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I will definitely use the lessons and resources developed for the ARC in my classroom next year. It would be beneficial to use STEM as a basis for SSE as STEM is a cross-disciplinary approach. Teachers use elements of STEM in each of the primary curriculum subjects.To complete a SSE, firstly the staff could engage in a reflective enquiry and gather evidence of work being done in STEM at that present moment in the school. Gathering information on current practice, students’ achievements and results, and student learning experiences will hopefully identify the areas that are working well as well as an area that could be improved. Improving that area will lead to changes in practices, teacher and pupil experiences, and improved learning for all the students. I would like to promote aquaculture education within my school next year as it provides great opportunities for linkage across the curriculum, not only in STEM but in History, Geography and Visual Arts. It would be great to promote STEM based jobs within the aquaculture industry. To support my teaching of this topic, I would use Lesson Three ‘Aquaculture and the Community‘ from the BIM Online Lessons & Resources.As a school it could be possible to complete classroom projects on marine species farmed in Ireland and look at the possibility of obtaining a Blue Schools Award.
I agree that aquaculture can give young people a reason to stay in their hometowns and work close to home. It does help small local businesses, like shops and restaurants, by bringing more activity and income into the area.
I believe aquaculture farms and their location in Ireland contribute hugely socio-economically to coastal communities. There are many areas of Ireland and coastal communities that are dependent on aquaculture, particularly on the west coast of Ireland and the lack of agriculture due to the mountains which dominate the landscape. Land features in these areas make aquaculture the most predominant type of farming. Aquaculture supports the coastal communities directly and indirectly. Firstly, it provides employment opportunities for citizens in areas of fishing. Atlantic salmon, pacific rock oysters and blue mussels are plentiful on the west coast of Ireland. The sector provides year-round, well-paid jobs and supports economic growth in rural, coastal and island areas. According to IFA “Irish aquaculture is worth €180m to the Irish economy, providing almost 2,000 direct jobs and contributing to 8,500 indirect jobs in the seafood sector, sustaining coastal communities.” Education courses and research projects also provide employment. Aquaculture also helps to keep waterways clean and sustainable aquaculture increases food production.
Hello Michelle.
I agree that learning about aquaculture and social issues is especially important if children live in a landlocked county. I also believe it’s important to allow our students opportunities to think critically, act responsibly, and understand real-world problems involving science and society. We need to empower them to be informed citizens.
The potential classroom use of these tools and resources is endless. It provides lots of links within the classroom particularly in the area of Social, Environmental and Scientific Education. It promotes responsible environmental practice which links well with the “environmental awareness and care” unit in Geography. The modules are also a great introduction to elements of subjects the students will be learning about in secondary school. It also promotes healthy eating through its seafood journey with Failte Ireland. This provides great links with SPHE and the Food Dudes program run by Bord Bia. The history associated with agriculture and aquaculture links very well with the strand units in History. It is brilliant to promote BIM’s Social License Projects such as the ‘Young Chef Ambassador Programme’. I think learning about Aquaculture and Social License will greatly impact our school students. I think it is very important to introduce aquaculture to young people at an early age. It would be beneficial for students to know about the great work Bord Iascaigh Mhara does.