Come Explore our incredible Ocean
Join the Aquarium Team as they explore the ocean. Meet some animals that live in Irish Waters using a range of our favourite videos and activity sheets in English and As Gaeilge, plus get creative with some brilliant imaginary activies using maps and charts. Just click the images to join the fun.
Its springtime, and as we look toward to brighter days ahead we want to share with you some good news stories over the coming weeks, of people caring for the ocean, collecting ocean data and new life on the shores and in the aquarium.
Join us for the month of April, as we explore new beginnings in the aquarium, on the shore and in our canals.
WHY SHOULD WE CARE ABOUT SEAGRASS?
To be honest, the Aquarists in the Aquarium always spoke about the value of seagrass but it always seemed to fall under the radar. There are so many problems with marine litter etc. they always led the discussion on media circles.
It wasn’t until Dr. Noirin Burke, our director of education noted a seagrass post in the BIAZA educators Facebook page that reignited the development of a communication of the ‘value of seagrass'. And typically, the theory of ‘spontaneous generation’ happened, we started to notice others talking about seagrass too. So we are delighted to share our learning of seagrass and why we all should care about seagrass, download the PDF below.
It wasn’t until Dr. Noirin Burke, our director of education noted a seagrass post in the BIAZA educators Facebook page that reignited the development of a communication of the ‘value of seagrass'. And typically, the theory of ‘spontaneous generation’ happened, we started to notice others talking about seagrass too. So we are delighted to share our learning of seagrass and why we all should care about seagrass, download the PDF below.
Learn more about the wonder of seagrass and its immense value for the environment.
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Image of seagrass kindly shared by Dr Jose M. Fariñas-Franco.
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Cut out, colour your own seagrass meadow activity.
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March 4 Biodiversity
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This march we are celebrating Biodiversity. We will be sharing with you content on our new Biodiversity Page, new videos and images of our animals and links to where you can find more information on Irish Biodiversity and citizen science programmes you can get involved in. For those of you within 5km of the Aquarium, we also have a new window display celebrating biodiversity, check it out if you are passing by.
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United For Biodiversity, Seabirds colour sheets.
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Caring for Our Animals Series
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Join Padraic and Anna as the visit the animals in the aquarium, during lock down.
See how they check water quality and temperature and complete food preparation and feeding each day, while also learning about some of the incredible species that call the aquarium home. Series includes - Clever Crustaceans - Lobsters and Crabs - Ocean Love - Seahorses and Oscars - Biodiversity Zone - Fire Salamanders, Motoro Stringray and Piranha's |
ENGINEERS WEEK 2021 - Three Engineering Actions for the Ocean
For humans engaging with the marine environment , engineering plays a lot of different roles. Surviving in an aquatic environment, not suited to the human body, exploring and surveying new areas under the water, and innovating new materials and resources inspired by the ocean, plus looking to the ocean for solutions to a more sustainable future for our planet.
In the three actitivites below we would like you to think about:
1. How we are inspired by nature - Prawn Knicker
2. How we need clean water to survive and the role the ocean plays in this through the water cycle
3. How we move in, and on water in our buoyance challenge
Join Garry, Noirin and Padraic as they guide you through three Engineering Challenges.
In the three actitivites below we would like you to think about:
1. How we are inspired by nature - Prawn Knicker
2. How we need clean water to survive and the role the ocean plays in this through the water cycle
3. How we move in, and on water in our buoyance challenge
Join Garry, Noirin and Padraic as they guide you through three Engineering Challenges.
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Guide for building your own water filter.
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Love Our Ocean this February
Sensational Seahorses - Video and Worksheets for #HomeSchool
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Why we love the Aquarium |
Love Our Ocean Art |
Join some of the Aquarium Team as they tell us why they love the Ocean and Share with us some of their favourite ocean activities and facts.
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Click on the link for fun colour me in activity book for kids and kidults!!
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Check out these fun facts and description of the seahorse!
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Crazy Crustaceans
In January 2021 we celebrated Crazy Crustaceans. Crustaceans are animals with no backbone, also known as invertebrates, which have a hard exoskelton protecting part of, or all of their bodies. They include crabs, lobsters, prawns and shrimps to name a few, and there are over 40,000 species.
They have amazing adaptations to life , and live in both freshwater and the ocean. Many of them provide food for people and materials from their shells can also be used in medicine.
They have amazing adaptations to life , and live in both freshwater and the ocean. Many of them provide food for people and materials from their shells can also be used in medicine.
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Crustacean Workshop - English
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Crustacean Workshop - As Gaeilge
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Crustacean Creations
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Why not try making a crustacean creation at home. You can use blocks, clay, paper, or old fabric and materials? Check out some of the ones we made at home for inspiration, and if you want to share your creations with us you can send your images to us at anna@nationalaquarium.ie
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Or make your own crustacean video like some of the Marine Boardcasters did in 2020 from the Cruinnu na nOg Festival
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Maths Week 2020 @ Galway Atlantaquaria
Join Anna from Galway Atlantaquaria as she invesitgates Shapes on the Seashore, celebrating maths in nature. Hope you all enjoy.
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Cartography Activity
Download the resources here.
Let’s Talk About CARTography
Cartography is the study and practice of making maps. Combining science, aesthetics, and technique, cartography builds on the premise that reality can be modelled in ways that communicate spatial information effectively.
We can also use art to create some wonderful imaginary maps to encourage, expression, critical thinking, hand dexterity, mindfulness, planning and fun. #cARTography
'You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great'
Zig Ziglar so way not give it a go.
Cartography is the study and practice of making maps. Combining science, aesthetics, and technique, cartography builds on the premise that reality can be modelled in ways that communicate spatial information effectively.
We can also use art to create some wonderful imaginary maps to encourage, expression, critical thinking, hand dexterity, mindfulness, planning and fun. #cARTography
'You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great'
Zig Ziglar so way not give it a go.
STORYMAPS
Story created with assets from INFOMAR.
Did you know that you can download free maps from INFOMAR and learn about your local Bay.
It is a wonderful resource where you can create a story based on your local area.
Click on the image and learn why there is clay in Galway Bay. If you would like to create your own imaginary story, just download a map and see what you can do! Best of luck.
It is a wonderful resource where you can create a story based on your local area.
Click on the image and learn why there is clay in Galway Bay. If you would like to create your own imaginary story, just download a map and see what you can do! Best of luck.
Just for Fun - for Young Ocean Explorers
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Aquarium Colouring Pages
Click on the link to see our colour activity pages.
Some more of our Favorite Videos and Activity Sheets to try at home or in school
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For more activities check the aquarium education page or view the images of our incredible animals in the gallery.