XTRA-Ordinary Poems show off Marine experts at Primary School level

 The Marine Institute’s recent “Exploring the XTRA-Ordinary Writing Competition” for 5th and 6th classes received over six-hundred entries from schools in Galway, Mayo and Donegal.

The competition was designed for students to develop a greater awareness about the exploration of Ireland’s research vessel RV Celtic Explorer and demonstrate their understanding of Ireland’s marine life and ocean.

Congratulating the teachers and students for their efforts, Dr Peter Heffernan, CEO of the Marine Institute said, “The competition captured the imaginations of many students, revealing their understanding of the important influence the ocean has on our lives. Learning about our ocean at a young age fosters engagement with the sea which is a key goal of ‘Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth - An Integrated Marine Plan for Ireland’. The sense of wonder and curiosity about the sea was clear from the many wonderful entries we received and we’re looking forward to welcoming the students onboard the Celtic Explorer in Galway next week”.

Due to the exceptionally high standard of entries, twenty-one classes shortlisted have been offered the opportunity to visit the RV Celtic Explorer and Remotely Operated Vehicle Holland 1. Students will meet marine scientists from the Marine Institute that work on the vessel and get to see their day to day duties demonstrating how Ireland’s seabed territory is mapped to techniques for identifying and ageing fish.

The overall winning poems included:

First Place:

  •  “A Fish is What I’m Destined to be” by Ciara MacDonald, Scoil Mhuire Oranmore
  •  “The Celtic Explorer” by Lauren McGinely, Scoil Colmcille, Co Donegal

Second Place:

  •  “The Celtic Explorer” by Laura Quinn, Scoil Rois Taylors Hill

Third Place:

  •  “The Sea” by Francesca Woods, Scoil Ide Salthill
  •  “The Celtic Explorer” by Lasise Dunne, Scoil Rois Taylors Hill

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