New marine content for Mayo teachers to learn about in Explorers programme
The Marine Institute’s Explorers Education Programme and Mayo Education Support Centre have included the new Learning About Tides film in the Explorers online continued professional development (CPD) teacher training course being held this summer (July 1 to August 16)).
Michael McKenzie, director of Mayo Education Support Centre, has congratulated the Explorers team for providing the new content.
He commented: “The new educational film is a great addition to the online course Exploring the Seashore Using Cross Curricular Learning and Skills. It is a very good example of how the Explorers team bring subjects to life and apply content to real world scenarios for teachers and children to use in class and on the shore.”
He contined: “The film features the Explorers team on the shore explaining how tides work and showing how the sun, moon and earth influence tidal changes throughout the lunar cycle. The team also use lots of fun stories to engage the viewer, such as how scientists from thousands of years ago theorised that tides were caused by the breath movement of sea monsters.”
This is the third year that Mayo Education Support Centre has run the Explorers online CPD course. “It is also good to see footage of the Marine Institute’s research vessel RV Celtic Explorer heading out to sea from its home port in Galway. Watching it go through the port gates with centimetres to spare each side at high tide is spectacular to watch – and highlights the importance of knowing your tides,” Mr. McKenzie said.
The course has been designed to make learning online a truly enjoyable experience where teachers can build on their skills by carrying out assignments covering arts and crafts, completing creative recycling ideas, and writing stories and poetry.
Dr. Noirin Burke, outreach manager of the Explorers Education Programme, said she is delighted to be running this course again this year with support from Mayo Education Centre.
“We have a great team who are available throughout the summer to provide support, guide online forums to explore topics with teachers and answer queries,” Dr. Burke stated. “Teachers can complete tasks from the five modules over several days or weeks at their own pace. They can also take their learning beyond the screen with hands-on assignments designed to keep exploring.”
With growing interest in the impact the ocean has on our lives and the impact we have on the ocean, the Exploring the Seashore online training course provides teachers with the perfect opportunity to kick-start their ‘blue’ journey and to become ocean ambassadors, Dr. Burke further added.
For more information and bookings about this course, see the Mayo Education Centre website. For face-to-face courses offered by the Explorers team, see the Explorers website. All Explorers teacher training courses are approved for EPV certification by the Department of Education and Skills.