The SeaKeepers Project 2023-2024 is now OPEN for registrations! Scroll down to fin out more and download the registration materials.
What is SeaKeepers?
The SeaKeepers Project runs from October – May and is available to schools currently working on, or previously awarded, the Global Citizenship: Marine Environment theme. The SeaKeepers resource pack includes six interactive lesson presentations, as well as a background information sheet, video links and activities relating to six Irish marine species. These materials will be relevant for the Living Things and Environmental Awareness and Care strands of the SESE curriculum. At the end of the project, one lucky school will be selected at random to receive a prize of a free Beach Exploration Workshop at a beach near them before the summer holidays!
We are delighted to launch six brand new SeaKeepers species for the 2023-2024 academic year, so if you have taken part before, sign up now to learn about a new set of Irish marine animals and seaweeds!
The SeaKeepers Project is an initiative of the Green-Schools Global Citizenship Marine Environment theme, supported by the Marine section of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
How do we take part?
Eligibility: The SeaKeepers Project is available to schools currently working on, or previously awarded, the Global Citizenship: Marine Environment theme.
- Teachers must select 10 students at random from their class to complete the Species Identification Survey, this can be done by picking the first/last ten students on the roll or picking names out of a hat. Teachers should make note of which students they have selected, as the same ten students will need to complete the repeat survey later in the year.
- For SeaKeepers Junior classes (Senior Infants/1st class/2nd class), selected students should be individually shown a colour printed version (or small computer display) of the Species Identification Survey and asked to name the animals/plants in the pictures as best they can – they can answer verbally and teacher will record responses in the Data Collection Sheet. The survey should not be displayed on the Interactive Whiteboard and students should not shout up answers – this is to ensure the students’ responses are not influenced by others.
- For 3rd/4th class students, individual Species Identification Surveys can be colour printed and distributed to the selected students and they can write their answers on the sheet, or alternatively answers can be verbally recorded by teacher as above. All answers should be transferred to the Data Collection Sheet by the teacher.
- All selected students should answer individually without help and out of earshot of other students and before any lessons are taught with regard to these species. The aim of this survey is to get baseline information about students’ general knowledge of Irish marine biodiversity, it is expected that they will score very low in the species identification survey – species names will be revealed in May.
- Teachers record the students’ answers in the appropriate Data Collection Sheet, along with the other requested details and email this to cobrienmoran@eeu.antaisce.org by Friday 24th November 2023 to receive access to the resources. Resources will be sent to teachers after the deadline Friday 24th November.
- Teachers should aim to complete all six species lessons by Friday 3rd May 2024. The same ten students should then be re-surveyed, and the repeat survey results submitted by Friday 10th May 2024. Further information on this will be sent to participating classes closer to the time. All participating classes will receive a certificate and one lucky class will then be selected to receive a beach exploration workshop next June provided by Green-Schools staff!
Apply now!
To take part in the SeaKeepers Project 2023/24 please carefully read the instructions above and download the appropriate documents below. Multiple classes from one school may apply, but each class’s results should be recorded in a separate Data Collection Sheet. Only Marine theme schools, or schools previously awarded the Marine flag are eligible to take part.
Participating teachers should compile the students’ responses in the Data Collection Sheet and email the completed version (as an Excel file) by email to Caoimhe at cobrienmoran@eeu.antaisce.org by Friday 24th November. Please do not return individual Species Identification Surveys.
If you are a Gaelscoil and would like to take part in SeaKeepers in Irish, please email Jennifer at jcooney@eeu.antaisce.org
If you have any general queries about SeaKeepers or any problems accessing or using the Data Collection Sheet please email Caoimhe at cobrienmoran@eeu.antaisce.org.