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Good point about the Galway Oyster Festival such a draw for tourism in the area, a festival that boosts the economy by attracting thousands of visitors, increasing business for hotels, restaurants and shops.
Barbra,
Having access to the green way and being involved in a biodiversity trail sounds like rich a rich, hands on learning opportunity for students. I especially live that the children were involved in designing the art work . It not only fosters creativity but gives them a real sense of pride and ownership. It’s a wonderful opportunity for them to bring their families along to see what they’ve created and share in promoting biodiversity together. It makes learning visible and extends beyond the classroom into the community.
In my local area sustainability is promoted through our tidy towns, we also have a county council clean up in April where bags, hig vis and litter pickers are provided to our school community. We could look at the areas children live in and try and include parents and the wider community by assigning areas to families to help clean up. Clearly labelled recycling bins ,teaching and informing the children about the various bins, waste, recycling, compost bin. Involving the children by having classroom monitors to monitor the bin, run a recycling challenge e.g. paper saving week. Creating recycling displays to remind and inform children. To further include families we could a uniform reuse event to promote a second hand uniform swap shop.
We could also focus on energy saving, switch off lights when leaving classrooms , appointing ‘energy monitors’ to check lights and devices are off including interactive whiteboards. Keeping doors and windows closed. Encouraging children to turn off taps, collecting rainwater for the school garden. Encouraging children to reuse scrap paper. We could hold an ‘Energy Free’ day.
Supporting bio-diversity by planting trees, starting a wildflower garden, intsalling bird feeders and getting children involved in all aspects.
Within our school community we could towards a Green Flag achieving our Global citizenship in Energy, there is also a Litter and Waste and a Marine Environment and Citizenship Flag to work towards. We
I agree with Catriona, in regard to the food labels and the importance of children being able to read labels on food. Learning to interpret labels fosters lifelong habits to support overall wellbeing, reduces the risk of diet related illness and encourages independence in food choices. This is knowledge that may also be passed on at home and have an impact there too.
There are many ways in which this moduele has given me valuable knowledge that can be applied to my teaching and used to inform and inspire children in my classroom. I can tie the knowledge gained into several curriculum areas
Science
- Healthy eating and food groups
- Lifecycle of marine animals where seafood comes from and sustainability.
Geography
- Where seafood comes from both locally and globally
SPHE
- Promoting healthy eating habits
- The food pyramid and where seafood is in the pyramid
- Understanding the benefits of nutrients like omega 3
- Vitamin D deficiency is a widespread issue in Ireland, as we get less sunshine exposure. Seafood is an excellent source of Vitamin D.
Encouraging children to ask questions about food origins so they can make more informed choices. Recognising the labels and symbols on our seafood packaging means. I did a unit this year using the Instagrammer Sophie Morris and her video as part of a multimedia lesson where we analysed packaging and advertising. The children loved this.
Food and shopping are and will be part of their life with regard specifically to seafood we and we want them to be informed, independent and conscious consumers, that make healthy choices as adults.
Mark, the point you made regarding creating opportunities for students to explore real-world problems and you mentioned a local study this made me think. In my school we do a nature trip each September, I live and teach in a rural coastal area but the trips we have planned have been mainly trips to mountainous terrain or areas of local historical interest. This September we could do a trip to a coastal area and this would mean when we cover aquaculture it would be more meaningful to the children.
The online resources and lessons provide a key wealth of engaging STEM activities.
One of the strengths of STEM is its integrated nature, and I really appreciated how the ARC lessons embraced the multidisciplinary approach. For example they included an element of history through the story of The Salmon of Knowledge, which I found to be an excellent hook for starting a lesson. I brainstormed how I could use this within my class as a hook and how I would use STEM activities based off it.
Science
- Pupils could sequence the lifecycle of a salmon.
- Since salmon live in both saltwater and freshwater we could carry out a saltwater density experiment and compare the two types of water.
Engineering
- Children could design and build a model fish trap
- Children could carry out a filtration experiment using plastic bottles, coffe filters, sand and gravel and cotton balls.
Technology
- Pupils could do a digital retelling using ppt, or the Book Creator app
Maths
- Explore concepts of probability and chance by analysing the likelihood of catching the Salmon of Knowledge.
We can easily link this with SPHE and the benefits of eating fish which was also a video on the online ARC resources. The Green-Schools program aligns with several of the UN Sustainable Development Goals particularly those related to environmental sustainability and education. As a school that participates in the green school program we could highlight aquaculture.
From an SSE perspective if the focus was to enhance STEM teaching and leaning through cross curricular integration my above lesson ideas shows how easily it can be done. It shows how easily a unit on aquaculture could be a theme.
When we think of Ireland’s coastline, we may picture dramatic cliffs, waves and beaches but tucked in along our coast is something less romantic but just as important- aquaculture.
What I find particularity encouraging is the economic role aquaculture plays in supporting local communities. Aquaculture offers a modern twist on coastal living. It creates jobs not just at sea, but onshore too- There is direct and indirect employment as a result.
- Farm workers- to mange nets, feeding systems, day to day operations
- Marine biologists and environmental scientists
- processing plant workers-cleaning, processing, packaging
- logistics and transport- drivers and coordinators to move produce
- Sales and marketing-promoting seafood locally and internationally
- Maintenance -repair nets/cages
As someone mentioned previously proving diverse employment for skilled and unskilled workforce. The impact of this to a local community is increased local spending as workers may spend their wages locally, supporting local shops and businesses. Aquaculture provides a stable and long term source of income, this may enable families to live in or relocate to more coastal areas. It could boost schools enrollments and help a community to thrive.
Mark I agree so much with your point about how important the video about nutrition is and how we need to highlight this to children.It can help children make informed food choices that support their growth, health and lifelong habits. By understanding this at a young age, children are more likely to appreciate fish as part of a balanced diet and be open to trying it. With hot school lunches being provided now all children and fish being an option they may be more inclined to try some seafood. By teaching children about the nutritional benefits of seafood it empowers children to take an active role in their own health and maybe encourage conversations at home.
Living and working in coastal county myself I found myself feeling increasing guilty as I engaged with this module, that I haven’t given enough time and focus to what is on our doorstep. Feel quite envious of the 150 schools that have has the opportunity to engage with ARC, it’s almost submarine like structure and use of technology, STEM activities and multimedia approach and encouraging children to make links with how aquaculture can support other activities, businesses and jobs in the community and the importance of seafood in fulfilling a balanced diet.
The Young Chef Ambassador Programme, I felt was aimed more at older students , but could spark interest in cooking, food systems and future careers.
The tools support cross-curricular learning linking Science, SPHE, geography. They promote critical thinking, digital skills and active citizenship by encouraging children to consider the environmental and community impacts of aquaculture. Integrating these resources can deepen students’ understanding of marine life, food sustainability and sense of community- giving them a voice in their environment and a stronger connection to their coastal home.
It may opens children’s’ eyes to the long process it takes for us to enjoy fish. While we receive free school lunches now,in my school there is one fish choice per week and it is breaded fish, the uptake is very very poor. By using these tool it may encourage children to eat more fish also.
I would use the book The Darkest Dark by Chris Hadfield there is even a video of him reading his own book which I love
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxoG6Eug7jI
I love using Chris Hadfield’s question and answer videos on youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bCo
I used the book Aliens in Underpants save the World, here is a pic of my display this year. We used these books as inspiration to create aliens and rockets as seen in the image.
We used the book to write descriptive sentences- a colour, a size, a number, and a doing sentence about an alien.
I set up a role play area, we used Chris Hadfield videos to imagine life in space, how you brush your teeth, they loved the what food you eat in space video.
I also played this song before aistear so we could use the names of planets when we play. https://youtu.be/mQrlgH97v94
Racheal, thanks for sharing this, I could see the level of engagement for children would be high. Like how you incorporated the idea of a fair test as often this is something im guilty of not pointing out in younger classes.
I’ve added me themed corner to the thread. Children love when I set up a new role play area, adds fun, excitement and lots of playful learning can happen.
This was the themed corner I did for aistear.
I made a console using cardboard and printables from a well known teachers resource page. I using old sheep medicine canisters as jetpacks. I used a carseat for the rockets seat. To the right was the investigation station for the moon rocks, rocks or different shapes and sizes and tinfoil balls.
