Students from St Brigid’s National School, Ticknevin, Co. Kildare took part in a beach exploration workshop at Portmarnock beach hosted by Green-Schools on Tuesday, June 18. The school is one of ten that recently took part in the SeaKeepers Project, a new initiative of the Green-Schools Marine Environment theme, which provides primary school teachers with a suite of resources and lesson plans focusing on the ecology of six native Irish marine species.

The aim of the project is to increase young people’s knowledge of Ireland’s native marine biodiversity and to foster a deeper appreciation for our coastal habitats and sea-life. 27 students from 2nd, 3rd and 4th class attended the workshop which focused on exploring marine biodiversity and celebrating our oceans and coast. In Portmarnock, the students took part in a range of activities and games, including rocky seashore exploration, marine litter relay race, marine art, and wellbeing at the seashore.

 

St Brigid’s NS is a small (ca. 80 student) rural school near Carbury, Co. Kildare. They have been working on the Green-Schools programme since 2011 and were recently awarded their fourth Green Flag for their work on the Global Citizenship Marine Environment theme. As well as taking part in the SeaKeepers Project, they also attended a marine forum in Tallaght last November and the 2019 Green-Schools Marine Environment Conference in Salthill, Galway in January.

Green-Schools Manager Cathy Baxter welcomed the students to the seashore: “We’re delighted to provide an opportunity for these students to get out of the classroom and experience the coastline first-hand. We hope that the SeaKeepers project and the Green-Schools Programme will encourage children to enjoy the wonders of our shores with their friends and families this summer and into their future.”

  • Learn more about the SeaKeepers Project here.