Bring ocean into classroom with Mayo Education/Explorers course
THE Explorers Education Programme has launched a new online teaching course in collaboration with Mayo Education Centre that will enable teachers all over Ireland to learn about how to bring the ocean into the classroom.
Speaking about the launch of the course, Michael McKenzie, director of Mayo Education Centre, said: “We are delighted to work with the Explorers team this year to provide an online course for teachers as part of the summer courses approved by the Department of Education and Skills. The content the Explorers team have developed helps make the ocean as accessible as possible for teachers.”
The online course, Exploring Ireland’s Seashore through Science, Maths, Geography, English & Art, is approved for EPV (Extra Personal Vacation) certification by the Department of Education and will take approximately 20 hours to complete. The course runs from July 4 to August 19. Early bird bookings will cost €59 until June 30 and from July 1 the cost is €69.
Further details and how to book can be found at the Mayo Education Centre website.
The course aims to bring the ocean and seashore into the classroom via a range of specially recorded short videos with the Explorers team. The films and associated activities are designed to guide teachers through developing their ocean literacy, planning seashore trips, exploring marine biodiversity through the existing curriculum, as well as reflecting on human impacts on the ocean, and much more.
Patricia Orme, corporate services director, Marine Institute, congratulated the Explorers team on the launch of the course and the continued expansion of teachers training.
She said: “The provision of an online option makes learning about the ocean accessible to teachers right across Ireland. This collaboration also enables teachers to access the Explorers Programme excellent fit-for-purpose resource that can be used in the classroom as well as for outdoor education.”
Further information about the Explorers teachers training is at explorers.ie (Explorers teachers training).
The Explorers Education Programme is funded by the Marine Institute, Ireland's state agency for marine research, technology development and innovation.