[Grace Lynch]

Hi Catriona,

Thank you for your response to Module 3!

I appreciate how much thought you have put into these lesson plans. I especially like the idea of visiting a site. I think that trips outside of the classroom are not only great for the overall digestion of the material as it allows the students to see aquaculture in its natural context but also I think looking back on my own experience in school, those days out are what I remember and have stuck with me into adulthood. Associating what they have learnt with a happy memory may inspire some students to even take a career path in the marine and seafood sector.

Thanks,

Grace

[Grace Lynch]

Hi Natasha,

Thank you for your response to this module!

I like your take on a school-wide effort! It is so important to follow up on what the students learned after the visit from the ARC pod itself that I really appreciate how you have considered a way to integrate these concepts long-term.

Thanks,

Grace

[Grace Lynch]

Hi Aoife,

Thank you for your response to this module!

Taste the Atlantic is another campaign that ties tourism and seafood production together nicely. It supports smaller communities along the Atlantic coast  bringing income and opportunities to area that have smaller populations and often times would not have geographical conditions to support traditional farming which makes it all the more beneficial for the people that live there!

Thanks,

Grace

 

[Grace Lynch]

Hi Natasha,

Thank you for your response to this module!

You are correct in saying these local conditions breathe life into these rural communities. They support aquaculture where rural decline can be prevented as you have mentioned here supporting the younger members in more isolated regions by providing a wide variety of job opportunities!

It is very important for us as an island to nurture this valuable resource and make sure it is in good condition for generations to come!

Thanks,

Grace

[Grace Lynch]

Hi Brian,

Thank you for your response to this module!

I agree! Sometimes there is fear in the unknown but knowledge is power and I think that the students living in area near aquaculture sites who might not be 100% up to speed with the goings on there feel an even closer connection to their community once they leave the ARC as a young aquaculture expert 🙂

Students living far from the sea have so much to benefit from learning about the seafood and marine sector as well from nutrition, to geography and sustainability; there truly is something in it for everyone. Even as you said yourself consuming seafood is a link in and of itself and they can support this resource by practicing eco-friendly habits.

Thanks,

Grace

[Grace Lynch]

Hi Cian.

Thank you for your response to this module!

I agree that brining the concepts associated with aquaculture can raise awareness around sustainability. On a typical day on the ARC we finish with a lesson on Sustainability in the hopes that it will promote eco-friendly habits within the students that they can carry into adulthood!

Thanks,

Grace

[Grace Lynch]

Hi Aoife,

Thank you for your response to this module!

I like the idea of using debates in the classroom. It gives them an opportunity to think for themselves and take ownership of their opinion. Guest speakers have been very successful on the ARC itself and always generate great enthusiasm and excitement amongst the students, especially if it is someone from their local community as it helps to make the concepts more relevant to the student.

Thanks,

Grace

[Grace Lynch]

Hello,

Thank you for your response to this Module!

I like how you have pointed out how important it is to talk about local Irish produce. As an island it only makes sense for us to support the seafood producers on our doorstep and contribute to our local economy.

The ‘Eye Spy’ activity in the Supermarket is an easy and accessible way to make students more aware of where their food comes from. It also gives them a sense of responsibility to choose food products that are not only beneficial to them but the world around them.

Thanks,

Grace

[Grace Lynch]

Hi Lorraine,

Thank you for your response to Module 4!

Food literacy is such an underrated skill and can be taught across different subjects. For example in Mathematics it can be applied through real-life numerical questions such as the amount of protein per 100g in a salmon fillet, in Science it can be explored from a biological perspective and how different nutrients effect our bodies, even in SPHE how eating a balanced diet effects your well-being. I especially like the idea of ‘Seafood Superpowers’. Fuelling their bodies with the correct nutrients allows for them to reach their full potential and feel their best which is a superpower in and of itself 🙂

Reading food labels is an important practice that can be carried out in the day to day life of anyone not just the students! It encourages us to make healthy choices not only for ourselves but the environment around us.

Thanks,

Grace

[Grace Lynch]

Hello,

Thank you for your response to Module 2!

Using the local features of an area is key when deciding where to place the aquaculture site. Whether it be a deep water environment for the salmon or mussel farm or a sheltered intertidal zone for our oysters.

The role of aquaculture in sustaining smaller rural communities is vital. Many of these areas do not geographically support traditional farming along the West coast i.e., poor soil health, steep slopes etc. So it makes aquaculture and harvesting in the sea all that more important. The marine and seafood sector provide a variety of jobs either directly or indirectly which allows for younger people to stay in these areas, preventing rural decline.

The information is so versatile as you have mentioned here that it can be taught across multiple different subjects. This increases the overall comprehension of the concepts, as transferable problem solving skills can be applied for example map reading can tie geography and mathematics together by assessing graphs but also analysing the physical features of an area.

Thank you,

Grace

• This reply was modified 5 months, 2 weeks ago by Grace Lynch.

[Grace Lynch]

Hi Brian,

Thank you for your response to this module!

The presence of  aquaculture in Kerry is so strong! I myself worked on an oyster farm in Cromane and you can really see how the whole community gets involved as it is the means of livelihood for so many people that live here!

I love shining a light on these farmers who work so hard and take great pride in their seafood products. Festivals like Seafest in Cromane and Dingle Food festival are a great way to celebrate this tradition and part of our culture as an island.

Thanks,

Grace

[Grace Lynch]

Hi Lorraine,

Thank you for you response to this module.

Strengthening the relevance between the classroom and real world application of these concepts is what we hope to do! Even things as simple as looking at food labels and picking up litter are ways that the students can become more environmentally aware!

Learning about the delicate eco-system in the ocean and how we can nourish this valuable resource as an island, is so important for the kids of today as hopefully it will promote eco-friendly habits to be practiced by the students into adulthood.

Thanks,

Grace

 

[Grace Lynch]

Hi Erin,

Thank you for your response to this Module!

Omega 3s are particularly important for the students to be aware of as it aids brain development, allowing them to reach their full potential as adults! Designing meal plans sounds like a great idea to implement what they learn from this topic into the context of their everyday life. Simple experiments such as testing the density of water wouldn’t require a million and one materials!

Thanks,

Grace

[Grace Lynch]

Hi Sylvia,

Thank you for your response to this Module!

Appreciating local resources is a great way to link nutrition and sustainability. Environmental awareness is a tool we could all use when selecting food products as produce that is sourced locally is likely to leave less of a carbon footprint, boosts local economy, strengthens community connection and the food is less likely to require preservatives and be more nutritious as the distance from farm to table is that bit shorter and is often harvested at peak ripeness.

Thank you,

Grace

 

[Grace Lynch]

Hi Sylvia,

Thank you for your response to this Module

All of these practical actions sound like a fantastic way to introduce sustainability to the students. I love the idea of planting pollinator-friendly flowers. You could use this in the context of science and explain the pollen cycle etc.

Thanks,

Grace

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