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Hi Jessica, I enjoyed reading your post. I agree that using local examples of aquaculture makes learning much more meaningful for children. I also liked your point about adapting the activities for younger pupils through play and investigation. It’s a great way to encourage curiosity while making STEM fun and relevant.
This module helped me appreciate the important role seafood plays in a healthy, balanced diet. While I knew fish was healthy, I did not realise how rich it is in essential nutrients such as Omega-3, iron and Vitamin D. I found it especially interesting that shellfish like mussels and oysters are excellent sources of iron, while salmon provides Omega-3 and Vitamin D, supporting brain development, heart health and strong bones. The module also highlighted how seafood fits into the protein section of the Food Pyramid.
I have never been a big believer in the Food Pyramid and, if anything, this module reinforced that view. In my opinion, it places too much emphasis on carbohydrates and not enough on nutrient-dense foods such as seafood and quality protein. If it were up to me, I would turn the Food Pyramid upside down, giving seafood and protein a much more prominent place. As a primary teacher, I would use the Food Pyramid as a starting point for discussion while encouraging children to think critically about healthy eating and the nutritional value of sustainable Irish seafood
Hey, I really enjoyed reading your reflection. I agree that the course highlighted just how important aquaculture is for many coastal communities, not only for providing food but also for supporting local employment. I also liked your point about helping children make connections between the sea, seafood and the people whose livelihoods depend on it. I think using maps and photographs is a great way to introduce the topic, especially as it makes the learning more relevant and engaging. It’s definitely made me look at Ireland’s coastline in a different way too.
This module really deepened my appreciation of Ireland’s coastline and why aquaculture farms are mainly located along the western seaboard. I have always loved the sea, so learning how sheltered bays, inlets and fjords provide ideal conditions for salmon, oysters and mussels was fascinating. Ireland’s mild, temperate climate and clean, nutrient-rich waters make these areas especially suitable. I also found it interesting that many western coastal regions are less suited to traditional agriculture, making aquaculture an important source of employment and local prosperity. It supports families, local businesses and communities while producing high-quality seafood. As a primary teacher, I can see great opportunities to use maps, local examples and coastal investigations to help pupils understand how geography shapes people’s lives. This module reminded me that the sea is not only beautiful but also essential to Ireland’s culture, economy and future. It has inspired me to share that enthusiasm with my class every day.
I really enjoyed reading your post. I think using local examples from Kerry is a great way to make the learning more meaningful for the children. It’s much easier for pupils to engage with a topic when they can relate it to places they know and have visited with their families. I also liked your point about not using the term “Social Licence” with infant classes. Teaching the ideas through fairness, sharing, caring for the environment and listening to others is much more age appropriate. It’s a lovely way to introduce those concepts without making them too complicated. I might even <strong data-start=”589″ data-end=”598″>steal some of your ideas for my own classroom, especially the collaborative activities. I think the children would really enjoy them and they’d spark some great disscussion.
I found this module very interesting and can see plenty of opportunities to use the ARC resources in the primary classroom. As teachers, we are always looking for engaging, hands-on learning experiences, and these resources would fit well into SESE, SPHE and even oral language activities. I think pupils would really enjoy learning through such an interactive approach rather than from a textbook alone.
i think the idea of Social License interesting, as it shows pupils that communities, businesses and the environment all need to work together. It encourages children to think critically, listen to different opinions and understand that there is often more than one perspective.
Living in Ireland, we are very fortunate to have such a beautiful coastline, and I think it is important that children develop an appreciation of the sea and the role it plays in our lives, our environment and local communities. Overall, I feel these resources will help develop curiosity, environmental awareness and a greater understanding of Ireland’s aquaculture industry.