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Hi Grace,
I completely agree that learning about the nutrition of seafood is a fantastic way to teach children about healthy eating from a young age. Foods like salmon, mussels, and oysters are rich in omega 3, iron, and vitamin D, all of which are important for children’s growth, brain development, and overall health. Teaching these benefits early helps children understand why seafood is good for them and encourages positive eating habits.
Another possible classroom activity to support this topic could be a “Seafood Nutrient Matches,” where students match different types of seafood to the nutrients they provide, such as pairing salmon with omega-3 or mussels with iron. This could be completed by a poster-making session on how these nutrients help the body grow and stay healthy!
Bláthnaid
Hi Orla,
Great response to module 4.
You’ve made an excellent connection between nutrition education, SPHE, and initiatives like Bord Bia’s ‘Food Dudes’. Teaching students where seafood sits in the food pyramid is a great way to promote balanced eating, and linking it to nutrients like omega 3, iron, and iodine helps make the benefits clear. As an island nation, it’s important we highlight the value of these nutrients and how easily they can be found in our own waters.
Bláthnaid
Hi Emma,
It’s great to hear how this module has helped you see aquaculture in a new light and recognise its economic value & the available career links within the sector. I agree that connecting it to real jobs in STEM, tourism, and local communities makes it much more engaging for students.
Inviting in guest speakers from local aquaculture sites, fishmongers, scuba centres always impresses the students. I have also also attached a link below to register for a school visit from the ARC.
Blathnaid
https://bim.ie/a-seafood-way-of-life/the-arc/registration-form/
Hi Emma,
Thank you for your response to module 4!
I really like how you’ve mentioned that seafood is important for children as well as adults, especially linking salmon, omega-3, and vitamin D to brain health, vision, and sports. The ‘Eye Spy in the Supermarket’ idea is a great, hands-on way for students to learn about sourcing, sustainability, and reading labels.
You could also try a “Design Your Own Seafood Label” activity using recycled packaging, with terms like farmed, organic, and sustainable. It’s a nice way to link SPHE, science, art, and even maths, while helping students connect healthy eating with environmental awareness.
Bláthnaid
Hi Mark,
Thank you for sharing your piece!
It’s great to see how you connect the children’s interest in the sea with learning about aquaculture and sustainability. Using fun, interactive tools like quizzes, videos, and maps is a brilliant way to keep them engaged, and linking the ‘Taste the Atlantic’ programme with geography gives them a real sense of where seafood comes from and how it’s farmed in Ireland. This helps them understand the importance of sustainable practices but also builds a connection to their community.
Bláthnaid
Hi Catherine,
Thank you for your response to module5!
It’s great to see such a community based approach to biodiversity in your area, the focus on habitat improvements really stands out. Your school’s involvement through the Green Schools programme is inspiring, especially how inclusive it’s been (the sensory garden is a lovely idea).
I love the idea of replanting native hedges with support from “Trees on the Land” and the wildflower strip in the yard, small changes like that make a real difference. The outdoor interactive boxes sound fantastic too, what a great way to encourage curiosity and learning through nature!
Bláthnaid
Hi Serena,
Thank you for your response to module 1!
You’ve explained the value of aquaculture in the classroom very well. I agree that showing students where their food comes from really helps them understand the bigger picture around sustainability. The ARC is a fantastic resource, especially for bringing the topic to life in a way that’s engaging and memorable.
I also liked your point about how these tools can support teachers who might not feel overly confident covering aquaculture. Your explanation of social licence is spot on too, it’s a great way to help students see how industries and communities are connected, and that their voices can and do matter.
Bláthnaid
Hi Michelle,
You’ve raised such an important point; as an island nation, it’s surprising how little focus we place on the sea in our classrooms. The ARC is a brilliant opportunity to change that, especially with your school being so close to Dublin Bay.
I love your idea of combining the workshop or videos with a walk to explore mussels on the shore, a great way to make learning real and memorable. The life cycle of the salmon for younger classes is a lovely touch too. Social licence and the career-focused resources like the Young Chef Ambassadors can really open students eyes to new opportunities while building awareness of sustainability. Great ideas!
Here is the link if you would like to register your school for a visit from the ARC:
https://bim.ie/a-seafood-way-of-life/the-arc/registration-form/
Hi Laura,
You’ve made some excellent points!
The ARC sounds is a brilliant resource, especially for children living near the coast; connecting classroom learning to the local environment makes it so much more engaging. I also really liked your idea of a seaside nature walk to reinforce the workshop content. Using Social Licence in senior classes is a great fit for Geography, and it’s a powerful way to show children how communities can influence industries.
Bláthnaid
Hi Emily,
Fantastic response!
It’s great to see how your village is growing while still focusing on sustainability and community. The refurbishment of the old parish hall through the renewal scheme sounds like a brilliant example of reusing existing spaces in a thoughtful, sustainable way.
Initiatives like ‘Town Centre First’ help make the village more vibrant while encouraging people to stay connected and active in their local area. It’s also lovely that your school works closely with the Tidy Towns committee; creating a connection with the village and sustainability.
Bláthnaid
Hi Laura,
Thank your for your response to module 5!
It’s brilliant to see how much sustainability has grown in your area, from the development of greenways and the “Walk on Wednesdays” school initiative to the visible shift towards solar energy in homes and businesses.
Community involvement through the Tidy Towns Competition is a lovely way to bring people together while caring for the environment, and it’s great to see so many efforts to reduce waste; like widely available recycling facilities, compost bins, and deposit return schemes for plastic and cans. All of these initiatives could be discussed in the classroom.
These kinds of local actions really show how small changes can lead to a more sustainable future.
Bláthnaid
Hi Christine,
It’s great to hear about all the ways sustainability is being encouraged in your local area. The replanting of forests after felling is such a practical example of long-term thinking, and I love the creativity behind the book swap in the old phone box! Initiatives like the swap shops and farmers markets really show how small changes can make a big difference in reducing waste and supporting the local ‘circular’ economy.
Your school’s efforts through the Green Schools initiative are really inspiring. I especially liked the uniform and Christmas jumper donations, it’s a simple, thoughtful way to promote reuse while also supporting the school community. These are lovely examples of sustainability in action, both at home and in the classroom.
Bláthnaid
Hi Maire,
Thank you for your response to module 5.
It’s lovely to hear about all the great sustainability efforts happening in Passage West! The greenway redevelopment sounds like a brilliant project; not just for accessibility, but also for encouraging biodiversity. I really like how local creativity is being celebrated too. ‘Passage West Creates’ sounds like a special place, and it’s great to see artists using natural, local materials in their work.
You’ve mentioned some really good ways to bring all of this into the classroom. A biodiversity walk along the greenway would be a great learning experience (maybe bringing small sketch books and noting any wildlife), and I love the idea of involving local artists and Tidy Towns members. It’s a nice way to build a sense of connection to the local community while learning about sustainability.
Bláthnaid
Hi Maire,
Thank you for your response to module 5.
It’s lovely to hear about all the great sustainability efforts happening in Passage West! The greenway redevelopment sounds like a brilliant project; not just for accessibility, but also for encouraging biodiversity. I really like how local creativity is being celebrated too. ‘Passage West Creates’ sounds like a special place, and it’s great to see artists using natural, local materials in their work.
You’ve mentioned some really good ways to bring all of this into the classroom. A biodiversity walk along the greenway would be a great learning experience (maybe bringing small sketch books and noting any wildlife), and I love the idea of involving local artists and Tidy Towns members. It’s a nice way to build a sense of connection to the local community while learning about sustainability.
Bláthnaid
Hi Katriona,
It’s great to see how your local area supports the environment and sustainability through everyday actions like recycling and keeping public spaces clean. Visiting parks, farms, or recycling centres is a great idea, it helps pupils see real-life examples of sustainability.
Your classroom ideas are very effective. Activities like planting flowers or sorting recycling can really help children understand how their own actions matter. It’s a great way to link the environment with what they’re learning in subjects like science.
Bláthnaid