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The ARC on line lesson resources would be a vital part of teaching children about the importance of Aquaculture in our communities/counties/country. Not only would they learn about the processes involved in the farming, production, sale of the produce sourced in our coastal waters but they would also gain valuable knowledge about the positive effect aquaculture has on the country as a whole, the employment and educational benefits.
Following STEM guideline and incorporating this with ARC resources children would work collaboratively examining and investigating the different types of creatures living in our coastal areas, the health benefits of seafood in part of our weekly diet, project work based on seafood- farmed, caught, transported throughout Ireland and as mentioned previously designing their own floating fish farm . There are so many wonderful cross curricular opportunities for children to further their understanding of Aquaculture.
I love the idea of designing a ‘floating fish farm’. What a great way of bring the outside world into the classroom especially for children living in non-coastal areas.
I really like your points Eileen especially ‘Junk Kouture’. This would be a great idea for a senior class to emulate. Children have such great ideas. I would love to work with them as they plan their project and source the materials required. A great hands-on activity to examine how materials can be reused and recycled to become something completely different.
There are many ways schools and local communities are becoming more sustainable. We have a policy in school whereby children are reusing plastic lunch boxes to take food and other recyclable waste home to be composted. We also have a student council who have come up with some great ideas around reusing/recycling and also saving energy and water in school. Plastic bottles/old Cds/ clothing etc. are used in Art activities. At the beginning of each year we hold a uniform swap which benefits many parents and children. We have also used a ‘Walk to school’ initiative which has worked very well and has prove an enjoyable endeavour for parents, children and teachers alike. The children learn about the importance of sustainability through action and in turn take and disperse this knowledge amongst family and friends.
There are many sustainable initiatives in my local area- sustainable transport for example- walking, cycling, taking the train for short and long distances. Farmers markets once a week in the local community, car boot sales, electric vehicle charging points, bicycle hire and park, solar panels for homes and larger commercial premises. The list goes on but we’re all going in the right direction.
There are so many health benefits to eating seafood. It is packed with nutrients, vitamins, essential amino acids and a myriad of goodness which provide the right balance for a healthy lifestyle, improves brain quality and function and should be an essential part of every day life. When educating children about the benefits of seafood, we could also look at the life cycles of salmon, mussels, crab, oysters etc. We could also examine the effect of pollution and climate change on the seafood we eat.
Maths- Graph the types of seafood we like to eat as a class/school. We could also examine the fall/rise in numbers of salmon/cod and other fish in recent years. Plot/follow the path of the salmon as they migrate from the ocean to freshwater streams to spawn
Art: under water diorama, recycle old water bottles to create sea creatures. Under water aquarium using an old green house frame.
I would also agree with the points made in this reflective piece. There are so many teaching opportunities available to educate and inform children about the food they eat especially foods that are readily available to many.
How wonderful to live and work in such an amazing environment. To have so many opportunities to develop an array of diverse teaching opportunities for your children.
It is true that we must preserve as many of our old traditions as we can. In an ever growing/ changing world, traditions have become the past- forgotten and lost which is very sad.
It is Irelands unique location on this planet that allows aqua/agriculture to continue to grow from to strength. We are extremely lucky to have such wonderful, readily available resources on our doorstep providing a rich source of land and sea produce which has become world renowned and respected. The clear fresh coastal waters and the nutrient rich soil that Ireland has to offer make it one of the finest producers and suppliers of salmon, mussels, beef, oysters etc. in the world. It is through the hard work and perseverance of those who spend their lives working the land and sea that Ireland has such high rankings on the world stage.
I think it is important to remember also the the reinvigoration of aquaculture through television programmes like ‘The Wild Atlantic Way’, ‘Nevins coastal food trails’, festivals such as the Galway, Howth and Portavogie sea food festivals have benefited those working in the sea food industry and also the towns and cities which promote the aforementioned. Aquaculture promotes and strengthens trade and provides income security and employment for those living in coastal regions.
This module was interesting and very informative. There are lots of resources and websites which can be used in a class setting to introduce children to and develop their understanding of ‘Aquaculture’. It is so important that children learn about their food and where it comes from and become responsible for what they put into their own bodies (older children). Much of today’s food can be over processed, quick and lack the important ingredients required for healthy growing body and mind. If we can introduce children to healthy naturally sourced foods from the sea and teach them the importance of land and sea food from a young age, then we foster a respect for what occurs naturally.