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The ARC online lessons are a brilliant way to bring real-world STEM into the classroom. The activities are hands-on, cross-curricular, and make topics like sustainability, marine science, and the Irish seafood industry meaningful for students. I really like how the lessons connect STEM to everyday life and Irish communities, especially the “Aquaculture in our Community” and “Careers in the Marine Sector” sections.
Using these resources aligns really well with the STEM Education Policy Statement, especially the focus on creative problem-solving, inquiry-based learning, and connecting STEM to the environment. From an SSE perspective, these lessons could support a whole-school focus on science or STEM. For example, a school might gather evidence on how students use STEM skills in real-life contexts, then implement a plan to increase opportunities like this across classes.
It would also be great to use ARC resources to help set up a school-wide marine project or even work toward a Blue Schools Award.
Great points, Katie. You explained the wider impact on local jobs and businesses really clearly. I also liked how you highlighted sustainability and the long-term benefits for coastal communities. Well said.
Aquaculture in Ireland mostly happens along the west coast, in places like bays, inlets, and fjords where the water is deep and sheltered. The climate there is mild and the sea conditions are just right for farming things like salmon, mussels, and oysters. It’s really about working with nature – using the land and sea in a way that suits them.
What stood out to me is how important these farms are to small coastal communities. In areas where farming the land isn’t really an option, aquaculture creates jobs and supports local families. It’s not just the farming jobs either – there’s work in transport, seafood processing, even tourism.
It also connects well to what we teach in class – geography, climate, science, and how people interact with the environment. I think it’s a great way to show students how where you live can shape what kind of work and life is possible.
You made some really good points about how aquaculture connects with subjects like science, geography, and English. Bringing in careers in marine biology and environmental science adds another layer. I also thought your point about its value for schools that are not near the coast was really important.
Learning about aquaculture and social license really made me think about how these topics could work well in the classroom. Aquaculture is something many children know little about, even though we live on an island and seafood is a big part of life in Ireland. The idea of farming fish, mussels, and oysters in the sea is new and interesting for many students. It links well with science, geography, and SPHE, and there are great hands-on tools like the Aquaculture Remote Classroom (ARC) to bring it to life.
Talking about social license is also really important. It helps children think about how communities can support or challenge what businesses do, and why it’s important to protect the environment. Students can learn to see both sides of an issue and become more aware of the world around them. Overall, this topic is a great way to spark curiosity and deeper thinking in class.
