PUPILS from 5th and 6th classes at Scoil an Linbh Íosa in Carrigans took part in a beach exploration workshop hosted by An Taisce’s Green-Schools at Rathmullan beach on Wednesday.
The group is one of 111 classes from 47 schools nationwide that recently took part in the SeaKeepers Project, and were the lucky winners of this year’s field trip to the beach.
The SeaKeepers Project is an initiative of the Green-Schools Marine Environment theme, which provides primary school teachers with resources and lesson plans to teach children about Ireland’s marine life, including the common dolphin, gannet, moon jellyfish, dogfish, sea bass, and sugar kelp.
The aim of the project is to increase young people’s knowledge of Ireland’s marine biodiversity and to foster a deeper appreciation for our coastal habitats and sea-life.
In all, 21 pupils from 5th and 6th class attended the workshop in Rathmullan which focused on exploring marine biodiversity and celebrating our oceans and coast.
The children from Scoil an Linbh Íosa taking part in the beach exploration workshop.
The students took part in a range of activities and games, including rocky seashore BioBlitz, marine mammal measurements, marine litter relay race, and a sand art competition.
Scoil an Linbh Íosa is a co-educational primary school with approximately 84 students. They have been working on the Green-Schools programme since 2003 and were recently awarded their eighth Green Flag focusing on the Global Citizenship Marine Environment theme, which is supported by the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment.
Some of the pupils getting creative for a sandcastle competition at Rathmullan beach.
As part of their work on this theme they learned about life under the water, the impacts of marine litter on ocean and coastal environments, and have a whole school clean up planned as part of their action day in June.
Green-Schools Senior Coordinator of the Global Citizenship Marine Environment theme, Dr. Chloe Devlin, welcomed the students to the seashore: “We’ve had a fantastic day at Rathmullan Beach with the students from Scoil an Linbh Íosa.
“Over the past two years, these students have been working towards their Green Flag for the Marine Environment, discovering so much about Ireland’s amazing marine life through the SeaKeepers Project.
“It’s been a joy to work with schools from all across Ireland, from inland communities to those along the coast, and to see the passion, curiosity, and knowledge these young people bring is truly inspiring.
“We hope the lessons they’ve learned through the Green-Schools programme, along with the memories made here today, will stay with them for many years to come and continue to inspire a love for our marine environment.”