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Hi Niamh
Yes we too have inputted solar panels in our school. It is very worthwhile and good for the students to see. In the corridor there is a screen to show the workings of the solar panels and usage.
There are many initiatives which help with sustainability through out each area of Ireland. The children I feel are well equipped with knowledge to discuss sustainability but we need to keep reiterating the importance and lead by example. In my school, we make a conscious effort to reduce and reuse where possible. The Student Council took on an initiative with Nature Heroes. It focussed on biodiversity and environmental education. The student council informed all classes of this initiative and the work towards achieving it. I know from class discussions that each child engages with the bottle return scheme which is great for any individual as it shows responsibility.
My school is located beside a river which is checked and maintained. We had a talker in recently who explained how we can protect or waterways and the animals within.
It is important to keep children involved in sustainability and explore this word and its meaning, where do we see it?? What is happening in different areas and why? Exploration of the future generations being able to use resources, discussions on the three pillars of sustainability- environmental, social and economic. This would be a great opportunity to perhaps delve into the past and see what has happened. Dodo bird now in extinction. Extinction of animals is due to fishing, global warming, hunting and forestry. Investigate what the Industrial Revolution was in the 1800’s and the effects of that. There are many teaching points around sustainability which link across curricular areas. One thing that stood out for me while going through Module 5 was looking at the Red List of Threatened Species and allowing children to make predictions. This can be drawn back to locally by discussing the red squirrel, European Eel and Atlantic Puffin. Furthermore, investigating aquaculture and its sustainable benefits. Describing how oysters and mussels are filter feeders where an oyster filters 225 litres of water a day- that would catch any child’s attention… . Furthermore, looking at food labels for Origin Green programme.
Finally, sustainability is present and will be part of thx future. Children should be exposed to all information regarding sustainability and given opportunities to partake in initiatives promoting sustainability.Hi Rebecca,
I agree it’s important for us a teachers that we are very familiar with the nutritional benefits of food and in particular fish if we are to support students in their own learning. One feels more confident in their delivery the more information one has.
It is very important to have an understanding of the nutritional value and the important role fish can have on overall health. Before informing students it is important that we have the knowledge of the value of healthy eating with a focus on the benefits of fish. Being part of aquaculture lessons, it can be another avenue to explore. Starting with the food pyramid which we all focus on in each class, and examining the benefits of fish. I think it is good to start with discussing children’s own habits- which food they enjoy? Do they eat fish? Then move to the nutritional bake and benefits. The more knowledge one has the more familiar they become with something. This can be applied to consuming more fish. Using PowerPoints, discussions, videos – the health benefits can be taught in each class level.
I think having 5th/6th class students doing talks through the school- on the food pyramid, does wonders for peer learning and collaborative approaches. I liked the idea of examining food labels and awards being on packages. This is a life skill for each student to learn about the nutritional value of foods that they are consuming. It will help to highlight the protein, omega 3, fatty acids and vitamin D in fish.
Furthermore, students need to explore the many different types of fish out there. Using the lessons on the Arc to help with this. Many areas of the curriculum are linked which is great for learning.I agree there is great linkage and integration between aquaculture and STEM education. The ARC lessons support this linkage and integration can happen in many subjects. The lessons are interesting and engaging. Furthermore they enhance cross curricular integration in an accessible way.
Learning about aquaculture has shown me the potential to enhance STEM education in the classroom. In many ways it can align with STEM Education Policy Statement. Many subject area can be linked from science geography Sphe maths computers.
Learning about aquaculture and the links that can be made with other subjects shows the potential for learning and in particular inquiry based learning in the classroom.
Applying the 6 step process of the School Self Evaluation plan would highlight areas of focus, along with having supporting evidence for a new plan and how this can be implemented across the school. The importance for evaluation and its process would have to be outlined.
I think using the SSE process would involve the whole school community. It would awaken the topic of aquaculture, which I’m sure like me, would have been overlooked in the classroom. Using the ARC lessons, focus on videos, lifecycles, best locations fir aquaculture, class discussions, harvesting, site visits, online material, guest speakers would awaken the learning potential learning that surrounds aquaculture .
I feel that it should be a school wide approach as the opportunities for new learning is vast. STEM learning experiences can be supported by igniting curiosity, problem solving, deepen understanding by questioning and exploring, creating s as bf designing within the classroom.That’s a good point- these areas need to be continuously promoted and highlighted in media outlets/ TV programmes. Such a valuable resources it is.
Aquaculture is predominately located on the west coast of Ireland along the wild Atlantic way making them ideally located and connected. In recent years the Wild Atlantic Way has become well known, at National and international levels. This makes aquaculture more successful for the future viability. Also from the previous module, BIM had an initiative highlighting aquaculture along the west coast- Taste the Atlantic- a seafood journey. This will help the industry to thrive. The climate is also ideal as it is temperate and the influence of the Gulf Stream makes it ideal conditions for aquaculture. The west coast of Ireland is dominated by mountains which is unsuitable for agriculture. Therefore, local people have aquaculture to help with income and a way of living.
Having a thriving aquaculture has many benefits. It help with the retention of people and relocation. If there is employment opportunities, locals are more than likely to stay. Generations are willing to stay in the industry. Locally,the maintenance of communities, harbours, piers, roads are all connected with a thriving aquaculture industry. There is money invested in the area and other industries are likely to set in the areas also. With the Wild Atlantic Way- tourism would play an important role. When an area is busy – local community spirits are high and more value is placed on an area to keep it growing.Along the west coast, the landscape is ideal as it has harbours, inlets and shorelines. Salmon farms along the coast are ideally located as they have protection from island with deep waters, shelter from storms& strong currents. Furthermore, accessibility through land and water. Aquaculture is a valuable industry for the west of Ireland which needs to be highlighted and promoted.Yes I think the same- aquaculture is a topic that one might look at if connected to Geography or the food pyramid. The children would find it very interesting to learn about fish farming and the many fascinating facts about it.
From viewing the slides/videos on the ARC project and the amount of schools which it has reached – I thought that this is a fantastic initiative and project for any school to be involved with. It looked very impressive and straight away any child (&teacher) are immediately engaged. The set up of the unit with being detached was very impressive. It offers a completely high tech alternative to the classroom which looks great. Not only do they offer the high tech side- but I also saw that oysters farmers attended which brings it back to the main focus and the raw material.
Aquaculture is a new term which I think needs to be brought into classrooms. We are an island and often forget that we are surrounded by water. I tend to focus on agriculture rather than Aquaculture. It would be a new and fresh approach for the students. From the videos, salmon, mussel and oyster farming, there was a lot of information and interesting facts. The scenic beauty added to the videos. It can be easily linked with the curriculum. What struck me also was the amount of new vocabulary that the children would be exposed to and acronyms – BIM, ARC.
Looking at the website- the videos on aquaculture, sustainability were very clear and child friendly. The quizzes at the end of each of the four videos are very good.
The initiative that stood out for me was “Taste the Atlantic- a seafood journey”.
The map looked very impressive and clearly marked on how to learn about aquaculture and where to taste seafood. This should be encouraged on the classroom as I feel many children do not eat fish or fish products.From viewing the slides/videos on the ARC project and the amount of schools which it has reached – I thought that this is a fantastic initiative and project for any school to be involved with. It looked very impressive and straight away any child (&teacher) are immediately engaged. The set up of the unit with being detached was very impressive. It offers a completely high tech alternative to the classroom which looks great. Not only do they offer the high tech side- but I also saw that oysters farmers attended which brings it back to the main focus and the raw material.
Aquaculture is a new term which I think needs to be brought into classrooms. We are an island and often forget that we are surrounded by water. I tend to focus on agriculture rather than Aquaculture. It would be a new and fresh approach for the students. From the videos, salmon, mussel and oyster farming, there was a lot of information and interesting facts. The scenic beauty added to the videos. It can be easily linked with the curriculum. What struck me also was the amount of new vocabulary that the children would be exposed to and acronyms – BIM, ARC.
From viewing the website- the videos on aquaculture, sustainability were very clear and child friendly. The quizzes at the end of each of the four videos are very good.
The initiative that stood out for me was “Taste the Atlantic- a seafood journey”.
The map looked very impressive and clearly marked on how to learn about aquaculture and where to taste seafood. This should be encouraged on the classroom as I feel many children do not eat fish or fish products.