Come Explore our incredible Ocean and Rivers, Past, Present and Future
How to build a log boat and its history
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Ancient Ireland was covered in trees, and even Galway Bay looked so much different many years ago. Galway Bay used to be a massive forest (see)
I think we can agree that as islanders, our ancestors had a unique link to our rivers and seas that has passed onto us. Back in the day local villages utilised the wonder of log boats, which basically transformed these small villages into trading stops, goods delivery areas and very often as a means to escape from invaders! The Aquarium in Galway has a wonderful preserved canoe "The Bearna Dugout Canoe", and it is over 5000 years old. See the video of it here |
But how did they make these vessels? 
Matt and Ian building the canoe...circa 1021?
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Click on the image to learn how the log boat was made.
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JIGSAW TIME
Animal themed videos and activity sheets
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.
MOON JELLYFISH Activity
Click on the link to see the YouTube video.
Learn more about Moon Jellyfish , download the activity book here.
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Moon Jellyfish
Jellyfish are simple animals that have no brain, no heart and no eyes. They also have no internal hard skeleton and are 97% water. Yet remarkably for all this simplicity, they are highly successful and are abundant throughout our ocean. They play an important role in our marine ecosystems, often accumulating in huge numbers that can consist of 1000’s of individual Jellyfish. Moon Jellyfish feed on plankton, the microscopic animals and plants that drift in our seas. They catch this plankton with their stinging tentacles that hang underneath them. Our Jellyfish feed on tiny brine shrimp which are often orange in colour. When the jellyfish have been feeding well, this food can be seen inside their translucent body. While the Moon jellyfish has a very mild sting, one of the most venomous jellyfish in Irish waters, the Lion’s Mane Jellyfish, can inflict a painful sting and is often found around our shores. Learn more by clicking on the link below!! |
Download our wordsearch activity.
Join our Scavenger Hunt with Caoimhe
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Tá cladach na farraige lan de bithéagsúlacht, mar sin tá siad áit iontach chun tóraíocht taisce a dhéanamh. Téigh chuig do trá coitianta agus féach cad is féidir leat a fháil. Úsáid an bileog gníomhaíochta ón suíomh gréasáin chun cabhrú leat. Tá tóraíochta taisce spraoi agus éasca ná bí buartha muna faigheann tú gach speiceas ar an trá, tá na hainmhithe a cónaíonn sna lochán carraige an mhaith ag duaithníocht. Féach amach i gcomhar blaosc, carraige agus feamainn freisin! Tá súil againn go mbeidh spraoi agat.
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Our sea shores are filled with biodiversity, so they are a great spot to carry out a scavenger hunt! Head to your local beach and see what you can find! Using the activity sheet provided which can be found on the Galway Atlantaquaria’s website. Scavenger hunts are fun and easy but do not be discouraged if you are having trouble finding certain animals because these animals are fantastic hiders. You can look out for shells, rocks and seaweed. We hope you have fun!
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Scavenger Hunt Worksheets
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Head to the shore for a Seashore Search with Caoimhe and Anna
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Seagrass, one of the most productive ecosystems in the world
Learn more about the wonder of seagrass and its immense value for the environment.
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Cut out, colour your own seagrass meadow activity.
Image of seagrass kindly shared by Dr Jose M. Fariñas-Franco.
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United for Biodiversity
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This year we developed a new Biodiversity Page, to share
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. |
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.
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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Sensational Seahorses - Video and Worksheets
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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
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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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.