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Exploring the online lessons and resources developed by the ARC has highlighted the many ways STEM education can be integrated into everyday classroom practice while supporting a whole-school approach to teaching and learning. I believe the lessons promote great opportunity for enquiry-based learning, problem-solving, collaboration and critical thinking, all of which are key principles of the STEM Education Policy Statement and provide excellent opportunity for cross-curricular integration.
In my own classroom, I can see many opportunities to use these resources to encourage pupils to investigate real-world problems through hands-on activities and questioning. I liked that many of the activities encourage children to ask questions, engage in critical thinking, investigate real-life issues and work together to solve problems instead of simply learning facts. There are so many opportunities for teaching this topic tying into different areas of the curriculum. Such as developing map knowledge, being able to read weather charts, developing the children’s knowledge of natural features; eg fjords, estuaries, inlets, bays, harbours and islands. Using modern technology and IT and engineering children understand the importance of drones, sonar, laboratories. Understanding their own bodies and how important healthy foods, minerals and nutrients are. Links to science, learning about life cycle of sea creatures. The opportunities are endless and so vast. I feel as an island dependent on aquaculture I think this approach would really engage primary pupils and help them develop curiosity about the world around them.Taking a different perspective, I visit Glencolumcille every year and I see the importance of aquaculture in Donegal. Like you mentioned the opportunities that arise indirectly such as transport, engineering, local businesses etc cannot be overlooked, and in many cases keep smaller rural communities going. Again, I agree with you that children should be made aware of how incredibly lucky we are to have this valuable natural resources on our doorstep that supports biodiversity and livelihoods.
As mentioned aquaculture farms requires specific areas suitable for species requirements. Living in Galway, I understand the importance of aquaculture farms for smaller, more rural communities that may lack other opportunities for employment. Galway thrives due to it’s proximity to the ocean and undoubtedly these aquaculture farms provides an abundance of employment for local people in fish farming, processing, packaging, transport, and tourism. Beneficially, Galway has a popular seafood industry which attracts huge amounts tourists who are interested in local food, scenery, culture and marine activities. As a result, small businesses, restaurants and families in these smaller coastal towns such as Clifden, Roundstone, Kinvara benefit from this and money is circulated back into the local economy. Additionally, I would like to make reference to the huge emphasis put on ‘The Wild Atlantic Way’ and how this phrase is known worldwide for it’s food, scenery, culture and uniqueness. Aquaculture farms are located along this route all along the coast and locals are proud to be able to represent their small communities and putting local foods on the map.
I agree with you that we often need to place more emphasis on the importance of aquaculture to Ireland’s economy and in a more local aspect spreading the knowledge of how the industries often keep smaller communities thriving and growing. I am in agreement that a greater appreciation of Ireland’s marine resources is important going forward. Additionally, I feel this module should be almost mandatory in schools as it opens a whole world of opportunities for future employment and career prospects.
As a teacher in County Galway, I believe these resources are extremely relevant and have great potential. It allows children to explore the connection to the sea through fishing, aquaculture, and tourism as well as opening their eyes to the Inland Fisheries; local lakes and river systems which are on our doorstep too. Again, the use of the local areas such as Killary Harbour, Galway Bay etc it gives children a link to the areas that they regularly see/visit/drive-by without understanding what the actual functions are and how important it is to protect these habitats. Learning about aquaculture and the concept of social license have a meaningful impact on students. They gain a better understanding of how food is produced, the importance of balancing environmental protection with economic development. In the classroom, these topics can be integrated into the majority of subjects in one form or another such as Stem (data collection and interpretation, experiments, testing water quality), SEE (relating to the local community, how things have changed over time, animals, nature, Wellbeing (Being a good citizen, sustainability, healthy foods, physical activity, Arts (Opportunities for project work etc. The opportunities are endless and provide for very exciting learning.