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I particularly liked the “Sustainable Fish Farming” lesson. This lesson transforms a biology topic into a full STEM challenge. Instead of just labelling fish parts, students act as environmental engineers.
They must design a fish farm that balances food production with ecological health, requiring them to calculate space in Maths, research marine biology in Science, and build a physical prototype in Engineering. The ARC resources show that STEM works best when it’s not just four separate subjects, but a way to solve real-world problems.
On a school-wide level, we can move beyond one-off projects by making STEM a core part of our self-evaluation process. By looking at what we already do and where we’re lacking, we can set shared goals—like ensuring every class does an inquiry-based project each term. This turns STEM from a set of lessons into a consistent culture of curiosity and problem-solving that prepares students for the real world.
I loved the Irish myths and legends at school myself and using them to link nutrition into the lives of young children is such an interesting way of linking subjects and bringing everything together for the infant classes.
And indeed important for your own county of Tipperary John! The mighty Shannon river and Lough Derg are to the north “coast” of Tipperary. These freshwater resources do have a positive socio-economic effect in terms of tourism, fishing, electricity and so on.
Hi Sarah,
You are right about focus on the little things with the younger groups. Activities like litter picking, healthy eating and food waste. The Green Flag scheme is excellent and always a reminder of what we can do to support sustainability and our environment.
My school is uniquely positioned where three counties meet. Sustainability in Limerick, Clare and Tipperary can be understood through the close relationship between people, land and water. The Shannon Estuary, the River Shannon, Lough Derg and the Atlantic coastline provide important habitats, recreational spaces and sources of employment. They also support fishing, aquaculture, tourism, transport and food production. These activities demonstrate that sustainability is not simply about protecting nature; it is about finding ways for communities to benefit from natural resources without damaging them for future generations.
Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) provides a particularly useful way of exploring this idea. BIM supports responsible environmental practice within Ireland’s seafood industry and promotes the sustainable development of fisheries and aquaculture. Its Aquaculture Remote Classroom (ARC) introduces pupils to the farming of aquatic plants and animals, including oysters, mussels and salmon. The programme links closely with SESE Science, SESE Geography and SPHE, while also using virtual reality, video, quizzes, mapping and group activities.
Seafood is a useful topic for Irish primary classrooms because it connects healthy eating with science, the environment and local communities. Fish and shellfish provide important nutrients such as protein, omega-3 fats, vitamin D, iodine and vitamin B12. Children can learn how these nutrients support growth, the brain and overall health.
The topic can be linked with Science, SPHE, SESE, Geography, History, Mathematics and Gaeilge. Pupils might compare food labels, design a balanced meal, study Ireland’s fishing communities, map where seafood comes from or learn simple Irish words such as iasc and bradán.
Seafood also provides a chance to discuss sustainability, including overfishing, fish farming, pollution and responsible food choices. Lessons should be inclusive and take account of allergies, cultural beliefs, family diets and cost. No child should be expected to taste or handle seafood.
Overall, teaching about seafood can help children make informed food choices while developing respect for Ireland’s marine environment and the people who depend on it.
I really enjoyed this module. I found learning about healthy eating and the food pyramid captivating. The information on the Nutrition of Seafood was excellently presented.Hi Diarmuid,
I read your post with interest. STEM has become an almost mainstream subject in schools with oportuniries for projects being thought of all of the time. Many subjects can be brought together through STEM. The BIM resources and ARC lessons are an excellent opportunity to support learning goals in STEM which many schools have included in SSE plans.
Hi Marie,
This module was very important in showing us how inmportant the aquaculture industry is to the communities of our western coast. It was very interesting to learn how sustainable and important the industry is to many communities. The primary and secondary employment created hekps the comunities thrive and grow maintaining them into the future.
The west coast of Ireland is famous for its stunning, rugged scenery but that same beauty makes life pretty challenging for traditional farmers. When you look at the rocky mountains and poor soil in these remote areas, it is easy to see why farming on land is so difficult. However these exact conditions are what make the coastline a perfect spot for aquaculture. By moving from the fields to the sea local communities have found a way to thrive in places where other industries might struggle.Most of these fish farms are tuckesd away in sheltered bays and inlets along the Atlantic. These spots offer a bit of a ‘Goldilocks zone’ because the water stays mild thanks to the Gulf Stream rarely hitting extreme temperatures. Whether it is salmon in the deeper, faster currents or oysters on the flat tidal shorelines, the geography of the coast dictates what can be grown and where. In places like Killary Fjord, which is Ireland’s only fjord, the deep, sheltered water provides a unique environment that was carves out by glaciers thousands of years ago.
Beyond just being a source of food, these farms are the backbone of many coastal towns. They provide much-needed jobs both directly on the farms and indirectly in the local ecomomy. In many of these remote western regions, aquaculture is actually the main type of farming, helping to keep small communities alive and vibrant. It is more than just an industry; it is a vital part of the social and economic wellbeing of the country, linking the people of Ireland to the sea that surrounds them.
I really believe BIM’s resources are an excellent resource for our schools. The Aquaculture Remote Classroom (ARC) is such a brilliant tool because it is immersive and interactive, which is the complete opposite of a regular day in a regular classroom
It is easy to see how the online modules could help us weave topics like biology, geography, and nutrition right into the 5th and 6th-class programme. It gives students a chance to really understand the historical importance of farming and learn about the biological details of species like the Atlantic salmon.I think the most impactful part is introducing the idea of Social License—it is all about building that ongoing acceptance and understanding of the industry within the community. This helps kids see the real-world sustainability and socioeconomic importance of Irish seafood. Projects like Taste the Atlantic are fantastic for connecting them to their coastal heritage. Honestly, after looking into this seafood journey, I am ready to pack a bag and head off along the Wild Atlantic Way myself!
Hi Rosemary,
I’ve been to this area of north Donegal a few times and this course made me think of the area in particular in terms of the aquaculture industry and how it will be of benefit to the children of the area. With the number of primary and secondary jobs that could be be created or found through the industry in the area aquaculture education is clearly very important.
Using your local heritage is so important. It can be sometimes be hard to remember to do so with our busy curriculum. However some of the best memories for children of learning can be when it is linked to the local area through art, history, geography and many other areas. Keep up the great work. Beir bua!
Children in Rang 6 will definitely be ready to learn about atoms and their structures. Becoming familiar with the language of science and chemistry is an important step before they make their way to secondary school and more intense interrogation of the actions of atoms. An introduction to the periodic table and language such as protons, neutrons, electrons and nucleus will form part of a series of lessons.
Dr. Ernest Walron – Nobel Laureate
Ernest Walton was the only Irish-born recipient of a Nobel Prize in Physics. We often hear stories of Ireland’s winners of a Nobel Prize in Literature and Peace but it should be very important to highlight that we have also had a winner in a scientific category.
Ernest Walton and his colleague John Cockroft were awarded the prize for their work in creating a device that could split the atom. Their Nobel Prize citation read: “Thus for the first time, a nuclear transmutation was produced by means entirely under human control.”
Although a full understanding of the work achieved by nuclear physicists may not be possible in upper primary, the achievements of Ernest Walton could be used as an inspiration in the areas of STEM. A discussion around what inventions and achievements in the area of atomic science happened in the years after the Cockroft-Walton generator was invented and how atomic energy has changed the science and the world.
It was also interesting to learn that Austrian Erwin Schrodinger also received a Nobel Prize in Physics as an Irish citizen having been invited to live in Ireland before the war.
