[Blathnaid Doyle]

Hi Emma,

Thank you for our reflective piece. You made some great points, I am glad to hear you found the module interesting. Exploring a map and linking the topic to geography is a great way to teach the topic in a hands-on way. I completely agree that the lesson can lead to a deeper discussion on jobs, resources and the local communities tied to aquaculture, often the students are surprised by the variety of industries supported by the farms.

The ARC Team

[Blathnaid Doyle]

Hi Emma.

Thank you for your reflective piece. I liked your point that learning about aquaculture is a great pathway to learn about wider topics such as sustainability. I agree that the older classes can really benefit from learning about social license – using case studies can really help bring this alive in the classroom, such as rural Irish communities dependant on aquaculture as a support.

The ARC Team

[Blathnaid Doyle]

Hi Geraldine,

Thank you for your response. I really liked your ideas for exploring the topic of STEM with the junior classrooms, i also agree that at this age, it’s important that creative, practical and multisensory experiences are used. I am glad to hear you think the ARC is a great pathway to explore the topic.

The ARC Team

[Blathnaid Doyle]

Thank you for your piece Sile!

I liked reading about how you completed the bridge building activity to explore STEM in the classroom, I am sure the students also enjoyed the artistic element of the project.

You made an excellent point about using open-ended questions, this can really get the students thinking deeply about the topic. I am glad you benefited from the ARC resources.

The ARC Team

[Blathnaid Doyle]

Thank you for your reflective piece Sophie. It’s great to hear how you would use the topic of aquaculture in your class to explore STEM learning. I liked the idea of the students designing their own sustainable fish farms.

You made another great point on the importance of using local and relevant industries as case studies in the classroom. Applying things the students see in their local area can really help them connect and engage with the topic. While teaching on the ARC we often explore rural communities on Ireland’s West coast and the importance of aquaculture to these communities.

The ARC Team

 

[Blathnaid Doyle]

Thanks Patrick!

You made some great points, I really liked your idea of making the connection between nutrition and maths, completing the experiments. Comparing the weights and protein is a brilliant idea.

‘Source to table’ is a great project idea, if focusing on seafood I have heard of ‘tide to table’ and ‘farm to fork’ (for aquaculture species). Making links between the supply chain and the end result often highlights the work that goes into one meal!

The ARC Team

[Blathnaid Doyle]

Great reflective piece Sophie! I especially liked your idea on exploring the topic through students researching the different types and making comparisons with other sources of protein, student can also work in groups while focusing on one species, maybe even completing posters.

I agree that being close to the sea, you have a great opportunity to connect the topic to the students daily life. Exploring seafood labels can be a great way to connect nutrition and sustainability.

The ARC Team

[Blathnaid Doyle]

Thanks Jane!

I really liked your point on making the school lunches design more inclusive to students and parents. I also agree that students are often more adventurous with trying new foods with their peers, especially when oysters are involved!

The ARC Team

[Blathnaid Doyle]

Thanks Jane!

I really liked your point on making the school lunches design more inclusive to students and parents. I also agree that students are often more adventurous with trying new foods with their peers, especially when oysters are involved!

The ARC Team

[Blathnaid Doyle]

Hi Denis,

Thank you for your response. I think your idea to look at seafood based recipes is a fantastic method to engage with this topic. Spice bags are so popular at the moment, I think the students will love that! Fish tacos is another great one.

Having the students ‘design a dish’ or also making ‘seafood swaps’, where the students think of a weekly meal in which they could swap one of the ingredients to include seafood, are great ways to introduce the topic of nutrition. I have also heard of students doing art projects; choosing one seafood species and creating posters which include the nutritional benefits of the species.

The ARC Team

[Blathnaid Doyle]

Hi Rachel,

Thank you for your response. It’s fantastic to hear how you link sustainability with your local area, the Shannon is a fantastic environment to research with the students. As you mentioned, connecting these environments with topics like sustainability, water quality and resources is so important. I absolutely agree that linking the topic of sustainability to the students local area really makes a meaningful connection.

If you are looking for more resources to engage with the topic and exploring those habitats, i know there are great biodiversity posters on Bird Watch Ireland & the National Biodiversity Data Centre websites.

The ARC Team

[Blathnaid Doyle]

Hi Jane,

Thank you for your feedback. I completely agree with the points you have made. I think the weather this summer will highlight the rapidly changing climates to a huge amount of people.

Discussing sustainability efforts both at home and in the classroom (while constantly linking it to the local community and the wider world) is so important.

Thank you.

[Blathnaid Doyle]

Thank you for your feedback. It’s great to hear about the sustainability efforts made in your local area, the park sounds like an excellent environment for hands on engagement with the students. There are lots of resources online which could support this, I know that Bird Watch Ireland & the National Biodiversity centre has an array of educational posters which could support the hands-on engagement!

The ARC Team

 

[Blathnaid Doyle]

Hi Eithne,

I am delighted to hear that this module changed your understanding of the nutritional benefits of seafood. I agree that seafood provides a great opportunity for pupils to explore healthy eating while also learning about sustainable Irish food sources, often they are unaware of how easy seafood can be to prepare for meals.

I also liked your idea of encouraging pupils to think critically about the Food Pyramid and discuss what really makes a balanced diet.

The ARC Team

[Blathnaid Doyle]

Hi Mary,
It is great to hear that this module helped you look at aquaculture in a new way. You made a great point about how Ireland’s coastline provides ideal conditions for aquaculture and how these farms are closely connected to local communities. Many aquaculture businesses have strong family and community links, which highlights the important role they play in coastal areas.

I also agree that using local examples is a great way to bring this topic to life for pupils. Exploring aquaculture in their own area can help children understand how the seafood industry supports jobs, communities and the environment around them.
The ARC Team

• This reply was modified 2 months, 2 weeks ago by Blathnaid Doyle.

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