Two Galway primary schools have been chosen to take part in a new national competition on improving awareness of the health of our oceans.
Scoil Iosaif Naofa, Oranmore and Scoil Sailearna, Inverin are among over 20 schools chosen to take part in the Explorers Healthy Oceans project this year.
Schools from 14 coastal counties were chosen to be in with a chance of winning the Marine Institute’s Explorers Ocean Champion Award for primary schools.
This Award is part of the Explorers School Project, which provides teachers and children with the tools necessary to develop a project within their school and community.
In the Healthy Oceans project, the schools will work on a project that aims to improve awareness and engagement with the health of our oceans, both in their schools and in the wider community.
“We were delighted with the number of schools in Galway who applied to be part of this year’s project and look forward to working with the chosen schools on how to take action to improve ocean health,” said Dr. Noirin Burke of the Explorers Education Programme.
“The schools shortlisted in Galway have taken part in the Explorers programme for several years and it is fantastic to be able to work with them incorporating a whole school approach to this new Explorers module.”
Jessica Lillis, from Scoil Iosaif Naofa, said that they are delighted to take part in this project, as the schools has been developing a “culture of awareness around biodiversity” and protecting the ocean.
“We are working on developing an inclusive, experience-based learning to help the children connect with the Ocean and become advocates in protecting our ocean.”
“As David Attenborough said: ‘No one will protect what they don’t care about; and no one will care about what they have never experienced’.”
This is the first year of the Ocean Champions Awards, and submissions will be judged by a team of marine and education experts.
Winners will be announced around World Ocean Day on June 8 this summer.
