The Explorers Education Programme Summer Teachers Training Courses 2020

Exploring Ireland’s Seashore through Science, Maths, Geography, English and Art the Explorers Education Programme Summer Teacher Training Course 2020The Marine Institute Explorers Education programme are delighted to announce that the five-day summer webinar courses "Exploring Ireland's Seashore through Science, Maths, Geography, English and Art the Explorers Education Programme Summer Teacher Training Course 2020", approved by the Department of Education and Skills, are now open for bookings.

All webinar courses will be hosted by Blackrock Education Centre; Tralee Education Centre; Waterford Teachers Centre; and Galway Education Centre from Monday 17th – Friday 21st August.

Dr Noirin Burke, Explorers Education Programme Support Services, Galway Atlantaquaria coordinating the courses said "We are really excited to be able to bring the Explorers ever-popular summer training courses to primary school teachers all around Ireland this year online. Using ZOOM and SEASAW has provided the Explorers teams with a great opportunity to reach out to more teachers and provide them with new ways to learn how to bring the seashore into the classroom using a range of webinar tools, videos and interactive resources."

Teachers completing the summer course with an approved education centre, will earn Extra Personal Days (EPV) or 'course days'. The teachers will also receive incredible Explorers Education teacher's packs.

"Each teacher will receive a pack of the Explorers newly printed materials, including a range of marine themed posters, My Explorers Seashore Guide workbooks, Wild about Wildlife – on the seashore information and work sheets and lots for more for their classrooms. Teachers who take part in the courses will also get an opportunity to book their classes and schools on our Explorers back to school programme, which we will be launching in September," said Cushla Dromgool-Regan, Explorers Strategic Manager, The Camden Education Trust.

The Explorers team have been carrying out webinars over the last number of months engaging teachers all over Ireland about using marine themes on the primary school curriculum. Learning about what is on our doorsteps and how to bring the seashore into the classroom, is a key way to ensuring that Ireland as an island nation, is moving towards becoming ocean literate and creating ocean champions.

"The design of the webinar course has been created with the intention to provide teachers with lots of fun engaging activities throughout the day. We have created interactive breakout sessions with the Explorer outreach team members, where they will support the teachers working scientifically, learning about seashore animals and seaweeds. The teachers will also get to work with other teachers online and complete a range of practical enquiry based exercises and creative tasks using the Arts and English. The course will also be used to identify new ways that the teachers can bring the seashore into their classroom," Cushla Dromgool-Regan further said.

A selection of resources from the Explorer's website www.explorers.ie and other online video resources will be used throughout the course, highlighting how ocean literacy concepts and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 12, 13 and 14 can also be used in the classroom.

If you require further information about the courses see www.explorers.ie or contact Noirin Burke: noirin@nationalaquarium.ie or Cushla Dromgool-Regan: cushla.dromgoolregan@thecamdentrust.org

For updates follow the Explorers Education Programme Social Media pages.
EXPLORERS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ExplorersMarineEducation
EXPLORERS Twitter: https://twitter.com/explorersedu

The Explorers Education Programme is funded by the Marine Institute, Ireland's State agency for marine research and development.

ENDS

Contact:
Cushla Dromgool-Regan
Education Programme Manager & Communications Lead
(Marine Institute's Explorers Education Programme)
The Camden Education Trust
C/o Galway Education Centre
Cluain Mhuire, Wellpark, Galway
Mobile: + 353 (0) 87 9185519
Email: cushla.dromgoolregan@thecamdentrust.org
Website: www.explorers.ie
www.thecamdeneducationtrust.org
www.marine.ie