Explorers in the West kick off with Maths week

Children from St Nicholas Parochial School, Galway celebrating launch of maths week on Grattan Beach Galway as part of the Explorers Education Programme. Photo Andrew Downes Photography

The Explorers Education Programme kicks off with maths week, now reaching over one hundred primary schools in the west of Ireland.

With a new module–based approach, more schools in Galway, Mayo, Clare and Sligo are now participating in the programme.  “Receiving applications from teachers this year was very exciting, as they all showed great enthusiasm of how they wanted to provide their students with the opportunity to learn about our oceans,” said Dr Noirin Burke, Explorers Education Officer.

The programme this year involves maths, science and engineering workshops held at Galway Atlantaquaria and education centres, tanks provided with native seashore species in schools, as well as classes completing marine based projects or visiting the local seashore.

Galway Atlantaquaria and the Marine Institute have also been working with a selection of teachers funded through SFI Discover on developing a range of new lesson plans introducing primary school students to the marine.  These will cover a range of subjects including maths, science, english, arts and PE.  They will be available on www.explorers.ie in November.