Two Donegal schools shortlisted for Ocean Champion Awards

Two schools in Donegal have been shortlisted for the Explorers Education Ocean Champion Awards 2023-2024. 

Scoil Cholmcille National School, Moville and Scoil Naomh Bríd, Lifford national schools completed an ocean project. Scoil Cholmcille entered the ‘Marine Outdoor School Project’ category with their project ‘Celebrating Greencastle's Maritime Heritage’. Scoil Naomh Bríd is in the ‘Ocean Literacy Creative School Project’ category with their ‘Seaweed for Ocean and Human Health’. 

There are fifteen primary schools across Ireland shortlisted for the awards, announced by the Marine Institute to celebrate World Oceans Day on June 8.

Many of the successful projects showed children working with their community towards creating a sustainable ocean and blue future. They included art exhibitions, documentary films; the creation of rock sculptures and messages for tourists on the beach; learning about medical research and generating social media campaigns; sharing fun facts about the influences of the ocean; designing boats for the future and cooking with seaweeds and children participating in a national choir singing about the sea.

“The projects completed by the teachers and children this year really highlight the value of ocean literacy themes being taught in schools, along with the importance of community collaboration in changing how we care for our marine environment,” Patricia Orme, Corporate Services Director of the Marine Institute said. “This year marks the 20th anniversary since the term ‘ocean literacy’ was first coined in the USA by teachers and scientists, when it was recognised there was a lack of understanding about the ocean and a need to teach marine sciences in a formal education setting.  

“The last two decades have seen the concept of ocean literacy grow in Ireland through the influence of the Explorers Education Programme working with schools and also its participation in World Oceans Day to celebrate our ocean planet collectively within our local communities. It has been fantastic to see over 70 per cent of the healthy ocean project applications this year focus on ocean literacy and the arts in the Ocean Champions School submissions.

“We were also delighted to see strong projects submitted by schools across nine coastal counties in categories that focused on STEAM and the ocean, SDGs and the ocean, as well as marine outdoor education. The shortlisted projects showcased how we connect and engage with the ocean from Donegal to Kerry and from Cork to Dublin.

“The projects with added value demonstrated how the children were actively involved in influencing members of their local communities to create behavioral changes. We were very impressed with the interviews with fishers, parents and teachers and the incredible artwork that engaged many communities in learning about the importance and intrinsic value of our ocean.

“We look forward to announcing the winners and organising the presentation of plaques and certificates by the Explorers teams throughout June and also celebrating World Oceans Day. The schools will receive special awards under the different categories: Marine STEAM, Ocean Literacy and the Arts, SDGs & the Ocean, and Marine Outdoor Education.”