etc. I would use techniques such as freeze framing, teacher in role etc to have the children discuss how they would feel in these scenarios.
-
Hi Deirdre, it’s great that you enjoyed the nutrition of seafood section. Even though we are an island surrounded by seawater, many people in Ireland do not eat seafood. I find this baffling as Irish people get delicious, nutritious seafood delivered right to their doorstep while also supporting local businesses. I also like the idea of combining aquaculture with drama, I have never heard of any teacher doing that before, great idea!
-
-
I think it is so important to use cross curricular links to enhance the children’s experience of STEM in the classroom. I had never considered Drama as a means to expand their understanding of the nutritional value of seafood. What a fantastic idea that they will really enjoy while also consolidating what they have learned.
-
-
-
The online lessons and resources developed for the ARC provide a wealth of material that can be integrated into my teaching practices, particularly in alignment with the STEM Education Policy Statement and the School Self-Evaluation process. By using these resources, I can create interdisciplinary, inquiry-based learning experiences that foster critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills among students. Implementing project-based learning and real-world applications from The ARC will make STEM subjects more engaging and relevant, encouraging student interest and participation. In particular I could use can use ARC’s aquaculture and sustainability topics in science and geography, making lessons more engaging, relevant and contextualised.
On a school-wide basis, these concepts can be embedded into the School Self-Evaluation (SSE) process by collaboratively setting STEM-focused goals, developing a shared vision, and monitoring progress through reflective practices. When reviewing plans in Geography and STEM subjects I would raise awareness of exploring aquaculture not just traditional farming and share resources gathered on this course, further to this I can share the ARC’s professional development opportunities to stay updated on effective STEM teaching strategies.
-
Firstly, the online lessons and resources are fantastically designed to educate students about the importance of the seafood industry in a structured and engaging way.
In Alignment with the STEM Education Policy, I would ask students to design model fishing boats or fish farms using recycled materials like cardboard or Lego. Groups could use basic coding activities where they program a basic simulation of a fishing boat or fish farm. Through subjects like SPHE, I would like to explore the nutritional benefits of seafood and how we can identify sustainable seafood production packaging in supermarkets.
Addressing STEM education as part of the SSE process on a school-wide basis involves integrating STEM into the curriculum, setting clear goals for STEM learning, and regularly assessing progress. Schools can start by reviewing current STEM practices, identifying areas for improvement, and developing action plans that involve all teachers in embedding STEM concepts across subjects. Regular reflection and feedback from both students and staff are essential.
-
-
Watching the ARC videos, it struck me how in our classrooms, we tend to focus on ‘urban versus rural’ topics in Geography. What this really translates into, is Industrial versus Agricultural. There is little to no mention made of the role of Aquaculture in Ireland in school textbooks. Given the fact that Ireland has signed up to the UN Development Sustainable Goals, how committed we are to improving our green credentials and how there is a greater emphasis on healthier eating, it is quite shocking how little classroom time is spent looking at the key part Aquaculture plays in realising all of these goals . This is something that could be considered in an SSE. Do we need to broaden the scope of our definitions and in doing so better highlight the growing impact of Aquaculture around our coast.
The online lessons are visually stunning and illustrate how Science, Technology and Engineering are being used within the industry. I really enjoyed learning about the different jobs available and I think the children would be fascinated to learn about them.
-
Hi Darerca,
I absolutely agree with you that there is little to no mention of the role of Aquaculture in Ireland in school textbooks. This course has given me a whole new angle that I feel the children will find absolutely fascinating. The different jobs in this field are fascinating, and I feel the children would have a great time investigating them.
-
Absolutely agree with your insights! It’s so true that the typical ‘urban versus rural’ narrative in Geography often overlooks the crucial role of aquaculture and indeed like another poster said is very rearly mentioned in some of the SESE programmes or text books. Exploring it really could broaden students’ understanding of modern agriculture and environmental sustainability.
-
-
-
Hi Darerca, I completely agree with you it about the strand of comparing and contrasting counties within Ireland which is industrial vs agricultural and the lack of a ‘good’ lesson in text books. Much of the research would have to be done by the teacher but these lessons will hopefully take the sting out of this!
-
-
-
This module has highlighted great resources we can use in the classroom. Nutrition is an essential part of a healthy and balanced diet. The food pyramid is a great representation to help with maintaining a healthy diet. Going through each section of the food pyramid is a informative lesson in itself. From my own experience, children have less knowledge of what is considered ‘healthy’. By using the food pyramid as a classroom resource, it shows the children where they can obtain certain nutrients and minerals for their body to maintain a healthy diet. Before this module I didn’t realise that such a large amount of the Irish population – 80% is lacking vitamin D in the body. Vitamin D is essential for us, especially as it allows for the absorption of Calcium in the body. The Healthy Food for Life is a great website that offers invaluable information that can be incorporated across the curriculum.
-
-
In our schools we tend to focus on agriculture and less on aquaculture. As mentioned above, our school textbooks are predominantly focused on agriculture. It has given me an awareness of the importance of promoting sea farming and all it entails. The ARC videos are a great resource at highlighting the importance of aquaculture here in Ireland and give us opportunities to discuss this type of farming. This is something which we could focus on for our SSE – more emphasis on aquaculture and its role and opportunities today. Even more so, when we have such a wide range of sea farming right on our doorstep. The different aspects of Sea farming and the connections it has to STEM would be an area I would like to promote, especially in the senior end of the school. To give the students the opportunity to be made of the jobs available in the aquaculture industry – marine biologists, engineers, commercial divers, etc.
-
-
The online resources at The ARC are brilliant and very useful. I found the video about the Oysters particularly useful. As our school is not far from many oyster farmers it would be a great idea to incorporate it into the curriculum. It could be something we could look at as a school as part of our SSE – focusing on the local aquaculture industry. There is not much emphasis on aquaculture in school textbooks nowadays, they seem to focus more on agriculture, so it is up to us to try to incorporate it into the curriculum somehow. I thought the idea of using ‘The Salmon of Knowledge’ particularly useful, and a nice way to link nutrition and literacy. Coming away from this module I have really enjoyed getting a better understanding of the different job opportunities involved in sea farming. I will also look into how we could obtain a Blue School Award for our school.
-
-
The ARC lessons and Resources are very pupil friendly and from the perspective of a teacher provide an array of topics. I could see my class dividing into groups and each group taking one of the four sections or part of a section. A research heading could be given to each group and the school tablets could be used to explore and research these areas. If find with group work like this, once I get a balanced group forming , the group dynamics give the pupils a sense of inclusion and people have various roles such as the research, the presenter, and sometimes a creator such as information boards.
I think the pupils find learning from a resource like this more interesting than the traditional methods of teaching, certainly for older pupils who spend time at home with technology it brings together the learning of a lesson delivered in a more interactive way. I have also used ‘Kahoot’ for quizzes in the classroom, and feel a quiz could reenforce the Arc lessons and resources-
-
-
I agree group work could work so well here. Kids love the independence of researching themselves. When they discover their own facts on aquaculture and report back to the class, I find these facts stick with them a lot longer than any facts I will give them!! Projects including science, history, geography, art, literacy, sphe and maths, gives scope for every child to find their point of interest in aquaculture.
-
-
The online ARC lessons and resources provide a great range of topics that I can see my class loving. It is great to have the use of these and I plan on using these next year. I am excited to share these resources with other staff members too. I can see the older children enjoying researching a chosen aspect of sea farming and creating a project on this. The Blue School Award is something I will look into with my class as I know many of them would be interested in it. This course has given me a whole different angle on farming. There are so many links between STEM and aquaculture that can be highlighted to the children. Students are given the opportunity to be made aware of the many jobs available in the aquaculture industry, which is STEM based. It would be great to get a field trip to a seafood producer to reinforce what we are learning about.
-
-
The online lessons and resources developed for the ARC are really child(and teacher!) friendly. I could definitely see myself using these as an introduction to aquaculture in the classroom. They have so many connections to various subject areas-geography, science, history, maths, literacy. Science, technology and engineering are all included throughout the various lessons and I think getting the kids involved and active within these lessons would really reinforce how important aquaculture is in our community. As a whole school project in SSE we could look at working towards a blue school award.
-
-
-
-
-
-
I agree that the online lessons and resources developed for the ARC are very child-friendly and great for teachers too. I can see myself using them to introduce aquaculture in the classroom. They connect to many subjects like geography, science, history, math, and literacy. The lessons include science, technology, and engineering, making them perfect for getting kids involved and active. This helps them understand the importance of aquaculture in our community. For a whole school project in SSE, we could aim for a Blue School Award, which would be a fantastic goal to work towards together.
-
I also agree that the online lessons and resources developed for the ARC are really child(and teacher!) friendly. By having a resource that is easy to use will encourage more children and teachers to use it. I also believe that the Blue School’s Award is great idea and it is an award that not many schools have in my district.
-
-
Using the online lessons and resources developed for the ARC at The ARC – Online Lessons & Resources, I can integrate the concepts and skills covered to enhance my teaching practices in alignment with the STEM Education Policy Statement. These resources emphasize the significance of aquaculture, providing an excellent opportunity to expand our curriculum beyond traditional agriculture. By incorporating these materials, we can address STEM education as part of the SSE process on a school-wide basis.
The ARC videos highlight the importance of aquaculture in Ireland, which can be a springboard for discussions and projects that connect science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Integrating aquaculture into our lessons would offer students a hands-on, real-world application of STEM concepts, from marine biology to environmental engineering.
Furthermore, by focusing on aquaculture, we can introduce students to various career opportunities in this growing industry, such as marine biologists, engineers, and commercial divers. This approach aligns with the goals of the STEM Education Policy Statement by fostering skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation.
In summary, the ARC online lessons and resources provide a comprehensive framework to incorporate aquaculture into our teaching practices, enriching the STEM education experience and supporting the SSE process across our school.
-
The online lessons developed for the ARC are excellent resources for helping children to develop a good understanding of aquaculture and the opportunities it presents in Ireland. The presentations by Áine are very informative and the use of Professor O’Mara helps to engage the children further. As STEM focuses on igniting the learner’s curiosity, the videos are an excellent tool for doing so. The pacing of the videos allows time for the children to complete the quizzes but also to think about what they have learned so far and what questions that has raised. They could work in small groups to discuss the videos in addition to thinking about further areas that they may wish to explore. They also allow an opportunity to take a cross curricular approach, with the example of the story of Fionn and the salmon being a great example. The way in which the last two videos brings all the information together really reinforces the development of STEM skills which are important for living and working in today’s world. My school is located close to the sea and these lessons really highlight the importance of being aware of what is around you. I will do some extra research to find out if there are facilities close by with the hope of visiting, if possible. The children really gain from field trips.
SSE allows an excellent opportunity to see where the school stands in relation to the aims of STEM. As it is so broad, the first initial step of gathering the information gives an excellent opportunity to look at the current working of the school and can help identify where additional resources or emphasis is needed.
-
I completely agree with your points about the ARC online lessons. The engaging presentations by Áine and Professor O’Mara capture students’ interest and curiosity. The pacing of the videos is perfect for allowing reflection and completing quizzes. Group discussions and cross-curricular connections, such as the story of Fionn and the salmon, enhance the learning experience.
-
-
The Aquaculture Remote Classroom (ARC) online lessons and resources offer a comprehensive way to integrate STEM education into teaching practices, aligning well with the STEM Education Policy Statement and supporting the School Self-Evaluation process. Utilizing these resources, I can create a dynamic curriculum that emphasizes hands-on learning and real-world applications of STEM.
For instance, the lessons on “What is Aquaculture?” and “Sustainable Irish Seafood” provide a foundation for students to explore ecosystems, sustainable practices, and environmental science. These topics can be expanded into projects where students design and evaluate their own sustainable aquaculture systems, incorporating mathematical calculations and scientific principles.
Additionally, lessons on the nutrition of seafood highlight the intersection of biology and health science, encouraging students to investigate the nutritional benefits and ecological impacts of different seafood. This can lead to broader discussions on food security and sustainable living, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
By integrating these resources into the classroom, I can support the SSE process by promoting a cohesive STEM learning environment across the school. This approach not only aligns with educational policy but also prepares students to be informed and engaged participants in addressing global challenges.
-
Looking at the ARC lessons, I related best to lesson 2 “The Nutrition of Seafood”. After watching the video I felt that Integrating seafood nutrition into a primary school classroom can enhance students’ understanding of healthy eating and environmental science. Teachers can start by introducing the nutritional benefits of seafood, such as high protein content, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals essential for growth and brain development. Interactive activities, like cooking demonstrations or tasting sessions, can make learning engaging and practical. Incorporating projects where students research different types of seafood, their health benefits, and their role in a balanced diet can foster critical thinking. Linking these lessons to topics like marine biology and sustainable fishing practices can broaden students’ knowledge of ecosystems and responsible consumption. Additionally, inviting local fishermen or aquaculture farmers to speak about their work can provide real-world context and highlight the importance of sustainable practices. These activities not only educate students on nutrition but also instil a sense of environmental stewardship and community connection.
-
I love the idea of having cooking demonstrations or tasting sessions to engage the children. That would certainly spark their curiosity. It would also be very interesting to have local fishermen/aquaculture farmers in as guest speakers. These are jobs which we never really discuss with the children in school and this would give them a wonderful insight into this world.
-
Hi David,
Great to hear you enjoyed the ‘Nutrition of Seafood’ lesson! It’s definitely a topic that can be easily integrated into lessons on healthy eating.
In our experience, aquaculture farmers are usually very willing to visit schools and talk about their experiences on the farm, whether they are farming oysters, mussels, or salmon. They often bring equipment or fresh seafood for a show-and-tell, which is always a hit with the students.
-
-
The ARC lessons were all very informative and engaging but the one I enjoyed most was how aquaculture supports the community. This could be integrated so easily within a variety of subjects such as science, history, geography, maths and SPHE. Examining the wider reaching positive effects that aquaculture has on the community and the people employed both directly and indirectly as a result may inspire children to really think about it as a viable career, in alignment with the STEM education policy.
STEM education is a crucial area but one which I don’t feel as confident with as others. The SSE process would allow time and space for evaluating the effectiveness of our teaching of STEM and would determine clearly the necessary steps forward, whether that be upskilling/training or dedicated teacher collaboration during Croke Park hours. The SSE process would be very beneficial in addressing STEM education.
-
-
Using the online lessons and resources developed for the ARC has given me valuable ideas on how to enhance my teaching practices, especially in the context of STEM education. The resources are practical and engaging, providing clear examples of how to integrate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics into the classroom. By utilizing these materials, I can make STEM subjects more accessible and interesting for my students.
The ARC resources align well with the STEM Education Policy Statement, which emphasizes the importance of developing students’ skills in critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration. For instance, incorporating hands-on projects and experiments from the ARC lessons can help students understand complex concepts through practical application. This approach not only makes learning more enjoyable but also fosters a deeper understanding of the material.
In terms of the School Self-Evaluation (SSE) process, these resources can support a school-wide focus on improving STEM education. During the SSE process, schools can assess their current STEM teaching practices and identify areas for improvement. The ARC materials can serve as a benchmark for high-quality STEM instruction, offering a variety of activities and lesson plans that teachers across different grade levels can use.
Furthermore, by sharing these resources during professional development sessions, teachers can collaborate and exchange ideas on how to implement them effectively. This collaborative approach ensures that all students benefit from enhanced STEM learning experiences, regardless of their individual teachers. It also helps create a unified strategy for STEM education within the school.
In conclusion, the ARC’s online lessons and resources are valuable tools for improving STEM education. By integrating these into my teaching, I can better align with the STEM Education Policy Statement and support the SSE process. This ensures a cohesive and effective approach to STEM education across the school, benefiting both teachers and students.
-
As a hands on teacher my class usually write to the farmer about his job and then the farmer comes in and brings a calf into my classroom so how wonderful to invite someone from aquaculture to come in, whether a diver from the salmon farm to someone from the oyster farm who can talk about the oyster farm and might bring some to show us. We like to have a list of questions to ask before the person arrives to discuss their occupation and then bring in some equipment to go with their job whether mesh bags, clothes they wear on the oyster farm. This can then lead us to ask about their clothes and what materials are waterproof using STEM to discover the most suitable clothing and why do they use mesh bags for pyster farms and discovering other materials for bags or why mesh is the most suitable as we look at the Unit of Materials. I am looking forward to bringing in fish wrappers and discovering about sustainable fish and what each symbl means, Origin Green lable etc. BYusing hands on inquiry based learning the children are using all their skills from STEM Statement using problem solving, critical thinking. This should then lend itself to the school policy and how spiral approach from the youngest classes to the older children. Octonauts can teach us a lot too. The ARC resources will enable teachers to provide informative, child friendly lessons without putting pressure on teachers, it enables them and to facilitates great learning experiences.
-
I love your idea about writing to someone from aquaculture, they could have a debate about who they would invite and write out relevant questions. The topic of material would be very well covered in a different and interesting way, It would be great to keep the older classes focused if they were designing a wet suit instead of a coat!!
I totally agree that the Arc lessons are child and teacher friendly. -
I love the idea of bringing in someone from aquaculture so that the kids could interview them or even writing letters to them. It makes it more real for the kids and they can put a face and a name to someone in that area, I find working in a built up urban setting, farming in general can seem so far removed from some of the kids I teach.
-
-
-
Applying ARC-Online Lessons and Resources to my teaching, I would enhance STEM education in alignment with the STEM Education Policy Statement and the School Self-Evaluation (SSE) process. These resources will help foster the kids engagement through interactive, hands-on activities, and concrete materials, making STEM subjects more relevant and accessible for my students.
I would also and collaborate with colleagues to share best practice. I would weave STEM education into my teaching plans. In the SSE process, the ARC’s assessment tools would be ideal to gather and analyse data on student performance and engagement, and help set SMART Targets. You could use the tracking tool to continuously track the targets and update the school improvement plans.
-
I watched the 4 lessons on the ARC site yesterday as part of module 2. However I rewatched lesson 4 :Sustainability today for the purpose of this assignment. The very topic of ‘sustainability’ would tie in very nicely to our SSE plan going forward as it is something we all need to focus on. The video explained the concept of sustainability in a nice child friendly way. The links to STEM around this topic are endless eg maths …population growth Engineering ..jobs around the aquaculture industry. There would be great scope for project work here in the senior classes eg exploring food labels in local shops, a beach clean, a visit to an aquafarm . This would link with the fundamentals of STEM education in many ways …obviously touching on the STEM subjects, a cross disciplinary approach, skills building and problem solving, collaboration and linking in other subjects eg geography and visual arts. The younger could also get involved eg create a poster for sustainability, art project using recycled materials, learn about marine species living on our coastlines etc.
-
Hi Shona,
I’m glad you enjoyed module 3. With over half of Ireland’s population living within 5km of the coast, the aquaculture and fishing industry employs over 16,000 people directly and indirectly here in Ireland. For example, one core business like an oyster farm can support an entire community. Particularly in coastal area’s of Ireland where farming is quite poor due to weather and soil quality.
-
-
-
I would use the online lessons and resources developed for the ARC at The ARC for teaching about healthy food.
I would start with the pupils working together to discuss the nutrients in fish. It would be very interesting to assess what they know about seafood. How many different types of seafood can they name? I would compile a list /graph of what types of fish they have tried.
They would have the opportunity to watch the video on The Nutrition of Seafood and then compare and discuss their findings. They would design a poster advertising the benefits of eating fish. They could also come up with a slogan about healthy eating.
The video on The Nutrition of Seafood is very clear and well presented. Pupils of different ages would enjoy illustrating the Salmon of Knowledge. They could write their own legend based on seafood.
There are endless possibilities with each of the ARC videos.
With the new maths curriculum being implemented from September, we are focusing on maths activities as part of our SSE. We feel that pupils are trying to solve maths problems in their minds so we will be helping the pupils to use equipment and tools when investigating and solving problems-
Hi Gillian,
These are all excellent ideas for teaching about healthy food and healthy eating within your class! It would be very interesting to see just how many different types of seafood found in Ireland that a single class could name, they could then look up each type that was mentioned in stores and compare/contrast the nutritional benefits between seafood like shellfish, whitefish (Cod/haddock), and salmon. Writing their own legend based around seafood is a great way to get the students excited about eating seafood as well!
-
-
I’ve been exploring the online lessons and resources developed for the ARC, and I’m really excited about how I can use these in my own teaching. These resources are packed with great content that aligns perfectly with the STEM Education Policy Statement, emphasising hands-on learning and real-world applications. The videos are very child-friendly and using the cartoon character of Professor O’Meara adds a nice touch to it. They are great for engaging students in science and technology. The additional quizzes are excellent also as they provide a means of assessment for the children on each video.In terms of the School Self-Evaluation (SSE) process, integrating STEM education on a school-wide basis can have a huge impact. We can use the ARC resources to develop a comprehensive STEM curriculum that promotes critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration. By aligning our teaching practices with the STEM Education Policy Statement, we can ensure that all students get a solid foundation in these essential areas. Incorporating these lessons into our SSE process can also help us identify areas for improvement and set clear goals for enhancing STEM education. This could involve more professional development for teachers, investing in STEM resources, or creating partnerships with local aquaculture businesses for field trips and guest speakers.
-
The online resources developed for the ARC are an excellent tool in classrooms as they provide an overview of the benefits of seafood and aquaculture here in Ireland. This can be used in the classroom quite well when teaching about subjects such as geography, history, science, and sustainability. It also gets people to realise the benefits of having an aquaculture farm or processor in your area as it can provide jobs to people directly and indirectly, supporting your local communities!
-
-
The Arc resoources provided by BIM provide practical, engaging resources and materials for teaching Aquaculture in the senior primary classroom. An area that is definitely overlooked after learning it contributes to around 1.3 billion GDP and is a sustainable practice. The lessons provided strongly align with the SSE guidelines for improving teaching and learning for our students and I will definitely be bringing the resources from this course back to my colleagues and exploring a pursuit of a blue award or an Arc visit.
Each of the lessons outlined on the BIM ARC resources are cross curricular and multidisciplinary and have clear STEM activities and opportunities encouraging the development of critical thinking, problem solving skills and deepening understanding through authentic and creative learning tasks.
For example, Lesson 3 looks at aqualculture in the community and highlights the vast employment that aquaculture provides in fish farms both direct and indirect. From net making to marine biologists to skippers, engineers and divers. The importance of STEM based careers is clearly illustrated. The aquanaut/ astronaut comparison is one that the children could really get on board with. There is so much room for meaningful discussions on direct/indirect employment form fish farming. The life cycle of the salmon in another lesson could be explored and the children could design their own equipment, technologies or marketing campaigns for the healthy, sustainable and organic salmon famed here on our coast. The Google quiz at the end of each module is another valuable and fun means of assessing the childrens learning.
-
The ARC online lessons and resources are an invaluable tool that could I could utilise in my teaching. These resources are more suited to children in 4-6th classes, as I teach in a Junior School, I have been reflecting on how I could apply these concepts to younger students. These lessons could be adapted and modified so as to be age and ability appropriate. The ARC utilises many digital tools that may enhance teaching and learning. In line with our school IT policy, the use of educational apps and tools could be utilised to support interactive learning. Also, the use of multimedia can cater for different learning styles and preferences. The quizzes after each lesson lend themselves to monitoring progress and tracking learning. This form of assessment encourages peer and self-assessment which can foster critical thinking. Also, the interview after Lesson 2, in which the students question a parent or family member, highlights the importance of creating home-school links and learning. Fostering parental involvement is of upmost importance in our school.
As I really enjoyed engaging with the online lessons and resources, I am sure that this could influence how we may address incorporating the topic of aquaculture into our whole school plan for SSE.
-
-
I really enjoyed these lesson – much more than I expected. As the lessons presented in an extremely child friendly manner they make the information so much more accessible than if the children were reading from a book. The mix of facts and personal experience of the presenter (eating oysters) really engaged the viewer.
There are so many ways in which we can bring aquaculture into lessons across the curriculum – from history (stories, myths and legends) to SPHE (how we look after our bodies); from geography (maps and looking at our to locality) to Sciences & Arts (creative solutions to problems).
We have a link with Clogherhead lifeboats and some of the children visited there recently on a school tour. I think we could easily extend the learning by maybe visiting some fish producers in the area and the children trying out some fish. We could also visit the Boyne and recreate re-enact the story of Fionn McCool and the Salmon of Knowledge. We take part in the ‘Food Dudes’ programme so encouraging the children to widen their testing palette would be a nice extension. -
I enjoyed all of these videos. They are all suitable to be shown and interesting for children in school. I particularly liked the video about oysters, mussels and salmon which shows how nutritious and good for you they are. Our school has a healthy eating policy but I have noticed that not all children really understand what healthy food really means. This video shows how salmon is important for brain development and how the other seafoods have selenium and other minerals and vitamins which are needed for our health. From the past, I have noticed that quite a few children in class do not eat much fish or seafood and this video would definitely make seafood more desireable. The story about the salmon of knowledge is one that the children know but combining the story, the video about Fionn Mc Cumhaill and the video about the importance of salmon in the diet would tie them all together. The STEM policy statement focuses on colloboration and critical thinking and this video and the quiz that follows it would definitely help with this.
-
Hi Cathriona,
Most people understand healthy eating in terms of the essential macronutrients we need each day like protein, carbohydrates or fats. Many don’t know how much of the essential micronutrients, their vitamins and minerals, they should be consuming each day and because they’re needed in such small amounts, most don’t know their role in our body! Seafood especially as it contains so many essential vitamins and minerals that are found in our ocean waters.
-
Hi Caitriona, you make a fantastic point about healthy eating, a topic that many children hear about continuously in school, but many children don’t understand what it actually means and what the benefits of different foods are and why our bodies need them. Also linking the video to the childhood myths of The Salmon of Knowledge is a fantastic way of linking new information to something that they have learned about previously, it’ll resonate with them more and stick with them.
-
-
This course has opened my eyes to the role Aquaquaculture plays in County Mayo’s economy, providing numerous job opportunities and supporting local communities. The industry not only supplies a significant portion of seafood but also promotes sustainable practices and environmental stewardship. Incorporating aquaculture into the educational curriculum can help raise awareness among students about its importance and potential.
The resources available at The ARC are exceptionally helpful and informative. The video about oysters stood out to me as particularly valuable. Given our school’s proximity to numerous oyster farms, integrating this topic into our curriculum would be beneficial. This could align with our School Self Evaluation (SSE) goals, particularly by highlighting the local aquaculture industry.
I found the concept of using ‘The Salmon of Knowledge’ very engaging, as it effectively ties together themes of nutrition and literacy. This module has deepened my understanding of the diverse career paths in marine farming, and I am also interested in exploring how we could find field trip to broaden the children’s understanding a little further. We have done that in the recent past visiting a facility in Cong but harvested wild salmon eggs.
Also, for me personally, I really believe that reconnecting children with nature is essential for their development and well-being. In coastal regions like County Mayo, fostering a connection with the marine environment can instill a sense of responsibility for conservation and sustainability. Hands-on experiences and learning about local ecosystems, promoted by this course can inspire the next generation to protect and appreciate their natural surroundings.
-
Hi Harry,
Great to hear you connecting aquaculture back to your own local communities and the benefits it is providing to them! Having aquaculture incorporated into the curriculum can help to benefit children in many of their subjects such as geography, science and socio-economics. Sustainable practices such as aquaculture are essential for protecting our environment and ecosystems, whilst still supplying a food source for a growing population.
-
-
I think the use of the Aquaculture Remote Classroom could be an effective way to explore STEM in school. Having worked as a language support teacher last year I think ARC could be explored through STEM in schools but could also be a tool to help explore how we differentiate for EAL learners in School Self Evaluation. I think the hands – on approach and use of active learning is so effective here for EAL learners and is something that could be implemented in SSE. The real world learning experience is so beneficial for different styles of learning but also provides meaningful content that the language support teacher could pre-teach vocabulary for children with EAL needs thus allowing them to access the curriculum.
I thought the lessons on Sustainable Irish Seafood and What is Aquaculture were interesting. I think children would find exploring ecosystems very interesting and I could see it being used in the junior and senior ends of schools. I also think it’s very effective for environmental science. Last year my school achieved the marine environment Green Flag and my 4th class at the time studied the Great Pacific Garden Patch but I think exploring the eco systems and maybe creating projects on various eco systems or even designing their own eco system could be a really fun and engaging way of teaching STEM in the classroom. They could explore various eco systems and what makes them more effective and you could even let a child with EAL needs explore an eco system with the country they are from and we could then compare that with the ones in Ireland. All of this would present for various opportunities for children to engage in critical thinking which could also be an aim of incorporating STEM into children’s learning in SSE.I find nutrition is something very interesting for children to explore so I really like the idea of the lessons on the nutrition of seafood. I think you could encourage children to start looking at what they eat more and explore how we can be more sustainable. It is a sensitive area depending on different family backgrounds but giving children the tools to learn about different forms of nutrition is great. I think this resource supports the SSE in a school trying to utilise more STEM across the school. It allows for a wide range of teaching methodologies but also inquiry based learning which is so important for developing critical thinking skills and the holistic development of the child. Children often have a great sense of looking after the environment and the ways they can help and exploring these topics definitely promote that too.
-
I found the four videos to be very engaging, interesting and enjoyable. Using these online lessons and resources that were developed for the ARC has given me multiple ideas that will enhance my own teaching practices, that will align with the STEM education policy statement and STEM education as a whole in our school. These resources emphasize the importance of experiments, active-learning, hands on teaching and will develop children’s skills such as innovation, critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork etc. I found lesson two, ‘The Nutrition of Seafood’ to be very interesting. The content in this video is part of the curriculum, however I would never think to focus in on seafood. This topic can be integrated across lots of subjects from science, English, art, maths etc. I also found that the videos are an excellent way of opening up children’s eyes to the vast array of jobs that relate to aquaculture for example marine biologists, farmers, lab workers and could inspire children to work in this industry in the future.
-
Hi Grainne,
I’m glad to hear you enjoyed the content in Module 3 – Socioeconomic Importance of Aquaculture. Many people picture someone working in the marine industry as a fishermen with wetgear, braving difficult conditions. While this may still be true in arts of fisheries, there are so many other possibilities available – from fish farmers to net makers and even accountants – these jobs are all required in the marine sector.
-
-
-
I will definitely use the lessons and resources developed for the ARC in my classroom next year. It would be beneficial to use STEM as a basis for SSE as STEM is a cross-disciplinary approach. Teachers use elements of STEM in each of the primary curriculum subjects. To complete a SSE, firstly the staff could engage in a reflective enquiry and gather evidence of work being done in STEM at that present moment in the school. Gathering information on current practice, students’ achievements and results, and student learning experiences will hopefully identify the areas that are working well as well as an area that could be improved. Improving that area will lead to changes in practices, teacher and pupil experiences, and improved learning for all the students. I would like to promote aquaculture education within my school next year as it provides great opportunities for linkage across the curriculum, not only in STEM but in History, Geography and Visual Arts. It would be great to promote STEM based jobs within the aquaculture industry. To support my teaching of this topic, I would use Lesson Three ‘Aquaculture and the Community‘ from the BIM Online Lessons & Resources. As a school it could be possible to complete classroom projects on marine species farmed in Ireland and look at the possibility of obtaining a Blue Schools Award.
-
The online lessons and resources developed for the ARC (Aquaculture Remote Classroom) provide a rich foundation for integrating STEM education into my teaching practices, aligning with the STEM Education Policy Statement and the School Self Evaluation (SSE) process. The ARC online lessons and resources are child-friendly and modern. They are easily accessible and would appeal to children of all ages. I was particularly interested in the second lesson ‘The nutrition of seafood’ and especially in the story of the Salmon of Knowledge and how, despite the lack of scientific knowledge to prove the benefits of salmon on our bodies and brains, the people of the time knew the benefits simply by eating the salmon.
The ARC lessons, which cover sustainable aquaculture, marine biology, and environmental stewardship, can be seamlessly incorporated into the curriculum. For instance, students can explore the lifecycle of aquaculture species, the science behind sustainable farming practices, and the technological innovations driving the industry. These lessons promote critical thinking, problem-solving, and inquiry-based learning—key aspects of STEM education.
By utilising these resources, I can create engaging, hands-on activities that bring real-world applications into the classroom, such as simulating aquaculture environments or conducting experiments on water quality. This approach not only enhances students’ understanding of scientific concepts but also fosters an appreciation for sustainability.
Implementing these concepts school-wide through the SSE process involves collaborative planning, professional development, and resource sharing among teachers. It ensures a consistent and cohesive approach to STEM education, emphasising cross-curricular connections and real-world relevance. Integrating ARC resources helps build a strong STEM culture, promoting lifelong learning and preparing students for future challenges.
In conclusion, ARC online lessons and resources offer valuable tools to enrich STEM education, aligning with policy goals and enhancing the SSE process by fostering an engaging, sustainable, and collaborative learning environment.
-
The online lessons and resources from this module that I would use is the ARC video on the nutrition of seafood. I would focus on the theme of healthy eating and a balanced diet. With key vocabulary such as nutrition, protein, vitamins, iron, iodine, calcium and minerals.
For the first part of the lesson, I would display and discuss the learning objectives.
Name the different types of seafood.
Discuss the benefits of eating seafood.
I would then use a mind-map with the children on seafood and find out children’s prior knowledge about different types of seafood and why it is important we eat seafood by asking key questions and getting children to ‘think pair share’ before giving feedback.
What is seafood? Name different types? Where would you find them? Has anyone ever tasted seafood and which ones? What did they taste like? What nutrients are in the seafood you have eaten?
After the feedback I would then show the video on the nutrition of seafood to the children. Which discusses different types of seafood and its benefits. Mussels providing iron (provides us with healthy blood). Oysters provide calcium and iodine. Salmon with omega three.
After the video I would get children to work in pairs on an activity to design a poster using digital technology related to STEM to design a poster on the benefits of eating different types of seafood. Children would research their work using Duck Duck Go as their search engine and Canva as a digital means to design their poster on the benefits of eating seafood.
For the plenary, children will display their posters, discuss their work and present their findings.-
Hi Robert,
These are great ideas for integrating the lessons int the classroom! Getting the students to think first about what the seafood is, where it’s come from and what has tasted similar before, is a great way to normalise to the students eating a variety of seafood. And then after the nutritional information given to them will help them decide which is the best for their own balanced diets.
-
-
The four videos were really captivating, fascinating, and quite enjoybale, in my opinion. I’ve gained a lot of ideas from using these ARC-developed online lessons and tools that will improve the way I teach and will be consistent with our school’s STEM education policy and curriculum. These tools will help kids develop innovative, critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaborative skills. They also highlight the value of experiments, active learning, and hands-on teaching. To integrate into the classroom I would first assess the current STEM resources and teaching practices, identifying gaps and areas for improvement. Developing a STEM-focused action plan is crucial, emphasizing professional development for teachers to enhance their subject knowledge and pedagogical skills. Incorporating STEM into the curriculum across all class levels ensures continuity and progression.
-
-
Hi Odhran, I also agree that the four videos were enjoyable and suitable for the classroom. They will certainly develop critical thinking skills, problem-solving as well as many other worthwhile skills. The STEM action plan is also crucial and I would love to hear your ideas for developing this in your classroom.
-
Hi Odhran, I also agree that the four videos were enjoyable and suitable for the classroom. They will certainly develop enquiry-based learning, problem-solving as well as many other worthwhile skills. The STEM action plan is also vital and I would love to hear your ideas for developing this in your classroom.
-
-
I found the four videos particularly interesting, and as I watched them, I found my attention drawn to how I might apply them to my own classroom and practice. In particular, I found video four, relating to the sustainability of seafood to be of interest to our STEM activities.
I would integrate the idea of sustainability to both science and geography. Our school takes great pride in our green flags, and these lessons take relevance to these. Classes may research some Irish fish in their life cycles. Questioning is important. What might impact their life cycles? We would have a discussion on maybe living space, pollution and over fishing. Discussions could be geared towards sustainability in protecting these life cycles. Furthermore, an investigation into living habitats would be a geographical benefit. Children could integrate ict in researching suitable habitats and might even design a habitat for sustainability.As our school focuses on spelling for SSE, word walls and words of the week themed around sustainability could promote an interest in the topic, and ensure that it is highlighted, researched and commonly discussed from the junior end of the school right up to the senior end.
-
-
I really enjoyed examining The ARC online lessons and resources, they are interesting, entertaining and very practical and appeal to children at all levels. I found ‘The nutrition of seafood’ very interesting. The story of the salmon of knowledge was excellent and the link and comparison to the benefits of eating salmon for brain development was wonderful.
Incorporating STEM education into teaching practices is crucial for preparing students for future success in a technology-driven world. Integrating online resources such as The Arc online resources into lesson planning to provide real-world applications of STEM concepts. Having the pupils take part in project-based learning on aquaculture allows them to apply STEM knowledge to solve complex problems and develop critical thinking abilities and creativity.
– Using technology tools to simulate real-world scenarios and encourage analytical problem-solving skills.By integrating the concepts and skills from The Arc online lessons and resources into teaching practices can greatly enhance STEM education within the school setting. By aligning these practices with the STEM Education Policy Statement and integrating them into the SSE process on a school-wide basis, teachers can create a dynamic learning environment for its students.
-
The ARC resource is an amazing ,child friendly resource. I wasn’t aware that ARC existed until now but fully intend to avail of it in due course. Children would thoroughly enjoy every moment of the learning experience here, attractive presentation and so informative. I thought linking ‘The Salmon of Knowledge’ to food nutrition was very clever indeed. The the story links up on many levels
Geographical, Food Nutrition, Creative Arts, Aquaculture and Folklore.
I really enjoyed learning about the many career options available within the industry.
I have to agree with many participants when they say that Aquaculture is an important resource within the Irish economy and is rich in career potential for Ireland. It requires us as educators to support it.
ARC provides a rich foundation for integrating STEM Ed. and it supports the SSE process within a school.
-
-
The ARC resource is an amazing ,child friendly resource. I wasn’t aware that ARC existed until now but fully intend to avail of it in due course. Children would thoroughly enjoy every moment of the learning experience here, attractive presentation and so informative. I thought linking ‘The Salmon of Knowledge’ to food nutrition was very clever indeed. The the story links up on many levels
Geographical, Creative Arts, Aquaculture and Folklore.
I really enjoyed learning about the many career options available within the industry.
I have to agree with many participants when they say that Aquaculture is an important resource within the Irish economy and is rich in career potential for Ireland. It requires us as educators to support it.
ARC provides a rich foundation for integrating STEM Ed. and it supports the SSE process within a school.
-
Hi Mary,
Thanks for your feedback on the ARC as a resources for schools. The interactive aspect of the ARC is probably the biggest draw to students as it gets them thinking about their own community and what resources are there supporting people in their local area. The flexibility of the ARC means it can cover various subjects in the STEM stream!
-
-
Firstly, I most command the lessons and resources on the ARK hub. They are so detailed, well informed and most of all child friendly. Having watched all four videos on the site, video 2 – ‘The Nutrition of Seafood’ really stood out to me as something I could incorporate into my teaching especially under the subjects of Science and SPHE. I can see myself using this video to promote healthy eating in my classroom and to drive home the importance of fish for the development our brain and body. I love the way the video encourages the children to give fish a try just like the presenter did when she visited Donegal.
I really enjoyed the literacy link with the Salmon of Knowledge. Having taught this story for years, it never once occurred to me that this could easily be linked to aquaculture, healthy food eating to name but a few. I will be making link between these in my future practices.
-
Firstly, I most commend the lessons and resources on the ARK hub. They are so detailed, well informed and most of all child friendly. Having watched all four videos on the site, video 2 – ‘The Nutrition of Seafood’ really stood out to me as something I could incorporate into my teaching especially under the subjects of Science and SPHE. I can see myself using this video to promote healthy eating in my classroom and to drive home the importance of fish for the development our brain and body. I love the way the video encourages the children to give fish a try just like the presenter did when she visited Donegal.
I really enjoyed the literacy link with the Salmon of Knowledge. Having taught this story for years, it never once occurred to me that this could easily be linked to aquaculture, healthy food eating to name but a few. I will be making link between these in my future practices.
-
When teaching in schools, we tend to focus more on agriculture and less on aquaculture. This is reflected in our school textbooks which predominantly centered on agriculture and farming. This has made me aware of the importance of promoting sea farming and all it encompasses. The ARC videos are an excellent resource for highlighting the significance of aquaculture in Ireland and provide opportunities for discussing this type of farming. It also provides opportunities for comparing and contrasting both aquaculture and agriculture. This could be a focus for our SSE by placing more emphasis on aquaculture, its role, and its opportunities today, especially considering the variety of sea farming available right on our doorstep in Ireland. Promoting the different aspects of sea farming and its connections to STEM is something I would like to emphasize, particularly for the senior end of primary school. This would allow students to learn about the job opportunities in the aquaculture industry, such as engineers, fishermen/ fisherwomen, marine biologists and commercial divers. This allows children to discover lots of ways in which people can interact with the sea. I will explore the Blue School Award with my class, as I know many of my students would find it interesting.
-
-
Hi Jennifer,
I think many posts here echo the lack of information in text books for aquaculture. But the ARC resources are certainly a stimulus to provoke thought and discussion on the topic of aquaculture and as the pupils are at the senior end, a lot of project work using technology and other curricular areas could be exhausted.
-
I agree with Jennifer, even though we live near a fish farm, we have never critically analyzed the many other elements of the fish farm that created what we see daily. We need to be more aware of all the job opportunities that go with the fish farm not just what we see but the explore the bigger picture. We have worked with Nóirín previously and always enjoyed these practical lessons. Its time for us to develop and expand the knowledge available to us and work on achieving the blue flag.
-
-
The four clips were incredibly entertaining, informative, and captivating. Using these ARC-developed online courses and resources has given me a lot of ideas for how to enhance my teaching and make it more in accordance with the curriculum and policy for STEM education at our school. Kids who use these tools will be able to think critically, solve problems creatively, and work with others. They also stress the importance of practical instruction, active learning, and experiments. Prior to integrating into the classroom, I would evaluate the available STEM resources and instructional strategies, pointing out any shortcomings and potential areas for development. Creating an action plan with a STEM focus and a strong emphasis on professional development for teachers to improve their subject-matter expertise and pedagogical abilities is essential. Including STEM in the curriculum at every grade level guarantees advancement and continuity.
-
Using the video published by ARC I could teach my class an introductory lesson about what exactly aquaculture is and how it is used in our country. We could begin by brainstorming exactly what the children know about aquaculture and use the video as a tool to teach them exactly what aquaculture is. I would show them that aquaculture in Ireland is like farming, but instead of growing plants or raising animals on land, we farm fish and shellfish in the water. Also that, we have clean, cold waters that are perfect for raising salmon, mussels, and oysters. I would communicate that these farms help provide food for people and create jobs for coastal communities. The video is entertaining and would do a great job at communicating these messages to the children. The summary quiz provided by ARC would do a fantastic job at assessing the children’s knowledge of the subject and content provided in the video.
-
Hi Eoghan,
It’s great to hear that you plan to integrate some of the videos from this lesson into your classroom. We aim to make our videos concise and informative to capture and maintain students’ attention. I also love the idea of the brainstorm after watching the video to keep everyone engaged, great lesson planning!
-
-
I think the resources created by the ARC are incredible, and I would love to use them in the classroom. One of the lessons that resonated with me was Lesson 4 on Sustainable Irish Seafood. I plan to bring the children to meet a local fishmonger or invite them to speak to the class. Since our town has two restaurants and one fishmonger run by the same company, this would be possible. I believe this would make the learning real and relevant.
I would start the topic with a question like, “Can choosing eco-friendly fish really make us healthier and save the oceans?” Then, I would show the video from the ARC. The attached quiz would help students self-assess their knowledge before moving on to their project, identifying areas for further research.
The children would then create a project. The STEM aspect would involve creating an app prototype on sustainable food and nutrition or a prototype for an Atlantic fish farm using different materials.
I think this topic could be part of an oral language or problem-solving SSE.
-
Your plan to utilize the ARC’s resources in the classroom is commendable, especially the focus on Lesson 4 about Sustainable Irish Seafood. Engaging students with a local fishmonger adds a practical dimension that can make the learning experience more tangible and impactful. Starting with a thought-provoking question and using multimedia, like the ARC video, is a great strategy to spark interest and discussion.
Incorporating a project where students create app prototypes or fish farm models integrates STEM learning effectively. This hands-on approach will not only deepen their understanding of sustainability but also enhance their problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Including this topic as part of an oral language or problem-solving SSE ensures a comprehensive educational experience that aligns well with real-world applications.
-
-
The topics covered in the ARC lessons are very useful and practical. I could definitely adapt them for use in my own classroom-teenagers in a high support setting so need adapting as a little bit too childish. I would take the topics and mix them materials up with some of the Junior Cert material. The fact that the ARC lessons are so specific to Ireland is great as this will help me to come up with student led tasks that would use our STEM skills of critical thinking, some hands on learning tasks ,and all with a real world focus. I, too, particularly liked the piece about the different career areas in the aquaculture industry.
In terms of SSE, using the materials within this is a much broader area. The school would need to pick STEM as the focus and then we could use the lessons in a cross curricular way-e.g. through geography (setting of aquaculture in Ireland), or Home Economics (nutritive qualities). It is great to have access to a local resource.
-
Hi Deirdre,
I agree with your comment that STEM would have to be an area for whole school exploration with regards to aquaculture, the topic is so vast and offers all class levels a wide variety of topics to explore.
Pupils in the older classes could use the ARC lessons as a starting point and if they were lucky enough to have the ARC visit the school, it would be fantastic way for pupils to engage.
-
-
The ARC online lessons and resources are a fantastic resource for any classroom to have. I found them to be interesting and very practical and child friendly , they will appeal to children of all levels. The ‘Salmon of Knowledge’ is a really clever way of linking nutrition and literacy.
Incorporating STEM education into teaching practices is crucial for preparing students for future success in a technology driven world. The ARC online lessons and resources offer a comprehensive way to integrate STEM education into teaching practices , aligning well with the STEM education policy statement and supporting the SSE process. -
The online ARC lessons and resources provide a great range of topics that I can see my class loving. It is great to have the use of these and I plan on using these next year. Since I have done this summer course it would be great to take this new understanding that I now have on Aquaculture and to share it with staff at a Croke Park meeting for something different. I would encourage the staff to use the ARC lessons and resources in the senior classes and to arrange for the ARC to come and visit our school. I would also consider establishing a Marine or Aquaculture team in our school and to look at the possibility of obtaining a Blue Schools Award as we don’t have that award yet. I would love to go into more detail on carrying out group classroom projects on marine species that we did last year.
-
The ARC resources from BIM provide valuable insights for incorporating seafood and marine topics into primary STEM education. These interdisciplinary resources can teach biological and ecological concepts, marine technology, and sustainability.
Incorporating hands-on learning, such as water quality testing, species identification, and field trips to local fisheries, brings these concepts to life. Promoting sustainability and environmental awareness through lessons on sustainable fishing and marine conservation encourages critical thinking and problem-solving.
Aligning with the STEM Education Policy Statement, the ARC resources help develop critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication skills. They support inquiry-based learning, where students ask questions and investigate.
Addressing STEM education in the SSE process involves assessing current practices, setting goals for integrating marine topics, and developing action plans. Collaborating with local marine organizations can provide additional support.
Using ARC resources, primary educators can enhance STEM learning, making it engaging and relevant while fostering an appreciation for marine science and sustainability.
-
-
Using the online lessons and resources developed for the ARC at The ARC – Online Lessons & Resources, reflect on how you could apply the concepts and skills covered to your own teaching practices, in alignment with the STEM Education Policy Statement and how STEM education can be addressed as part of the SSE process on a school-wide basis.
I think that the lessons on the ARC are very child friendly and they would provoke an interest in seafood farming and allow the children an insight in to other employments and services, which stem from aquaculture. Many children would be taken with the position of sea diving and aquanaut! It would be an interesting lesson to look at the difference between populated and depopulated communities and the differences and similarities, and to critically think, and problem solve on how best to keep areas populated such as those on the west coast, Kerry and Donegal etc. Aquaculture is not mentioned very much, if at all, in SESE programmes, which is a lost opportunity for learning.
From A STEM perspective pupils could explore, research and study the STEM professions which are intertwined with aquaculture. Integrated lessons using more than the traditional STEM subjects of science, technology, engineering, and maths but history, geography, global citizenship, Arts education, environmental responsibility, nutrition, drama, socioeconomic factors and many more curricular areas could be included. The story of the ‘Salmon of Knowledge’ could be the introduction to a lengthy period of learning opportunities and experiences for pupils.
It would be essential to ensure that in gathering information during the SSE engagement that the area of aquaculture is included to see if and how we can be more effective in delivering knowledge about this industry that will be so important from a food provision and sustainability in the future.
-
Hi Martina,
Glad to hear you enjoyed Module 3 – Socioeconomic Importance of Aquaculture! Careers such as commercial diving are some of the most exciting career prospects in the marine sector. Employment as a diver could have an individual working on a salmon farm, or offshore wind farms, and offshore oil and gas rigs. The ability for aquaculture to cover various relevant school topics such as geography, biology, socioeconomics and sustainability, make it an excellent choice of subject to be taught in schools in Ireland.
-
-
These modules and lessons on this course are absolutely great and all the extra information also. I can definitely see myself applying the concepts and skills covered here in alignment with the Stem education policy statement in the coming year. The ARC are going to visit our school in the coming year and hopefully we will plan a visit to Carlingford Oysters as it is on our doorstep. There is nothing better that setting in to the Aquaculture outside classroom to learn hands on skills of problem solving, observation, critical thinking, questioning to name a few.
In our school as part of how STEM Education can be addressed as part of the SSE process we as a school will take part in the 6 steps of 1, Identify a focus e.g. putting more emphasis on Aquaculture in to our learning alongside STEM and the Arts, 2,, Gather information, analyse and make judgement, write and share improvement plan, put improvement plan in to action, monitor actions and evaluate feedback as well as sharing this with the outside school community.
-
The lessons from ARC are simply wonderful. They are appealing, creative and engaging with a very good quiz at the end of each with good humour thrown in too-the ‘Who you gonna call?’ in particular! I have been lamenting all the years I compared & contrasted Donegal to the county I teach in Longford and never linked in the importance of focusing on the jobs available through aquaculture. It is one I will use going forward. Part of our SSE focus is the development of Oral Language as many of our students have English as their second language. These lessons would lend themselves very well to the development of this and has many cross curricular opportunities. Similarly, the lesson about the nutrition in seafood links in wonderfully with the food pyramid in Science and SPHe as well as the excellent link to the Salmon of Knowledge. There is a huge emphasis on the Sustainable Development Goals and through projects such as the Microsoft Dream space-Do your Bit. Using these lessons as a springboard to develop a solution to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development would be ideal. A great way to link in STEM also.
-
My experience of exploring and interacting with the ARC online lessons and resources were extremely beneficial and worthwhile. All aspects were highly engaging, and most importantly the lessons were taught in an active, child-friendly manner. In the coming year, I am excited to implement these practices and skills in alignment with the STEM Education policy statement. Hands- on active learning, critical thinking and inquisitive thinking are all skills that can be fostered through engaging in these lessons about aquaculture. As a 5th class teacher, aquaculture is non-existent in the SESE curriculum at present which is unfortunate as their is an abundance of learning opportunities as outlined in the ARC lessons. As we all know, STEM is becoming increasingly important in today’s world and is evident throughout all job sectors. The ARC Programme integrated into the curriculum would prepare children for future endeavors by exploring STEM in the classroom environment
-
Hi Tommy, I agree with you that critical and inquisitive thinking are skills that can be fostered through engaging in lessons about Aquaculture. The ARC progrmame is an outstanding resource that highlights the importance of aquaculture in Ireland and gives us the opportunity to discuss Aquaculture in a child friendly manner.
-
Hi Tommie,
I completely agree with your perspective. The ARC online lessons are highly engaging and child-friendly, perfect for fostering critical thinking and inquisitiveness. Implementing these in line with the STEM Education policy will greatly benefit students. Integrating aquaculture into the SESE curriculum offers valuable learning opportunities and prepares children for the future.
-
-
I found the online resources and lessons with the ARC very useful and beneficial. The lessons are child friendly end would be interesting for the pupils. Textbooks seem to focus more so on Agriculture with very little to be found with Aquaculture. I think these lessons would allow us to introduce the topic of Aquaculture. A nice way to do this would be to incorporate STEM activities by exploring the different professions that Aquaculture provides both directly and indirectly. The quiz at the end would be a great way to assess the children’s knowledge of the topic at the end of the lesson.
-
The ARC’s online lessons and resources offer a wealth of practical and theoretical knowledge that can be seamlessly integrated into my teaching practices to enhance STEM education, in line with the STEM Education Policy Statement. By leveraging these resources, I can create engaging, inquiry-based learning experiences that foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills among students. For instance, incorporating hands-on activities and real-world problem-solving scenarios from ARC resources can make STEM subjects more relatable and exciting for students, thereby increasing their interest and retention. Aligning with the STEM Education Policy Statement, which emphasizes a cohesive and integrated approach to teaching STEM, I can use these resources to develop interdisciplinary projects that highlight the interconnectedness of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Moreover, the ARC resources can be instrumental in the SSE (School Self-Evaluation) process by providing a framework for assessing and improving STEM teaching practices across the school. Through continuous reflection and adaptation of these lessons, I can contribute to creating a school-wide culture that prioritizes innovative STEM education, ensuring all students have access to high-quality STEM learning opportunities. This approach not only aligns with policy directives but also prepares students for the challenges of the modern world, fostering a generation of critical thinkers and problem solvers.
-
I found the ARC lessons very child friendly. I am excited to use these lessons in my classroom next year. There are many topics in these lessons that I think the children in my class would enjoy discussing. I have no doubt that the children in my class and children all over the country will find learning from a resource like this much more intriguing than learning direct from a textbook. I look forward to sharing these resources with other staff members in my school!
-
The videos were great and are very suitable and interesting for school aged children.There were very informative and provided information on the nutritional benifets of oysters, mussels and salmon. This provides a introduction for the food pyramid and allowing for discussion on the foods we eat . Children are very aware of the foods we sould have limited amounts of but can the talk about foods we should have and why . This video shows that salmon is important for brain development and how the other seafoods ae rich in selenium and other minerals and vitamins which are needed for our healthy development.It tells us that there is more protein in salmon than in beef …something I didnt know . The story about the Salmon of Knowledge is one that the children know but combining the story, the video about Fionn Mc Cumhaill and the video about the importance of salmon in the diet provides a super educational where one could look at the stem policy and address it through these resources .
-
Hi Roisin,
Glad to hear that you enjoyed Module 3 – Socioeconomic Importance of Aquaculture! Many don’t realise the full benefits of eating seafood as it is not eaten regularly enough in Ireland. Important nutrients like iron, Omega-3, and Vitamin D are just a small selection of the variety of nutrients found in seafood.
-
-
I really enjoyed all of the lessons from the videos on the BIM website. I especially liked the third lesson about the people who are involved in all of the processes that take fish from water to plate.
One of the most impressive lessons that I learned from the last module was the number 208 Million euro that is being made here in Ireland through the aquaculture industry. The third lesson on the BIM website highlights the numbers of people within our community that are working in the aquaculture industry. This is a topic that easily lends itself to the Geography curriculum and the SPHE in the strand and strand units ‘People living and working in the local area and People living and working in a contrasting part of Ireland’ and ‘Developing Citizenship’.
Obviously so much of Aquaculture lends itself to the area of STEM. Science recognises the study of aqua cultural animals and environments, technology and engineering through the modern methods and tools used to work in the industry and finally maths; working on the numbers of people in the industry, the money generated to the government and the local people, the affect that topography and temperature have on the profession and many many others.
-
Hi James,
The aquaculture industry is still important for not just the Irish seafood sector, but the Irish economy as a whole, especially in the west of Ireland. We can see in coastal regions where aquaculture takes place, just how important it is to the local community both providing jobs directly, and indirectly.
-
-
-
Looking at the ARC lessons, I can see myself using lesson 2 “The Nutrition of Seafood”. After watching the video I felt that Integrating seafood nutrition into a primary school classroom and as part of the food pyramid tuition.Teachers can start by introducing the nutritional benefits of seafood, such as high protein content, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals essential for growth and brain development. Interactive activities, like cooking demonstrations or tasting sessions, can make learning engaging and practical. Incorporating projects where students research different types of seafood, their health benefits, and their role in a balanced diet can foster critical thinking. Linking these lessons to topics like marine biology and sustainable fishing practices can broaden students’ knowledge of ecosystems and responsible consumption. Additionally, inviting local fishermen or aquaculture farmers to speak about their work can provide real-world context and highlight the importance of sustainable practices. These activities not only educate students on nutrition but also instil a sense of environmental stewardship and community connection.
-
Reflecting on the online lessons and resources from The ARC, I see a great opportunity to integrate STEM education into my teaching practices. By incorporating concepts from aquaculture, such as research into sustainable practices and ecosystem management, I can engage students in real-world applications of STEM principles.
Incorporating STEM education into the SSE (School Self-Evaluation) process school-wide can be transformative. By infusing aquaculture-related STEM activities into various subjects and extracurricular programs, it will be more appealing to pupils. I found the ‘The Nutrition of Seafood.’ Video interesting and informative and I am considering incorporating this into my teaching, connecting it with both Science and SPHE to promote healthy eating among my students and the wider school community. The link between the Salmon of Knowledge story and aquaculture is indeed fascinating and can offer valuable insights into healthy food choices.
We can foster a culture of inquiry, innovation, and problem-solving across the school community. This holistic approach not only enriches students’ learning experiences but also cultivates critical thinking skills and prepares them for future STEM-related careers. By embracing STEM education as part of SSE, we can nurture a generation of scientifically literate and environmentally conscious individuals.
-
-
The ARC online lessons and resources are an excellent tool to support children to gain an understanding of aquaculture. They are pupil-friendly, informative, and broad. I will be using and sharing these resources in the upcoming academic year. I especially enjoyed Lesson 2: The Nutrition of Seafood. In my classroom, I would use this lesson to ignite the pupil’s interest in aquaculture, nutrition, and healthy eating. The pupils would be split into groups and encouraged to choose the fish they are least likely to eat to research. They would create a project on how it is farmed and its nutritional benefits. We might even try some of the seafood they research. This would encourage the pupils to try new fish and understand the health benefits they provide. From an SSE viewpoint, the pupils could present their projects to different class groups within the school, and the teachers could assess the knowledge their pupils obtain concerning aquaculture. This knowledge could then be extended upon as a school community.
-
-
I found the ARC lessons very child friendly and I really enjoyed this module. I am excited to use these lessons in my classroom next year. There are many topics in these lessons that I think the children in my class would enjoy discussing. I have no doubt that the children in my class and children all over the country will find learning from a resource like this much more intriguing than learning direct from a textbook. I look forward to sharing these resources with other staff members in my school. The idea of utilizing “The Salmon of Knowledge” really appealed to me because it skillfully connects the topics of literacy and nutrition. My knowledge of the various job options in marine farming has increased as a result of this module, and I’m now curious to find out how we might arrange a field trip to help the kids’ comprehension grow even more.
-
Hi Niall, it’s great that you found the Salmon of Knowledge video interesting. It is a great tool to explain the importance of eating salmon and the students are always captivated by the video. A field trip is always a great idea and if you are based on the West coast of Ireland you will have no shortage of aquaculture farms to visit.
-
Hi Niall,
I think the presentation on the story of The Salmon of Knowledge was wonderful and as you say would greatly engage the pupils. There are so many opportunities for integration with the ARC lessons, from Literacy to Gaeilge. The lessons are very creative and make great use of digital video and are very child friendly. I have been fortunate to have had a visit from the ARC remote classroom and it was wonderful, a highlight of the year for the pupils, and I would highly recommend registering for a visit.
-
I agree that the use of the story of the Salmon of Knowledge to show the importance of salmon for good brain health through omega 3 fatty acids. This lesson put a new twist on the story and will be most likely how I introduce the topic of aquaculture in my classroom this year. By asking the children to recall the story it will be a great way of using a drama and storytelling lesson to link to a STEM and SPHE lesson.
-
-
Lesson 1 What is Aquaculture?
Lesson 2 The Nutrition of Seafood
Lesson 3 Aquaculture and the Community
Lesson 4 Sustainable Irish Seafood
The lessons are not just confined to STEM areas, there are excellent opportunities for integration with History, with the Story of the Salmon of Knowledge, music and visual artwork. The work would benefit Irish language work with Bia and Nutrition within Science learning.
The pupils are working collaboratively, creatively and problem solving. The pupils are engaging in a range of activities to question, explore, and working actively. Pupils are engaged in inquiry and analysis, which supports and develops the learner’s STEM skills. The pupils can make excellent use of digital technology to learn, present their learning and to assess their work.
The work integrates with the work of the Green School Committee and considers the local implications of Aquaculture within our local community. The school provides opportunities to consider jobs within the Aquaculture Industry, this integrates with Geography.
This work could reflect the work within our school’s self-evaluation by identifying scientific skills that the pupils are developing, identified by the teachers, within our school plan, perhaps highlighting what can be done going forward and what is working well. -
-
The ARC online lessons and resources are outstanding, designed to be both modern and highly child-friendly. They are easily accessible and engaging for children of all ages. The lessons extend beyond the STEM subjects, they offer integration opportunities with SESE, such as the Story of the Salmon of Knowledge, as well as excellent integrating opportunities in visual arts. Students are collaborating creatively, engaging in problem-solving, and participating in a variety of activities that encourage questioning and exploration. Also, students can use ICT effectively, present and assess their progress.
The lessons also link in with the Green School Committee’s initiatives, addressing local aquaculture’s impact on the community. It also opens up discussions about careers in the aquaculture industry, connecting with Geography lessons.
This approach aligns with our school’s SSE by identifying and developing scientific skills highlighted in our school plan. It helps to pinpoint what is working well and what areas need further development for the future. -
-
As someone who grew up in the midlands of Ireland, my knowledge of aquaculture and sea farming is minimal at this point in my life. I know of a man who farmed mussels on the west coast of Ireland for 25 years and he, along with his business partners provided for their family and employed many people young and old in the local community. I enjoyed learning in this module about the different reasons and factors at play for how aquaculture can and does thrive in the west coast of Ireland and in the east with Dublin Bay providing some of the best prawns in the world (I’ve heard!). Learning about aquaculture kind of is opening my eyes to a new industry and a new way of life that is reality for many people on the coast in the same way that agriculture is for many Irish people on land. In rural coastal areas, without aquaculture being supported, the opportunities for people to farm on the land is low and encourages locals to move out of those areas so, the importance of investment and support for aquaculture in these areas becomes more and more real. STEM is a field which many of the children that we teach will find themselves working in and we as teachers can justify exploring this as part of STEM education to get the children thinking and learning about aquaculture from a really early age. I can see so many areas of potential integration with existing curriculum subject areas such as history. geography, science, visual arts and others.
-
As stated in previous module, in our educational system, agriculture often takes precedence over aquaculture, a bias clearly reflected in our textbooks that predominantly focus on farming. This observation has made me keenly aware of the need to advocate for sea farming and its diverse aspects. The ARC videos serve as an outstanding resource for highlighting the importance of aquaculture in Ireland, sparking discussions on this type of farming and offering a basis for comparing it with agriculture. I believe our SSE should place greater emphasis on aquaculture, its relevance, and the opportunities it presents today, especially given the extensive sea farming activities in Ireland. For senior primary school students, I aim to highlight the various facets of sea farming and its links to STEM fields. This will introduce students to a range of career options within the aquaculture industry, such as roles for engineers, fishermen/women, marine biologists, and commercial divers. This approach will help children discover the numerous ways people engage with the sea. Additionally, I too plan to explore the Blue School Award with my class, as I am certain many students will find it fascinating.
-
Hi Kate,
There is a strong preference for agriculture in Ireland, but this is due to us being in our Goldilocks conditions for farming here. This makes the sector and their food products high quality and quite successful worldwide. You raise a good point that aquaculture deserves to be held to a similar regard, as the west coast of Ireland is in an excellent location for sea farming!
-
-
-
Again, this was a wonderfully informative module. I can see how aquaculture is indeed cross curricular and multidisciplinary, making it a perfect topic to explore within the classroom. Global citizenship, environmental awareness and sustainability are hugely topical and relevant for our students. Hearing the statistic that over 2million of our population lives within 5km of the coast makes it even more important that we’re all aware of the richness that aquaculture has added to our communities. The ARC online lesson resources are engaging and interesting for the children, allowing apt opportunities for discussion and further exploration. The videos and word bubble slide on the various job opportunities within the marine sector show the scope within STEM to build and develop understanding around our aquaculture farms. The opportunities to be a drone pilot, ROV pilot and commercial diver open up a whole new way of thinking about the opportunities provided within the aquaculture sector. One objective of STEM education within the SSE process could be to introduce the online ARC lessons as part of a wider goal of working towards gaining a Blue Flag for the school. This would ensure that aquaculure in its cross curricular format would become a feature of the SESE/STEM programme in classrooms.
-
-
Reflecting on the ARC online lessons developed by BIM, I see numerous opportunities to integrate these resources into my teaching practice for 6th class students in South Dublin. The ARC lessons, which encompass themes such as marine biology, sustainability, and seafood, align perfectly with the STEM Education Policy Statement’s goals of fostering inquiry-based learning and interdisciplinary education.
Incorporating the ARC resources, I can design hands-on activities that engage students in real-world applications of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. For instance, we can set up small aquaponics systems in the classroom to illustrate sustainable fish farming practices. This not only aligns with the science curriculum but also incorporates technology and engineering principles as students learn to build and maintain the system. Mathematics can be integrated through data collection and analysis of growth rates and water quality parameters.
Additionally, the ARC resources can support discussions on the economic and environmental importance of sustainable seafood practices. By linking these discussions to the socio-economic impacts on coastal communities, students can better understand the broader context of their STEM learning. This approach not only meets STEM education goals but also enriches students’ understanding of sustainability and environmental stewardship.
On a school-wide basis, incorporating the ARC resources into the School Self-Evaluation (SSE) process can promote a cohesive approach to STEM education. Teachers across different classes and subjects can collaborate to create a multidisciplinary curriculum that emphasizes inquiry, critical thinking, and real-world problem-solving. Regular professional development sessions can ensure that all staff are familiar with the ARC resources and equipped to integrate them effectively into their teaching. By embedding these practices into the SSE process, we can create a sustainable, school-wide emphasis on STEM education that prepares students for future academic and career opportunities. -
The ARC’s online lessons are a great way to support kids in gaining a solid grasp of aquaculture and the opportunities it brings in Ireland. The movies are a great tool for piquing learners’ attention because STEM focuses on accomplishing just that. The videos’ timing gives the kids enough time to finish the tests and reflect on what they’ve learnt thus far and any unanswered questions. In addition to discussing the movies in small groups, they might brainstorm potential new topics to research. The way the material is presented in the final two movies serves as a strong reminder of the need of STEM skill development, which is necessary for surviving and working in the modern world. Although my school is not near the sea, these courses emphasize how important it is to understand what it’s like to be near the sea.
-
-
There are some excellent resources supplied by The ARC throughout this online summer course so far. I love the way each section in the resources gives an optional quiz to complete. Children love being able to complete a quiz either on their own or in groups. This could be extended for children to come up with their own quiz and test other members in the class where possible.
STEM and the School Self-Evaluation process can be linked, integrated and used in many different ways. It could be used on a thematic basis to create new links for learning and accessible resources across all levels to obtain continuity for children in different class groups and class levels. With the curriculum ever changing and more recent the new maths curriculum, this is a great way to include some new changes and receive feedback on what is currently working and what might need changing as we change with the times we are in today.
-
-
There is a strong emphasis on STEM in my school and we have a team of teachers who have been tasked with creating our STEM planning document in line with the SSE recommendations. We are always looking for new ways to incorporate STEM into our curriculum and giving the children lots of opportunities to explore STEM related topics and activities. The ARC online lessons and resources are a great additional toolkit that will help to improve our STEM plan. I plan to integrate these resources into my teaching and our SSE process. I especially like that the ARC lessons and resources encourage enquiry based learning for the children which aligns with our goals to encourage critical thinking and curiosity. For example we could use the information in the lesson on the Nutrition of Seafood to create lab activities for science lessons to look at the nutritional makeup of different types of fish and I can link this with an SPHE lesson about the food pyramid and healthy eating and a history lesson on The Salmon of Knowledge. I can also link this topic with science lessons on the skeleton and bones in the human body. The videos are excellent – very engaging and child friendly and I know my students will enjoy learning from Professor O’Mara.
-
Hi Laura, great to see that your school is very involved with STEM activities.
The ARC online lessons and resources are great for adding STEM activities to your school curriculum. The Salmon of Knowledge video is great to incorporate into your nutrition lessons. Most students already understand this Irish folklore, so after watching the video you can even discuss the importance of fish and it’s health benefits in your diet.
-
-
The ARC online tools and resources included in this module are an invaluable resource to utilise in the classroom, for STEM planning and the SSE process. The module contains a wealth of information in how to apply SSE guidelines to our own teaching and how to improve STEM teaching in our own schools going forward. The four videos included in the module will be effective catalysts for teaching the children about the socioeconomic importance of Aquaculture. In recent years , given the technological age that we live in, I have found that videos are an excellent tool to aid the children’s learning and it brilliant to have these fantastic videos to teach this topic. I also loved the four quizzes included at the end of each video. What is Aquaculture? Fish detective interview. Who you ginna call?Ghostbusters and What is Sustainable Irish Seafood? I will definitely use these with the children .
-
Hi Patricia, I’m glad you enjoyed Module 3-Socioeconmic Importance of Aquaculture. The online lessons and resources we have designed for primary school students are an excellent tool to teach students all about Ireland’s aquaculture industry. The videos are visually captivating and easy to follow and we even find that the teachers benefit from the videos also!
-
-
The lessons and resources developed for the ARC are absolutely wonderful. The two Áine’s and the Professor make the lessons very engaging. The lessons are also modern, which is so important if you are presenting to young children. They can only too easily tune out to a presentation if it does not grab their attention. I think the ‘Aquaculture and the Community’ resource would definitely be one I would use in the classroom. You could ask each child to make a list of all the jobs related to aquaculture mentioned in the video clip. You could then ask each child to chose a profession from the list and research it, the children would be able to do this on ipads which would fit nicely into our Digital Literacy Plan. It would also be something that could be explored in a wider context slotting into our STEM Education Policy. As we live close to the coast it may be possible to arrange a couple of guest speakers. I think that this would be a great activity to promote awareness of aquaculture among the children and direct and indirect impact it has/could have on their lives.
-
Hi Orla, great to hear that you live by the coast. If you live anywhere on the west coast of Ireland you will always be close to an aquaculture producer. When we are teaching on the ARC, we sometimes invite aquaculture producers from the local area to discuss their roles and potential careers in the industry and it is always a great hit. Some of the oyster farmers will even bring oysters for the children to try, which is always very entertaining!
-
-
-
Using the online lessons and resources from The ARC, I can enhance my teaching practices by integrating hands-on STEM activities that align with the STEM Education Policy Statement. These resources provide practical experiments and interactive lessons that make complex concepts accessible and engaging for students. For example, incorporating lessons on renewable energy or coding projects can spark interest in STEM fields and develop critical thinking skills. Aligning these activities with the SSE process, I can evaluate and improve how STEM education is delivered school-wide. This includes assessing current STEM offerings, identifying gaps, and setting measurable goals for improvement. By fostering a collaborative environment where teachers share best practices and resources, we can create a robust STEM curriculum that inspires students and prepares them for future challenges. This approach ensures that STEM education is not only a priority but also effectively integrated into everyday learning experiences.
-
Honestly the quality of the lessons on BIM are unreal and I really like the little quizzes at the end! Who doesn’t love a quiz?! I think I would split the students into four groups and allow each group to take the lead on presenting the lessons/main ideas/additional information they may have researched. I would make a competition out of the quizzes for each group on the iPads.
I absolutely loved the cross curricular nature of the lessons too that lend themselves to almost all areas of the curriculum. With the new curriculum I am always finding ways to integrate Irish into STEM lessons and this would be the perfect opportunity. I also really like the salmon of knowledge linked to nutrition – something that is a big part of our SSE – our new hot lunches and our healthy eating policy review.
We couldn’t be further from the coast in Laois 🙂 but I feel the quality of the resources on BIM (and imagine a visit from ARC) would truly make the students feel as though they were as close to the coast as anyone!
-
-
Its wonderful to discover that there are fantastic resources such as these available to a school. The first tew lessons, “Three Main Types” and “Nutrition” are appropriate for all ages groups, especially incorporating the Salmon of Knowledge.
Personally I was most drawn to lessons 3 and 4, “Aquaculture and Community” and “Sustainability”. From 4th class upwards, considering where our school is geographically these lessons are ideal to foster an appreciation of what we have naturally and man made on our door step. I am interested in asking if perhaps a an trip can be organized so we could visit our local salmon farm and perhaps have someone come an d present to us. Hopefully these are resources available as gaeilge as we live in a Gaeltacht region.
I love the idea of highlighting to the pupils, through cross curricular lessons, the amount of other work/jobs also dependent on these fish farms, jobs that are accessible to them should they choose. Careers within aquaculture such as aquanaut instead of astronaut being a great example are based on the topic of stem.-
Hi Ann, I’m glad you enjoyed module 3. The aquaculture industry provides many jobs to coastal regions here in Ireland so it is extremely important to highlight that when we are teaching on the ARC. The aquaculture and fishing industry employs up to 16,000 people directly and indirectly and provides many jobs to people living in rural coastal communities where agriculture isn’t carried out.
-
-
The ARC video lessons are great starting points for SESE lessons. The general awareness of the children of aquaculture is given in video 1. Then the SESE and SPHE elements are brought to the fore by lesson/video 2 where nutrition is the topic. Children are growing more aware of nutrition and elements like Iron, minerals, Protein and Omega 3 oils etc are included in the lessons and could be extended by the children exploring these elements in other fish and other foods. The SPHE/SESE element would be to the fore again with Lesson 3 where the socioeconomic benefits of aquaculture can be explored. A drama about emigration could be created and the happier scenario of young people returning to work in aquaculture in the various jobs could be enacted.
The sustainability of aquaculture is also an interesting topic and I would have a discussion with the children about water quality, overfishing, protecting our fish, and any other environmental issues arising from the issues raised in the video.
These lessons can all be used to stimulate the children’s interest in Engineering, Manufacturing and Construction as the videos bring up the need for design and building. Mini fish farm models could be constructed.
Children could be asked to create an Online Survey asking other children in the school how much seafood they eat and what their favourite seafood is. This could be presented as a graph using Mathematical skills. Working online encourages the children, and in particular we want to encourage girls to get into ICT, especially in the are of coding. The children could use Scratch or any programming language to create their own questions in a survey.
This would go some way to putting any concerns in the schools SSE report with regard to STEM into action, in the area of encouraging all students to become computer literate, not just as users but also as creators.
-
-
I really enjoyed module 3 and I’ve gained an insight into the vast amount of job opportunities available within aquaculture. I loved hearing that a fish farm in a local area can bring more people, shops, schools and restaurants and how lucky we are in the west coast of Ireland to have the natural resource of the ocean on our doorstep for learning, farming and nature. The online lessons on the ARC give us some insightful ideas to carry out meaningful and authentic STEM style lessons that are perfectly suited towards primary and secondary school students. The Green Flag project is popular in most schools today and I think these ARC lessons could fit in perfectly with this.
Lesson Idea: Design a sustainable Oyster farm with Oyster Gardens
Class: 3rd/4th class -group work
Theme: Earth Day with focus on aquaculture
Project: In your group using single use plastic from the recycling collection, create an Oyster farm that displays sustainability i.e recycled oyster garden/cages.
-
Lesson: The nutrition of mussels
The Arc lessons are fabulous. I particularly loved the Nutrition of Sea food. So much beautiful and very useful information here. So much that lends itself to cross curricular links starting with nutrition. I always alike the food we put in tur bodies to the type of fuel we put into our cars. Bad fuel and that car with splutter, stop and cause engine damage. This is the same as our bodies. Good information about food will help the body to keep going and use its energy in the correct way.
I would love to start with the information about the intertides and how mussels and oysters are found near the top as their hard shells can help them survive when they are out of water during low tides. I found this fascinating especially the fact that they can store seawater in their shells during this time. It would be so interesting for the children to explore this. It would really spark their interest to learn more about this.
Hopefully this would stem their interests (if you pardon the pun) in stem activities .This will lead on to exploration in Geography re locations on the coastlines/calculating high and low tides/effects of gulf stream winds etc.
The science factor of this can be explored through the effects of eating mussels and the body benefitting from this through healthy red blood cells and transport of oxygen through the body
The healthy benefits from eating salmon and omega 3 and vitamins will all tie in .
Hstory :Well the salmon of knowledge story is where it all begins !!
So much exploration can take place from this which should lead to exploration of stem in a very practical way.
Rather than STEM activities being an isolated entity I think when discussing the SSE process to include these activities through the subject being explored. This way STEM is seen as being interrelated throughout the primary school curriculum and the children will benefit more from this
-
Hi Helen! Your reflection on the Nutrition of Seafood lesson is great. I love how you’ve drawn cross-curricular links, making the topic of mussels not just about nutrition but also a gateway to exploring geography, science and even history. Your analogy of food as fuel is a nice way to connect with students, helping them understand the importance of what they eat. Introducing concepts like intertidal zones and the survival mechanisms of mussels is a fantastic way to spark curiosity. Integrating STEM throughout the curriculum, as you suggest, makes learning more holistic and engaging for students. Well done on a thought provoking contribution 🙂
-
-
I enjoyed Lesson Three: The Arc: Aquaculture and the Community. It introduced me to the diverse careers within aquaculture, many of which were new to me. As a SET working with senior classes, I often discuss future careers with students, especially before graduation. This lesson expanded my perspective on farming, highlighting the vibrant aquaculture industry that contributes €208 million to the Irish economy and offers a wide range of career opportunities, from commercial divers to lab technicians. Using the inquiry framework, I plan to construct a lesson around this topic: Engage: Start with a discussion on students’ familiarity with aquaculture and careers related to the sea. I would use the Taste the Atlantic Map and visuals from the ARC lesson to spark interest. Investigate: Students will explore the roles in aquaculture, such as the importance of commercial divers, by analysing case studies or watching videos like the one from the ARC. They’ll also examine how these careers support rural communities. Take the Next Step: Students will brainstorm how aquaculture can be promoted as a viable career option in their own communities. This could involve designing posters or presentations that highlight the benefits of this industry. We could also plan a visit from a local aquaculture professional or arrange a virtual tour of a local aquaculture farm. This approach aligns with the STEM Education Policy while also connecting classroom concepts with real-world application.
-
What I really like about the ARC online lessons is how I can use them across a range of curricular areas. Obviously they are primarily based in the STEM subjects of maths and science but they could also be taught in a geography context, looking at the locations and landscapes of aquaculture in Ireland, or in history context, looking at changing dietary patterns, or in an SPHE context, looking at nutrition. As I work in an Educate Together school we also have our ethical curriculum instead of religious education and the sustainability aspect of aquaculture fits in really nicely with the ethics and the environment strand. In a busy timetable it is essential that if we are to teach children about a topic like aquaculture in any depth (pardon the pun) it has to be across a broad range of subjects, hitting a lot of learning objectives in order to justify the time taken.
As part of this the four online lessons highlighted could act as a really good base for a series of lessons around the theme of aquaculture in Ireland. The videos are very well produced and well pitched to a primary school audience. When building lessons based on these resources it would be important to use a STEM frame of mind and skillset. With our new maths curriculum we are seeing the need to broaden our use of maths outside of the textbook and apply maths skills to the wider world. We could look at aquaculture from a mathematical perspective, for example creating graphs or creating and solving problems. This STEM approach is something that should be applied right across a range of subjects and may be something to engage with further in a future SSE cycle within our school.
-
The online ARC lessons and resources are very informative, interesting and most of all child friendly. I enjoy teaching children about elements of agriculture in History and Geography. I feel that this online course has taught me so much about aquaculture and sustainability and the importance of informing and teaching our students about it. Aquaculture is a way of life for those living on the coast. It is a means of employment and keeps those communities going. The lessons and resources produced by ARC can be integrated into my teaching practices in alignment with STEM education policy statement and the School Self Evaluation Process. Using these lessons enables myself to foster STEM skills among my students, such as, creative problem solving skills, questioning, exploring, collaborating with others and innovating, designing and making. Each lesson connects with skills associated with Mathematics, Science and Engineering. It also feeds into many other subjects across the primary curriculum. Sustainability lesson links with science and the green schools initiative. Nutrition links with SPHE, History and Science. Employment links with Geography and could be linked with English and Irish. I will definitely use these lesson with my class. I will employ elements of STEM to enhance learning. The children will learn about aquaculture and jobs associated with this ever growing industry. I will inform staff members about these online lessons and how STEM education can utilised through engagement with ARC lesson material. We could then discuss areas of STEM that need improvement and set targets for future planning.
-
I found the ARC online lessons and resources very interesting and will definitely incorporate them into my planning and teaching come September. The four online lessons give so much opportunity for STEM integration.
The lesson that resonated with me the most was the first where Aquaculture was introduced. The first lesson defines Aquaculture in Ireland and examples of what we farm. I, myself found the mix of the two Aine’s speaking, the animation, videos, visuals and commentary very engaging and think that this content integrated with STEM could be a perfect opportunity to initiate the childrens’ interest in the topic.
Some examples of applying concepts and skills covered through projects could include; making a creation that would be helpful to farmers flipping over oyster bags, develop an idea of a technology that could be helpful to mussel farmers from their homes,
Through the SSE process, schools in Ireland can enhance their STEM education, ensuring it meets the needs of all students and prepares them for future challenges. This can be directly linked to a number of challenges Aquafarmers face. Through STEM, children are presented with challenges aim to overcome utilising their skills, innovation and reflection. This holistic approach not only improves STEM outcomes but also fosters a school-wide culture of excellence and innovation.
-
Hi Laura,
Glad to hear you are enjoying the course so far and plan to incorporate some of the resources into your lessons in September.
What we have tried to show throughout the course is that the topic of Aquaculture fits into so many of the curricular strands. I would agree that the first lessons on the introduction to Aquaculture is a great starting point and will hopefully spark interest in your students!
-
-
Personally I found all the lesson plans really interesting. I particularly loved lesson two and the nutrition of seafood. However, all the lessons are very well linked. Healthy eating and the nutrients in seafood is an excellent topic to teach children and many people including adults and children alike wouldn’t know that oysters contain more iron than beef for example! The quizzes at the end are very child friendly also. This lesson could be used to teach many areas of the curriculum including History, English and Science. Our SSE plan included literacy and comprehension. It would be an excellent tool for teaching inferencing- oily fish, omega 3’s and the Salmon of Knowledge. The well known story of Tale of Fionn MacCumhail and the Salmon of knowledge used in this lesson would be ideal for this and incorporated into a science lesson on healthy eating and nutrition at the same time.
-
Hi Jennifer, I’m glad you enjoyed the lesson plans and think they are an invaluable resource to your students. I love the Salmon of Knowledge video because it effectively helps students understand the importance of eating oily fish like salmon. These fish are packed with omega fatty acids, which are vital for healthy brain development.
-
-
The ARC’s online courses and materials are fantastic; they’re so child-friendly and up to date. Children of all ages would find them appealing and they are conveniently accessible. The second lesson, “The nutrition of seafood,” piqued my interest in particular. I particularly liked the tale of the salmon of knowledge, which described how the people of the era knew the benefits of eating salmon even in the absence of scientific evidence supporting its richness for our bodies and minds. Given that fish is high in nutrients, it could persuade kids to try fish dishes.
This scenario could be used in many areas of the curriculum eg. Drama: the kids could role-play various restaurant situations, including a patron who refused to try anything new, an interview with the restaurant’s chef, the chef explaining the origins of the cuisine to the wait staff, etc. I would ask the kids to talk about how they would feel in these situations using strategies like teacher in role, freeze framing, etc.
-
-
I was really impressed by the ARC’s online lessons and resources. They provide a handy framework for integrating STEM education into classroom practice. These resources are all about hands-on, inquiry-based learning, which is crucial for developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills. I would apply these concepts by designing lessons that encourage students to engage in real-world problem-solving activities. I would also encourage projects that focus on environmental sustainability. Another approach would be to have engineering challenges. This would allow students to see the practical applications of STEM in their daily lives. The ARC’s resources provide excellent tools for this approach. STEM education can be addressed as part of the SSE process on a school-wide basis by setting clear goals for STEM learning outcomes, conducting regular assessments, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. One approach that would be very successful is integrating STEM themes across different subjects. Similarly encouraging interdisciplinary projects that align with the STEM Education Policy Statement’s emphasis on creativity and innovation would be a great way to create a more cohesive STEM learning environment that prepares students for the challenges of the future.
-
The ARC online lessons are a great resource for teaching the children about a number of topics. The videos are engaging and appropriate for almost all age groups. The enthusiasm that the people in the video have for the topics is contagious and it is clear that all the videos have been produced with care and love for the topics. The first video provides a great introductory platform for learning about aquaculture and covers so much that there are endless possibilities for exploring the topic further with a class. The second video about the nutrition of seafood would tie in very well to SPHE lessons on healthy eating. The third video would be a great way to contrast the communities in which fish farming proliferates and the more urban communities in which the children in my school live. The fourth video is one which I will definitely show my class. Climate Action and looking at alternative (less destructive) ways to live are topics that we cover extensively in my school. Responsible and sustainable fish farming will be a great example of one such alternative way to live. The quizzes are all pitched at an appropriate level for primary school students and look like they would be an enjoyable form of assessment for a class.
-
I agree Mark, that the enthusiasm with which the participants in the videos delivered the information and their passion for their individual roles is so encouraging and would engage children of all ages. The lessons would encourage all who watch them to consider their own impact on our environment, our seas and our climate.
-
-
I enjoyed all the ARC lessons, finding them engaging and interesting. I believe the children in my 5th class would be very engaged in the lessons and would be eager to work on projects highlighting the sustainability of aquaculture in Ireland. The lessons are cross-curricular and suited to children with all learning styles.
I loved the Salmon of Knowledge being used to bring familiarity and integration across subjects. I have never before thought about this story outside the History curriculum.
Over the past two years I have been teaching junior classes but this year I will be returning to 5th class. Having taught 5/6th class previously, I have love using the UN Sustainable Development Goals for SESE lessons. I love how aquaculture fits into to this nicely and look forward to the engaging, interactive lessons we will have. I also feel that teaching about sustainability encourages children and teachers to think about our Global Citizenship and the impact we wish to have on the world.
-
Hi Pauline,
Great feedback here. We give a short introduction to the UN Sustainable development goals onboard the ARC to in our lesson on sustainability. It is great to see young people taking an interest in the topic and coming up with small changes they can make to be more sustainable in their everyday life.
Good luck this year with your 5th class group!
-
-
The ARC resources are really lovely, easy to use and very engaging. The children would love the video on sustainability and it really highlights the importance of maintaining our seas and oceans. It would be easy to use them to plan a lesson around food labels and how to read them. This is an important life skill especially in a disadvantaged area where it can be difficult to access unprocessed foods. We could visit the local supermarket and look at labels or even go into the city to the English Market and explore the food on offer. This would work well with the STEM plan to give opportunities to promote learning and curiosity. It would also be easy to link it with writing or project work as well as many art opportunities. This could also work very well with the Salmon of Knowledge and the lessons linked to the Nutrition of Seafood.
-
The online resources and lessons on the ARC are attractive, interesting and will be very useful for me in the next teaching year. The underscore the significance of aquaculture, particularly here in Ireland and they would provide a could springboard for interesting classroom discussions on this type of farming. More importantly this could generate conversations on how Science, Technology, Engineering (and Art -I often have observed many still using the term STEM instead of STEAM – art can easily be put in here as a cross-curricular link! Evidence from one of the videos explain how graphic designers are needed to make a seafood product eye-catching so that it will be purchased)
Most children in my school would come from an urban or suburban area and some might have small knowledge on dairy or cattle farming yet I think they would still find it very interesting to learn about aquatic life and farming.
I really liked lesson 2 on nutrition linking it in with the story of the Salmon of knowledge and why OMEGA 3, zinc iron and B12 are important for growing bodies. There are many opportunities here to learn about how aquaculture is sustainable. Recently in our Development Education Fairtrade project we ran we 6th class – we played the ‘Coffee chain game’ – we learned how coffee goes from faring, processing, shipping, roasting etc to supermarkets and how unfairly people are paid. There are relevant links to be made here in the shorter and more localised process of aquafarming (while acknowledging obviously how different these products are and how unfairly wealth and payments are distributed). The aim here would be to foster empathy for coffee farmers but to also make students aware how lucky we are to live in a country that is harnessing local produce and making it into an industry – as well as seeing the value in it.
-
There are so many opportunities in the ARC lessons to integrate STEM education. Children love learning through experiments and by discussing the manner of harvesting oysters and mussels with dependence on low tide, this creates a wonderful opportunity for children to experiment in making tide pools to learning about the moon and tides.
Lesson 2 provides a great insight into the nutritional benefits of fish which can closely link in to STEM education. This can be brought about by studying the food pyramid with the children, recommended daily requirements and the importance of nutrients for children’s growing bodies.
Lesson 3 provides great examples to the children of caring for the equipment to ensure the best yields in farming. I feel as though the children would love to make their own nets which would really allow children to incorporate their STEM education – discussing what materials work better than others, how much they would need and how to mend nets if needed. The quality, temperature and health of the water is very important to marine biologists, there are many experiments that could be carried out on the school water to check out the quality.
Lesson 4 focuses on sustainability which is something linked closely with STEM. There are many opportunities for learning especially with case studies like Clare Island and exploring the concept of Origin Green and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Many of these experiments could be carried out during science week and used as part of the SSE process throughout the school. It is great to see all the hard work that goes into aquaculture. I really feel the children would benefit hugely from these lessons with so many opportunities to integrate STEM.
-
I think that this course has really shown ways to spark children’s curiosity in aquaculture. The first online course video on the ARC resources would be a great conversation starter on aquaculture. If the volume was muted and you paused the video at certain parts you could initiate imagining, question and exploring skills about aquaculture eg Describe a farm …. Are there any other types of farms, what would a sea farm look like, how would it be similar / different to a land farm, what kind of animals could be farmed, crops grown, how could you catch and keep them, how would you care for them, how would you harvest them, what machinery would you have. Each question would generate more questions and discussion. As a pre learning assessment the children could design their own sea farm in groups. As part of using skills and content knowledge to creatively solve problems the children could brainstorm the questions / solutions to how you would keep the animals or crops. Collaborating and engaging with inquiry and analysis would happen naturally throughout this. For innovating, designing and making the children could design and / or explore designs for aquafarms eg mussel ropes, oyster trays, fish cages and the materials used and attributes needed for suitable materials. Testing and modifying their solutions could come after learning about aquafarming and viewing the video uninterrupted and with sound. They could modify their solutions as part of a post learning activity.
‘STEM is interdisciplinary, enabling learners to build and apply knowledge, deepen their understanding and develop creative and critical thinking skills with authentic contexts. ‘
As part of the STEM curricular integration encouraged by the SSE linked activities could include language lesson on ‘aqua’ prefix and words associated with the sea. Some forum posts had great ideas on designing a menu or packaging for marine produce. This would link with language, creativity, graphics and art. Geography would be central when looking at the location of aquafarms. Graphs could be created based on choice of seafood. Lessons on the foods and diets of other cultures and countries would integrate with History and Geography. -
There are 3 really important ways you can apply this to your teaching and learning. The ARC is such a fantastic resource there is countless ways but I focused on the below.
Differentiated Instruction: The ARC lessons emphasize tailoring instruction to meet diverse learners’ needs. You can implement differentiated strategies in your classroom by creating multiple pathways for students to engage with material. This could include offering varied assignments based on student readiness, interests, or learning profiles.
Use of Technology: Incorporating technology is a key aspect of ARC lessons. Explore using interactive platforms, educational apps, or online resources that can enhance student engagement and provide alternative ways for students to demonstrate understanding.
Active Learning: The ARC approach encourages active participation from students. You can apply this by incorporating more hands-on activities, group discussions, and problem-solving tasks in your lessons, allowing students to take charge of their learning. -
-
Incorporating ARC-Online Lessons and Resources into my teaching will enhance STEM education in accordance with the STEM Education Policy Statement and the School Self-Evaluation (SSE) process. These resources are designed to boost student engagement through interactive, hands-on activities and tangible materials, making STEM subjects more relatable and accessible to my students. I plan to collaborate with colleagues to share best practices and integrate STEM education into my teaching plans. Using ARC’s assessment tools during the SSE process will be ideal for gathering and analyzing data on student performance and engagement, helping to set SMART targets. The tracking tool can then be used to continuously monitor these targets and update school improvement plans as needed.
-
The online Arc videos are a fun and engaging way to introduce various topics for the children to explore. They are very child friendly and I can see my class next year really enjoying them. I think they would really enjoy Professor O Mara and the way he presents the material in a very accessible way. The quizzes are also a great way to assess the child’s learning. I thought the survey where the children quiz their family and friends on their knowledge and attitudes towards fish and aquaculture a great way to link in with the home. I found the video on the nutritional benefits that fish provides very insightful. Many different lessons could be incorporated here, eg place value, ordering numbers, healthy eating, looking into reading food labels on fish packaging and how to read and understand the traffic light system on food packaging. Maths lessons where they compare and contrast different types of fish and eg whitefish or shellfish and their different habitats(zones) using Venn diagrams for example. Lessons and group projects on sustainable aquaculture practices would help increase Stem skills and develop their critical thinking and problem solving skills while working collaboratively. Lessons on materials eg designing wellies for younger classes,eg wetsuit for the older classes where they design and test their ideas. We regularly have the coast guard come and visit our school which the children really love but I think it would be really interesting and a great idea to have a diver come to visit our school to discuss their job!A blue school award for our school would also be a great way for our whole school to become more actively involved in the care of our oceans,seas and rivers. This could be a new target for our SSE in our school and discussed amongst the staff. I am looking forward to sharing these great resources with my colleagues next year.
-
-
Using the online lessons and resources developed for the ARC at The ARC – Online Lessons & Resources, reflect on how you could apply the concepts and skills covered to your own teaching practices, in alignment with the STEM Education Policy Statement and how STEM education can be addressed as part of the SSE process on a school-wide basis.
The ARC lessons and resources make the topic of aquaculture such an easy topic for educators to teach to their class. The videos capture the students’ attention straightaway and are a simplistic way of introducing aquaculture. I think a lot of the children would be very interested in the sea diving and aquanaut. The videos also provide children with the opportunity to become aware of jobs that aquaculture provides and this may spark an interest for a young learner to go down this path. Before doing this module I have to admit I haven’t taught much on this topic. However, since engaging in the course I can see how important it is to teach to young students. It really allows them to understand the difference they can make as consumers i.e buying organic, sustainable and ethically produced food.
In relation to STEM in schools aquaculture could be a fantastic project for children to research. I am located close to the sea and doing a project like this would allow the children to become aware of aquaculture within our own community. The kids could invite local people working within the area.
As part of our whole school SSE planning I think it would be a great idea to apply for the blue flag in association with the Blue Schools Award.
-
Integrating ARC Resources into STEM Education
The ARC’s online resources offer a valuable toolkit for enhancing STEM education. By incorporating inquiry-based learning, problem-solving, and critical thinking elements, these resources align seamlessly with the STEM Education Policy Statement’s emphasis on developing well-rounded, future-oriented citizens.To integrate these resources into my teaching practice, I would focus on project-based learning, encouraging students to explore real-world challenges through hands-on activities and research. The ARC’s emphasis on collaboration and communication can be fostered through group work and presentations. Additionally, incorporating digital tools and technologies from the ARC can enhance students’ digital literacy and prepare them for the digital age.
On a school-wide level, STEM education can be integrated into the SSE process by identifying STEM-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Students can research these goals, propose solutions, and develop action plans. The ARC’s resources can support students in gathering data, analyzing information, and communicating their findings. By embedding STEM throughout the curriculum and extracurricular activities, schools can create a culture of innovation and problem-solving, empowering students to become active contributors to a sustainable future.
-
Each of the ARC lessons are very useful in the classroom when teaching STEM and linking to other areas of the curriculum. Lesson 1 provides an overview of aquaculture, in addition it could be linked to a maths lesson in relation to the number of fish farms on Ireland through measure and algebra. Lesson 2 is particularly useful in our school at the moment as we have recently reviewed our healthy eating policy. It will be very useful when teaching about the importance of a varied diet with a focus on vitamins and minerals. Lesson 3 provides a fascinating insight into the types of jobs which are available as a result of aquaculture, from farming to net making to marine biology. The lesson also focuses on the importance on working outside and enjoying the freedom of nature while at sea. The fourth lesson is a useful tool for teaching the importance of sustainability and linking it to the current practices we have in school and our local community.
-
Firstly, I most command the lessons and resources on the ARC hub. They are so detailed, well informed and most of all child friendly. Having watched all four videos on the site, video 2 – ‘The Nutrition of Seafood’ really stood out to me as something I could incorporate into my teaching especially under the subjects of Science and SPHE. I can see myself using this video to promote healthy eating in my classroom and to drive home the importance of fish for the development our brain and body. I love the way the video encourages the children to give fish a try just like the presenter did when she visited Donegal.
I really enjoyed the literacy link with the Salmon of Knowledge. Having taught this story for years, it never once occurred to me that this could easily be linked to aquaculture, healthy food eating to name but a few. I will be making link between these in my future practices.
-
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.