The Green-Schools Team is delighted to launch our latest initiative: SeaKeepers. The Green-Schools SeaKeepers Project is a new pilot we are currently running with a selection of schools working on the Global Citizenship Marine Environment theme. We are especially excited to launch this new project on World Wildlife Day 2019, whose theme this year is  Life below water: for people and planet. 

What is SeaKeepers?

The aim of the Seakeepers Project is to increase students’ knowledge of marine biodiversity through focusing on a small number of native Irish species. Ireland has an extremely rich marine environment, but our oceans are increasingly threatened by climate change, pollution, and overfishing among others.

We believe that to really care about something you must first be aware of it, and have a personal, emotional connection to it.

Children today have less exposure to, and interaction with, nature than any previous generation. We hope that by increasing students’ knowledge of and interest in the animals and plants living near and in our seas, they will develop a personal appreciation for the coasts and will be inspired to make more sustainable choices as they grow older. This year we are piloting the module with 3rd and 4th class students in a small number of schools.

How does SeaKeepers work?

For the pilot year of SeaKeepers we are asking participating teachers to complete a short Marine Biodiversity Knowledge Survey with their students, the aim of which is to check the students’ current knowledge levels about marine species. Once the survey is completed we send schools our SeaKeepers Resource Pack, which will include background information about six native Irish species, along with an activity sheet for students, and links to online resources. These materials will be relevant for the Living Things and Environmental Awareness and Care strands of the SESE curriculum, and we hope that they will be used in the classroom to improve students’ identification of the selected native species and knowledge of their biology and life-cycle. Later in the year, we will ask teachers to repeat the knowledge survey with students so we can monitor the effectiveness of the project. One lucky class will then be selected to receive a beach exploration workshop next June provided by Green-Schools staff!

How do I get involved?

The SeaKeepers Project is currently full for this pilot year. Please keep an eye on this website and our social media channels in September for information on next year’s project. If you have any queries about the project you can contact Caoimhe at cobrienmoran@eeu.antaisce.org or Chloe at ckinsella@eeu.antaisce.org; or call (01) 4002222.

The SeaKeepers Project is designed and delivered by Green-Schools, a programme run by the Environmental Education Unit of An Taisce; the Project is sponsored by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.