Fionn Science Projects

Atlantaquaria was delighted to be involved with the Fionn Science Projects over the past four years. We were approached and asked if we could make ourselves available to schools who were participating in the project, as a source of information for their projects, but as the scheme progressed, we were more than happy to be able to offer a lot more to the schools we worked with...

“Life Cycle of the Trout” Scoil an Chlochair, Oughterard

The pupils of Scoil an Clochair made an excellent film on the Brown Trout of Lough Corrib. They looked at the life-cycle of the Brown Trout, and then used dissection techniques to examine the stomach contents of various Trout collected from different parts of the Corrib. From the contents of the stomach, and the presence or lack of of different insects such as Mayfly, they were able to determine the levels of pollution at various parts of the Corrib. Atlantaquaria’s involvement included a tour of the aquarium, to see our Brown Trout in our Weir Tank. Then one of our aquarists travelled to the school to help the pupils carry out the dissection of the Trout.

“Rays” Scoil Ide, Salthill

Scoil Ide’s class studied the life cycle of the Ray as their Fionn Project. This involved looking at every aspects of the Ray’s life, from its beginning as a baby hatchling, through to its unique body adaptations, through to its mating habits and reproduction techniques. Atlantaquaria is home to many species of Irish Ray, and so the pupils of Scoil Ide were able to spend a lot of time in the aquarium, studying and filming the Rays. One of the aquarists then visited the school to speak to the class about Rays, and brought with him several Ray artefacts including different types of Ray Eggs.

“Dug Out Canoe” Tirellan Heights N.S., Tirellan

In 2002, Atlantaquaria became home to a 5,000 year old Neolithic canoe, which had been uncovered after a storm on, on Furbo beach. This canoe affords a fascinating insight into the behaviour and life-style of people from such a long time ago. Scoil san phrionsas chose as their project to study this canoe, and its history. Not only that, they decided to make their own life-size model of the canoe! To do this, they visited Atlantaquaria, where they were able to sketch the real canoe, and take measurements of it for their own version. They made a fantastic model, which is now proudly on display at Atlantaquaria.

We have also helped several other school with their Fionn Projects over the past four years. This has mostly involved the aquarium being used as a place to study the fish, shellfish or other creature which has featured in the schools’ project. The schools we have worked with include: Letterfrack N.S. (“Our School Oyster”), Scoil Cholmcille (“Rockpool”), and St. Michaels School, Mervue (“The Eel”).

If your school is participating in any science project and would be interested in using Atlantaquaria as a resource for this, please do not hesitate to contact us.