Explorers CPD Teachers Training
The Explorers Education Programme offers a series of face-to-face and online teachers training courses bringing the seashore and ocean themes to the classroom.
The 2024 CPD TEACHERS TRAINING COURSES have been approved for EPV certification by the Department of Education & Skills and are available to book at the following education centres.
1-5th JULY: FACE TO FACE COURSES
1. SDGs and a HEALTHY OCEAN: MARINE LIFE, PLASTIC POLLUTION, & CLIMATE CHANGE
| Education Centre/Link to Book this Course | Venue | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Galway Education Centre: SDG & Healthy Ocean CPD Course | Class Venue: Scoil Einde, Salthill, Galway Beach: Grattan Beach |
€50 |
2. EXPLORING THE SEASHORE USING CREATIVE CROSS CURRICULAR LEARNING AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT X 4 COURSES
| Education Centre/Link to Book this Course | Venue | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Galway Education Centre: Exploring the Seashore CPD Course | Class venue: Marine Institute, Rinville, Oranmore Beach: Flaggyshore & Rinville Beach |
€50 |
| Tralee Education Centre: Exploring the Seashore CPD Course | Class venue: Tech Amergin, Waterville Beach: Waterville & Inny Beach |
€50 |
| Waterford Education Centre: Exploring the Seashore CPD Course | Class venue: Holy Cross School, Tramore Beach: Tramore & Annestown Beach |
€50 |
| West Cork Education Centre: Exploring the Seashore CPD Course | Class venue: Scoil na mBuachailli, Clonakilty Beach: Red Strand, Ganniv Beg, Cork |
€50 |
1st JULY - 16TH AUGUST: ONLINE COURSE
3. EXPLORE THE SEASHORE-CREATIVE CURRICULAR LEARNING & SKILLS DEVELOPMENT ONLINE COURSE
| Education Centre/Link to Book this Course | Venue | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Mayo Education Centre: Exploring the Seashore CDP e-learning Course | Online | Early Bird booking up to 30th June: €59 Regular booking thereafter: €69 |
FURTHER INFORMATION
SDGs and a HEALTHY OCEAN: MARINE LIFE, PLASTIC POLLUTION, & CLIMATE CHANGE (Galway only)
Get ready to dive into an exciting journey of discovery and learn how you can help your class preserve our planet and its precious ocean resources. "Explorers SDGs and a Healthy Ocean" is a new course packed with innovative ideas and activities for teachers to use in the classroom and encourage their students to become 'healthy ocean' ambassadors.
The course demonstrates how teachers can integrate marine themes across the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 12, 13 & 14 by highlighting stories of the world's most fascinating marine creatures. The Explorers team will present the adventures and stories of humpback whales, polar bears, penguins, and sea turtles (to name a few) to highlight world challenges such as climate change, the decline of marine biodiversity, and plastic and pollution in the ocean. The team will also take teachers on a 'journey around the world' to explore some of the solutions that superheroes including children, scientists, and even famous actors, have carried out.
The Explorers team will share their blue STEM activities, arts and crafts, and well-being exercises with teachers to help their students understand the world's unique challenges. These fun activities, such as making tote bags from recycled t-shirts, creating bowls from fishing nets, and designing natural tidal barriers, will help teach kids empathy and compassion for the ocean and each other. The team will also guide teachers in planning simple steps to encourage children to take action, creating positive changes in the classroom and local community.
Lunch will be provided daily.
*TO MAKE YOUR BOOKING SEE THE EDUCATION SUPPORT CENTRES LISTED ABOVE UNDER PART 1.
EXPLORING THE SEASHORE USING CREATIVE CROSS CURRICULAR LEARNING AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT (Galway, Kerry, West Cork, Waterford)
The "Exploring the Seashore" training course is very popular among teachers. It's a fun and exciting opportunity to discover the seashore in new ways. During the course, teachers spend up to three days on the shore, exploring and learning about living things and marine biodiversity. They also gain an understanding of energy and forces through the action of tides, and focus on environmental awareness and care of the ocean.
In class, teachers will develop their key competencies and skills that support the new Curriculum Framework (2023) by taking part in lots of fun interactive STEM and creative activities from designing flood defences, creating rock art, playing team games, writing stories to performing fun facts about the shore. There will also be an opportunity to work in teams to examine techniques for exploring and learning more about climate change, marine litter, biodiversity loss, conservation and empathy for the natural world using the UN sustainable Development Goals.
Teachers need suitable clothing and footwear for seashore fieldwork on local shores. They should bring wellies/hiking boots, a raincoat, sun screen, and a sun hat. It is recommended that footwear is rinsed in fresh water after beach activities.
Lunch will be provided daily.
*TO MAKE YOUR BOOKING SEE THE EDUCATION SUPPORT CENTRES LISTED ABOVE UNDER PART 2.
EXPLORERS ONLINE COURSE: EXPLORE THE SEASHORE-CREATIVE CURRICULAR LEARNING & SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
The Explore the Seashore online course stands out for its unique approach, offering teachers the opportunity to engage in a variety of fun activities that can be carried out at home. These activities, which include arts and crafts, recycling, and writing, are designed to make learning about marine content through science, maths, English, geography, and the arts a truly enjoyable experience.
The Explore the Seashore online course is not just about theory. It's a dynamic learning experience that encourages collaboration and active participation. With online forums to explore topics with other teachers and hands-on assignments that require pencils and paper, this course is designed to keep you engaged and learning. Based on five online modules, teachers can work on the course independently, completing assignments and tasks over several weeks.
Feedback from last year's course described it as the most enjoyable online course the participant had ever done. "The textual content was interesting, but what brought it to life were the videos of the tutor's presentations, which were exceptional and done with great personality and warmth. The assignments were also a welcome break from the usual dreary regurgitation of course content, and I enjoyed the interactive ones that demanded I engage through art, poetry, etc.
Teachers can evaluate and reflect on their learning through online surveys and quizzes and request a small pack of Explorers resources at the end of the course to bring back to their classroom.
*TO MAKE YOUR BOOKING SEE THE EDUCATION SUPPORT CENTRES LISTED ABOVE UNDER PART 3.
