'Galway Bay in the Classroom' & 'Something Fishy'
Located on the picturesque rural Doorus peninsula, the locality of Scoil Chiarain Naofa is dominated by the Atlantic Ocean. The seashore has long been used as a treasure chest of art, social, heritage and science learning resources.
So it was probably no surprised that Scoil Chiarain Naofa was selected in early 2007 by the Galway Education Centre and Galway County Council to be a participant in a very special project on aquatic biodiversity developed to provide 'hands-on' learning on multiple aspects of the wildlife and natural environmental of Galway Bay and the rivers of Galway.
We had in-school talks from scientists, visited Ireland's national Aquarium in Salthill, undertake a guided tour of a local river, completed a series of learning modules on the excellent 'Something Fishy' website, put together a series of colourful wall-mounted information sheets on different aspects of the marine and riverine environments as well as producing a gigantic artistic poster entitled 'Creatures of the Deep'.
But the icing on the cake was the delivery and installation of a large seawater aquarium in the classroom of the third and fourth year pupils. Funded by Galway County's Biodiversity/Heritage programme, it was stocked with a wonderful variety of fish and other sea creatures by the staff of Atlantaquaria.
This marine tank will become our school's pride and joy for many more years to come!
Project Stages:-
A Visit to the River
In June, a number of classes were taken on a field trip to a local river by an officer of the Western Regional Fisheries Board. This gentleman brought us along the banks of the river and pointed out the different habitats that suit different types of fish, the importance of maintaining the cleanliness of river water and the enjoyment of angling as a enjoyable pastime.
Science Mentoring (our helpful friends)
In order to achieve our objectives for this project, we received invaluable assistance from an array of expert organisations and initiatives including the Western Regional Fisheries Board, Atlantaquaria, Galway Education Centre, the DERI institute at NUI Galway and Elaine O'Riordan of the Galway County Council's Biodiversity programme.We had in-school talks from scientists, visited Ireland's national Aquarium in Salthill, undertake a guided tour of a local river, completed a series of learning modules on the excellent 'Something Fishy' website, put together a series of colourful wall-mounted information sheets on different aspects of the marine and riverine environments as well as producing a gigantic artistic poster entitled 'Creatures of the Deep'.
But the icing on the cake was the delivery and installation of a large seawater aquarium in the classroom of the third and fourth year pupils. Funded by Galway County's Biodiversity/Heritage programme, it was stocked with a wonderful variety of fish and other sea creatures by the staff of Atlantaquaria.
This marine tank will become our school's pride and joy for many more years to come!
Project Stages:-
A Visit to the Seashore
Over the last few years, Scoil Chiarain Naofa has undertaken many different science projects related to the coastal areas and seascapes of the Doorus peninsula. For the last few years we selected a different subject annually for an in-depth analysis. Topics ranged from seaweed to wave energy. These projects formed part of the renowned 'Fionn' Galway Primary School Science programme which committed the school to the production of a child-orientated educational film documentary per annum. We are pleased to note that our 2006 film on the history of the Tidal Mills of Doorus won the Schools category of the prestigious Galway County Heritage Awards.
So this year's water life project involved a visit to our neighbouring seashore for on-the-spot study of the plants and animals found amongst the stones and rockpools.
One of the highlights of our school year was the arrival of a large aquarium brought to us by the staff of the Atlantaquaria and paid for by the Galway County Council's Biodiversity programme. It was installed in the classroom of the third and fourth years.
It was not your typical freshwater tank with a few nice goldfish that one normally finds in school. For our unit contained sea-water and loads of creatures that populate the rockpools and shores of Galway Bay such as hermit crab, shrimp, mullet, butterfish and starfish. In other words, what the pupils would and did find from their own visits to the nearby seashore. With this living marine world in the classroom, we came to a better understanding of the rich and diverse range of life that live in the waters surrounding the Doorus peninsula.
We were taught all about how different species relate to each other, what the characteristics and needs of each species are and the daily, weekly and monthly tasks needed to maintain the tank and its occupants in a healthy condition.
Until the school closed at the end of June, we made a number of excursions to the seaside in order to get some additional and replacements marine creatures for our aquarium. This was because some of our original
specimens died due to accidents and other happenings.
The Log-
Every few days, pupils were required to write up a report or log on the activities in and for the aquarium.
These are some extracts:
Log Book entry for May 23:When we were on our school tour. The other class were minding the
fish tank and the crab died. Jack fished out the crab out of the tank. Francesca brought in a shell from Italy and Lia brought in water for the tank the butter fish went in the filter and the temperature was 18C.
Log Book entry for May 28:
We have fed the fish today.One of the butter fish is in the filter. The 2 others are in the tank.The fish are getting very big
Log Book entry for Thursday June 7:
The crab ate 2 butterfish! He ate them both in 10 minutes. It was 22 degrees. The fish were fed. The crabs were released into traught. We found a Sea Anemone it was red . The tank was cleaned we got a shrimp from the beach and now its in the tank. We also brought home a prawn and two small crabs.
in this 'Galway Bay in the Classroom' project.The following day one of the students wrote a report on the excursion: We did experiments and put a tablet in water in a bottle and it exploded and hit the roof! We were thought how to filter water through sand and about different types of fish, or which ones would be suitable for our classroom. Finally, we took the tour.I held three starfish and fed the fish! At the end of the day we went to the park.Then we had to go back to school.Shame! A day out at the Aquarium On March the 20th 3rd and 4th class went to the Aquarium, here is the layout. 1. We divided into two groups and took turns with experiments and computers. 2.We had lunch. 3.We went to a classroom and learnt how to care for animals. 4.Finally we took a trip to see all the animals and got
to ask loads of questions about their habitats.
5.We went to a park, it was really fun. All in all it was lovely.I have no real favourites. The experiments were really fun we got to see what salt water with colouring did when it mixed with fresh water.We made boats out of plasticene and saw if they would float. We made a water flannel. We made a rocket. When we saw the animals my favourite bit of it was picking up the starfish. Our School Tour To The Aquarium Tuesday 20th March we left with mums and dads to go to a school tour to the aquarium.We were met by two girls at the aquarium who were going to take us on a tour around.First we went to the science room.We looked through computerised microscopes at shells and shark eggs and lots of other things.Next the classroom where we learned about tough fish and fish that are weak.We talked about sand and how water would sink in leaving dirt behind.The girls took us around looking at different species of fish like salmon, small sharks,cod,sting rays which we got to touch.There was a conger eel and the amazing thing is it can swim backwards.Sea horses,the male has 2,000 babies they are going extinct.It was a great day.
Fascinating stuff!
Individual or small groups of pupils were chosen to research specific species of aquatic wildlife.
They were required to display their completed work in the form of wall-mounted information poster.
Species covered included turtles, seals, dolphins and oysters.
Quite a diverse range!
Art: 'Creatures of the Deep'
Over the last few years, Scoil Chiarain Naofa has undertaken many different science projects related to the coastal areas and seascapes of the Doorus peninsula. For the last few years we selected a different subject annually for an in-depth analysis. Topics ranged from seaweed to wave energy. These projects formed part of the renowned 'Fionn' Galway Primary School Science programme which committed the school to the production of a child-orientated educational film documentary per annum. We are pleased to note that our 2006 film on the history of the Tidal Mills of Doorus won the Schools category of the prestigious Galway County Heritage Awards.So this year's water life project involved a visit to our neighbouring seashore for on-the-spot study of the plants and animals found amongst the stones and rockpools.
Galway Bay in the Classroom!
- Big Aquarium for our school
- Big Aquarium for our school
One of the highlights of our school year was the arrival of a large aquarium brought to us by the staff of the Atlantaquaria and paid for by the Galway County Council's Biodiversity programme. It was installed in the classroom of the third and fourth years.
It was not your typical freshwater tank with a few nice goldfish that one normally finds in school. For our unit contained sea-water and loads of creatures that populate the rockpools and shores of Galway Bay such as hermit crab, shrimp, mullet, butterfish and starfish. In other words, what the pupils would and did find from their own visits to the nearby seashore. With this living marine world in the classroom, we came to a better understanding of the rich and diverse range of life that live in the waters surrounding the Doorus peninsula.
We were taught all about how different species relate to each other, what the characteristics and needs of each species are and the daily, weekly and monthly tasks needed to maintain the tank and its occupants in a healthy condition.
Until the school closed at the end of June, we made a number of excursions to the seaside in order to get some additional and replacements marine creatures for our aquarium. This was because some of our original
specimens died due to accidents and other happenings.The Log-
Every few days, pupils were required to write up a report or log on the activities in and for the aquarium.
These are some extracts:
Log Book entry for May 11:
Today we fed the fish and changed the water. The rockling got stuck in the filter and we fished it out. Brendan Smith came to talk about the fish. We cleaned out the tank and we put 2 rocks in the fish tank and Orla fed the fish.Log Book entry for May 23:
fish tank and the crab died. Jack fished out the crab out of the tank. Francesca brought in a shell from Italy and Lia brought in water for the tank the butter fish went in the filter and the temperature was 18C.Log Book entry for May 28:
We have fed the fish today.One of the butter fish is in the filter. The 2 others are in the tank.The fish are getting very big
The crab ate 2 butterfish! He ate them both in 10 minutes. It was 22 degrees. The fish were fed. The crabs were released into traught. We found a Sea Anemone it was red . The tank was cleaned we got a shrimp from the beach and now its in the tank. We also brought home a prawn and two small crabs.
A Visit to Ireland's National Aquarium
Together with teacher Ms. O'Riordan, the pupils from the 3rd and 4th class visited the Galway Aquarium on Tuesday March 20th as part of their involvement
in this 'Galway Bay in the Classroom' project.
to ask loads of questions about their habitats.By Kevin
'Something Fishy'
Our teacher Ms O'Riordan introduced us to a brilliant website that provided a treasure trove of information on water and its wildlife. We had to study each of the Something Fishy websites's eight separate sections that covered such issues as :
- Properties of water
- Water Cycle
- Water Conversation
- Nutritional value of Fish
- Angling
Fascinating stuff!
'Creatures of the Deep'- Focus on particular species
Individual or small groups of pupils were chosen to research specific species of aquatic wildlife.
They were required to display their completed work in the form of wall-mounted information poster.
Species covered included turtles, seals, dolphins and oysters.
Quite a diverse range!
Under 
the supervision of teacher Ms. Helen O'Riordan, our 3rd and 4th year pupils created a fantastic work of art entitled 'Creatures of the Deep' which dominated the wall space of the school's large hallway.
the supervision of teacher Ms. Helen O'Riordan, our 3rd and 4th year pupils created a fantastic work of art entitled 'Creatures of the Deep' which dominated the wall space of the school's large hallway.Before starting this artwork, they researched the different types of fish, shellfish and other animals that live in the ocean as well as reading up on the legends of mermaids and other mythical creatures.
Twenty four large sheets of paper were joined together to formed the backdrop. Onto this canvas, the children painted the colours of the waters and seafloor.
Later this artistic ocean was populated by a wonderful galaxy of real and exotic marine creatures in all shapes and sizes made out of an array of materials including paper, plastic, cloth and feathers.
As you can see from the photos, the results were brilliant!
Water Life -From tiny Tree Frogs to huge Desert Crocodiles!
The project coordinator, Brendan Smith, visited our school a number of times to help us with our activities. On one occasion, he gave us a film presentation about the myriad of creatures that inhabit the different waters across the world, from the tiny frogs that live in small drops of water on the tree leaves in the tropical rainforests through to the large crocodiles that spend most of their lives asleep in caves under the sands of the Sahara desert.
It was nice to get a global perspective on aquatic life.
It was nice to get a global perspective on aquatic life.
A Visit to the River
In June, a number of classes were taken on a field trip to a local river by an officer of the Western Regional Fisheries Board. This gentleman brought us along the banks of the river and pointed out the different habitats that suit different types of fish, the importance of maintaining the cleanliness of river water and the enjoyment of angling as a enjoyable pastime.Going on a Summer Holiday!
At the end of the school year in late June, the occupants of our marine aquarium travelled together to Atlantaquaria in Salthill where they would their summer holidays!
