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Write a reflective piece on how sustainability is practiced in your local area and how you would engage your pupils to explore this further. Post your reflective piece (150 words min) to this forum as a Reply to this post.
Sustainability is such an important aspect of all of our lives. It is imperative that we teach about sustainability and the sustainable development goals. It is important to spark an interest for children in sustainability by creating a local awareness and by engaging pupils in hands-on projects. We’ll start with learning about sustainability and allowing children opportunities to research about sustainability in our local area. Exploring local green spaces, like the community garden, will connect them with the benefits of local food production. We’ll research and present on sustainable practices in our community, culminating in a school-wide sustainability fair to showcase their learning and inspire others. There are many aspects of sustainability in our locality as there are local community gardens. We can learn from these practices and use them to help develop our own school garden even further. This approach combines practical experience with classroom learning will hopefully foster a deeper understanding of sustainability and of food production in our local area.
A cooking demonstration is a wonderful idea. We previously had a local fish monger come to teh school and do a cooking demo by the end of it all the children wanted to eat the prawn cocktail dish they created. It was wonderful to see.
Write a reflective piece on the Nutrition of Seafood and how this knowledge can be applied in the classroom. Post your reflective piece (150 words min) to this forum as a Reply to this post.
Seafood is an important part of our diet. The food pyramid is an important aspect of a child’s learning and that seafood falls into the protein layer of the pyramid. Oily fish such as salmon is a great source of Vitamin D which is essential to absorbing calcium. We should have 2 servings of protein a day. Protein helps our muscles and allows them to repair, it also benefits our hair, skin and nails and to regulate our hormones. Fish and shellfish is an excellent source of protein. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. We need to obtain some of these only through food we eat such as seafood. Fish oils – omega 3 play an important role in brain development, heart health and vision development. There are a wide range of vitamins and minerals contained within seafood. Shellfish contain high iron levels. Teaching children about the wide range of nutrition available in Seafood not only expands their knowledge but also helps them to live a healthier life.
I completely agree about the multidisiplenary approach from ARC. It is such a wonderful resource for schools to be able to avail of. I also love the aspect of the Salmon of Knowledge hook. It is such a wonderful story and links in perfectly with the ARC.
Using the online lessons and resources developed for the ARC at The ARC – Online Lessons & Resources, reflect on how you could apply the concepts and skills covered to your own teaching practices, in alignment with the STEM Education Policy Statement and how STEM education can be addressed as part of the SSE process on a school-wide basis. Post your reflective piece (150 words min) to this forum as a Reply to this post.
These lessons for ARC are a wonderful way to allow the children to have a greater knowledge of aquaculture and its benefits to local communities and the Irish economy, As aquaculture links into so many aspects of stem such as Mathematics (economy) and Science & Geography (coastal features, climate, tides etc.) In terms of the STEM Education Policy these lessons link in perfectly with Pillar 1: Nurture learner engagement and participation – Increased partnerships between schools, business and industry, public sector bodies, research organisations, further and higher-level institutions, and the wider STEM community. The ARC brings together schools, the fisheries, BIM and a range of other sectors to engage the children in a more hands on learning experience. STEM can be valuable part of the SSE process and it weaves in and out of so many different aspects of school life. Our current focus is integrating technology in the classroom. Having a visit from the ARC would perfectly fit in with our SSE plan as it is just a technological wonder in a pop up classroom. I could really see the children engaging with all aspects taught through the ARC.
I love the way you mentioned about pride. This is so true that so many families involved in aquaculture are generational and have such pride in the work they do and the incredible fod they produce.
Write a reflective piece on the location of aquaculture farms in Ireland and how they can contribute socio-economically to coastal communities and post your reflective piece (150 words min) to this forum as a Reply to this post.
There are many aquaculture farms located throughout Ireland due to our temperate oceanic climate. The gulf stream helps to regulate our water temperatures and prevents extreme lows which allows for the development of aquaculture. As the west coast is not particularly suited to agriculture this has allowed for aquaculture to flourish. The west coast also has a rugged coastline with lots of headlands, bays and inlets. This creates a sheltered environment for sealife to grow. This has given the people of the west coast a range of employment opportunities such as directly with aquaculture i.e. fisheries and indirectly such as restaurants, tourism etc. There has been much development in the tourism sector in the west of Ireland with direct links to aquaculture. Such as the Burren Smokehouse Experience. The Burren Smokehouse Experience is a wonderful example of how aquaculture can grow and develop. There are other points of coastal features which lend itself to aquaculture such as Dublin Bay creating a sheltered environment and Dublin Bay prawns.
I completely agree the use of a range of stimuli is invaluable for children and really helps them to retain what they are learning.
Reflect on the potential classroom use of these tools and how learning about Aquaculture and Social License can impact your school students. Post your reflective piece (150 words min) to this forum as a Reply to this post.
In September I will be teaching 5th class for the first time. As our school is located in a seaside town and was originally located right on the sea shore we have strong links to the sea. 5th class is our school has previously engaged with the Sea Shore Explorers programme which has many hands on lessons and beach walk also. I think by adding an Aquaculture element to my classes learning this year it will help to expand their learning opportunities further. When the children look out to see it is so important for them to know what aquaculture is being done under the surface and in their locality. In terms of the social license, it is important for children to know what the government deems important and through BIM and grant funding the government are showing that aquaculture is an important aspect of Irish society. The children in my school have such an interest in the sea and it is so important as a teacher to capitalise on this and increase their learning opportunities further.