Explorers Education Programme has a "Big Day Out" in Dublin

Members of the ‘Explorers” primary school marine education programme – a partnership between the Marine Institute, Galway Atlantaquaria and the Forfas ‘Discover Primary Science’ Programme, along with schools and education centres in Galway, Clare and Mayo -  came to Dublin yesterday (March 14th) to take part in the “Big Day Out” event in Merrion Square hosted by Forfas.

(picture: Kevin O'Hara of Galway Atlantaquaria talks about dogfish)

Setting up their ‘Nobby Boat’ seawater tank and their “Indoor Seashore” cartoon display stand in the “Science Tent” along with displays by Discover Primary Science, STEPS to Engineering, Dublin Zoo and Sustainable Energy Ireland, the Explorers were soon introducing spider crabs, dogfish and sea anemones to a host of interested visitors, creating whirlpools in soft-drink bottles and generally spreading the message of marine conservation and education.

(picture: Colette Lavin of Galway Atlantaquaria whirls up a storm)

"It was a terrific day," said Colette Lavin of Galway Atlantaquaria. "There was great enthusiasm from everyone who visited our stand and it was great to see so many potential Marine Scientists.  It was also a great opportunity to promote the Explorers Programme outside the Galway region."

(picture: John Joyce of the Marine Institute tells some fishy stories)

An estimated 9,000 visitors passed through the tent yesterday and around 1,000 people attended the “Sustainability” stage shows by Sue McGrath held in the tent next door. 

All in all a great day out for exhibitors and visitors alike.

Full details of the Explorers programme are available on www.explorers.ie