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About our education team (click to learn more)
Our Educational Team have over 20 years experience in Ocean Literacy, Outdoor Learning and Virtual Workshops. We deliver in-house education, outreach and are part of a number of school programmes includes Discover Primary Science and Maths, and the Explorers Education Programme, funded by the Marine Institute. We have experience in delivering teacher and pre-service teacherre workshops with DPSM, the Explorers and the Junior Cycle for Teachers, and working with the Aistear Curriculum. We are part of the BIAZA and EAZA networks, and are current secretariat of the Irish Ocean Literacy Network, working towards an Ocean Literate society on the Island of Ireland. We are passionate about conservation, education and our ocean, and are happy collaborate and work with 3rd party organisations on workshops, recordings, content development and educational deliverables. Contact noirin@nationalaquarium.ie for enquires. |
Bookings now open for September 2021
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Would you like your class to visit the seashore? Take part in a TY ocean connections class? Or carry out a Leaving Certificate Ecology Study?
Options available for early years, primary, a secondary schools and 3rd level groups from September 2021, for classes on the shore, online and in school. Contact info@nationalaquarium.ie for more information. |
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Virtual School Tours
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VIRTUAL AQUARIUM, LEarn more..
Did you know we have a new ‘Virtual Aquarium Tour’ available for schools? Through 6 engaging episodes we investigate a range of themes from Freshwater Habitats to Ocean Connections and Care. Each episode has a quiz to test the learners knowledge at the end. Free accompanying worksheets are available covering a range of cross curricular links, helping students build on what they have learned. These are available in English and As Geailge. For just €40 your class can have access to all 6 episodes for one month plus an online Q&A session with one of our Education Team. The tour is ideally suited or children between 6- 14 years. Email info@nationalaquarium.ie to rent the series for your class today. |
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Download your worksheets by clicking the image above!
We can meet your schools for an online workshop, and can cover a range of freshwater and marine topics including:
For Explorers Education Programme Modules for Primary Schools (funded by the Marine Institute) please see the Explorers Education Section below.
- Biodiverity and Living Things
- Ocean Conservation and Care
- Ocean connections and Climate Change
- Marine Litter
- Fisheries and Food Production
For Explorers Education Programme Modules for Primary Schools (funded by the Marine Institute) please see the Explorers Education Section below.
See what events are coming soon.
Due to current restrictions we can only meet people online at the moment. Check an eye on our social media and the aquakids page for lots of new fun activities and ideas to try from home #homeschool
EDUCATION OPTIONS, CLICK TO OPEN
As Ireland’s largest Native Species Aquarium, we are the perfect location for school tours and workshops based around Ireland’s marine and freshwater environments. Class options include biodiversity, sustainability, environmental awareness , care and ecology investigations.
We cater for students of all ages, with options available to pre-school, primary, secondary and third level educational needs. We are located on the seafront in Salthill, within easy access to parking, food service providers and habitats to explore.
Our Outdoor modules include
Aquarium Tours will be based on a one way route, with a separate entrance and exit point.
Groups will have a designated time slot with limited access to members of the public during these times. Teachers can also be provided with content to deliver a self lead tour,with activities provided to use in preparation and as follow up before and after their school visit.
We are also a designated Discover Primary Science and Maths Centre, meaning a visit to us will help your school achieve its 'Award of Excellence’ under the DPSM programme. All our staff are highly experienced in the delivery of education workshops and fieldwork, Garda vetted and trained in child protection, and have all completed the Failte Ireland Covid-19 Charter.
We cater for students of all ages, with options available to pre-school, primary, secondary and third level educational needs. We are located on the seafront in Salthill, within easy access to parking, food service providers and habitats to explore.
Our Outdoor modules include
- Learning experiences where students can work in small groups
- Activities that will promote learning and exploration in a non-contact nature
- Activities that promote students creativity
- Problem solving during individual student tasks
Aquarium Tours will be based on a one way route, with a separate entrance and exit point.
Groups will have a designated time slot with limited access to members of the public during these times. Teachers can also be provided with content to deliver a self lead tour,with activities provided to use in preparation and as follow up before and after their school visit.
We are also a designated Discover Primary Science and Maths Centre, meaning a visit to us will help your school achieve its 'Award of Excellence’ under the DPSM programme. All our staff are highly experienced in the delivery of education workshops and fieldwork, Garda vetted and trained in child protection, and have all completed the Failte Ireland Covid-19 Charter.
Click for more INFO on our Primary School Programmes
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Click for more INFO on our Secondary School Programmes
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Our Secondary School Modules include:
- Field Studies Modules including Grassland and Seashore Ecology Investigations.
- Animal anatomy workshop based around a squid dissection.
- Engineering Workshops based on designing flood defences and investigating coastal erosion.
- Maths Workshop Explore the maths trail around the Aquarium.
- Sustainability Workshop based on fisheries and sustainable food production.
- Marine Litter Workshop based on materials and environmental awareness and care, and responsible personal choices.
Contact us today, to find out how we can work with you and your students to engage and inspire.
Contact us in relation to our DPSM (Discover Primary Science & Maths) and Explorers Education Programme.
Our DPSM Workshops include a tour of the aquarium plus any of the following options:
- Science Experiments: Bring Science to life in our Explorer's Laboratory.
- Animal Anatomy: Learn about the characteristics of living things and take part in a squid dissection.
- Seashore Safari: Take a trip to our local shore, Grattan Beach to learn about Galway's seashore life.
- Explorers Maths Workshop: Celebrate Maths with your students by carrying out an Explorers Maths workshop.
- Engineering Trial and Workshop: The workshop includes a guided tour of the aquarium, with an integrated engineering trail, designed in association with STEPS engineering and SFI Discover.
Contact us today to talk about booking your visit. And while your waiting check out lots of fantastic resources for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math's at the DPSM website STEM at Home
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Seashore species and Ocean Literacy: Take a closer look
The Discover Primary Science and Maths (DPSM) programme at Science Foundation Ireland teamed up with Galway Atlantaquaria to explore seashore species, sustainability, and ocean conservation. ‘Ocean Literacy’ simply means understanding how the oceans influence us, as humans, and how we impact the oceans. Oceans cover two thirds of the planet and contain over 200,000 unique marine species with more yet to be discovered. Each of these species are important within their own habitats and have special adaptations to survive. In this DPSM STEM Series episode, Anna introduces us to some of the common species found on Irish shorelines, Padraic looks at sustainable seafood and the team offer some helpful tips on how you can protect the oceans. |
 Explorers Pilot Training (2020)
Muriel Rumball, Eimear Manning, Megan Gaskin, Dave mC Grath, Eoin mC Mahon, Noirin Burke and Gillian Wheatly. Photo Taken by Cushla Dromgool Regan.
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The Explorers Education Programme engages with primary school children, teachers and the education network, creating marine leaders and ocean champions in Ireland.
It is funded by the Marine Institute, Ireland’s state agency for marine research and development, and Galway Atlantaquaria are delighted to be part of the Explorers Team since it was launched in 2006. Galway Atlantaquaria currently deliver school modules to schools in Co. Galway on behalf of the programme and provide services including:
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Explorers School Modules in Co. Galway
The aquariums Outreach Officer Padraic Creedon delivers the programme to schools in Co. Galway each year. Schools taking part can apply for one of the following exciting interactive modules:
- Explorers Saltwater Aquarium in your classroom or online
- Explorers Marine Project, can also be acrried out as an online module
- Explorers Seashore Safari, outdoor module, with prep and content available through zoom online if needed
- Explorers Marine Workshop
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We have also been working alongside our friends in the Explorers Team to provide content and support to parents while we stay at home. You will find Ocean School Plans, activity ideas and lots of marine resources on the Explorers Website and on the Explorers Facebook Page for your Ocean Home School #ExplorersAtHome
If you are interested in taking part in next year's (2020-2021) Explorers Education Programme, either through online school modules or fieldwork on the shore contact padraic@nationalaquarium.ie , check out our video for more information. |
Galway Atlantaquaria Videos and Worksheets as seen on RTE Homeschool Hub
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Join Dylan from Galway Atlantaquaria as he explorers the tides. View the shore at low and high tide and investigate how the gravitational forces of the sun and moon affect the water on our planet. Learn about how animals survive this harsh environment as you watch sand eels and green shore crabs burrow in the sand, and netted whelks immerse themselves as the tide goes out to protect themselves from their predators.
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For more education videos and worksheets to use at home or in your school visit our Aquakids Page
We have an ocean of videos on life under water and more, have a look!
Have you seen the incredible videos on the Galway Atlantaquaria YouTube Channel? With over 50 videos to view, you can watch animals in the aquarium and on the shore, and clips also recorded from the Digital Ocean in Galway Bay. Check it out today to bring the Ocean into your Home. Check out Galway Atlantaquaria VIMEO here.
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