Restoring The Environment While Powering the Aquaculture Industry
The Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) Aquaculture Remote Classroom (ARC) is a mobile classroom launched in 2018 aiming to spread knowledge to children about aquaculture’s role in coastal communities and eco-friendly food production. It is part of a wider EU project known as #FarmedInTheEU, which focuses on developing awareness around seafood farming amongst younger demographics. The ARC is a classroom on wheels that delivers aquaculture-related workshops for schools and events to promote understanding of aquaculture. Aine-Lisa Shannon and Aine O’Donnell are two of the educational facilitators on the ARC.
Aine O’Donnell began her journey in the industry with a job at H2 Learning, where she acted as a facilitator for the BIM ARC. With over a decade of experience in research, education, and communications, she feels that her role on the ARC aligns perfectly with her strengths. O’Donnell’s family comes from Donegal in Northwest Ireland, a coastal community that relies strongly on the aquaculture industry. Working as a facilitator on the ARC, O’Donnell enjoys educating primary and secondary-age students about the industry and its roles in global food security, climate adaptation, human health, and economic development.
Aine-Lisa Shannon’s family also comes from a coastal community, county Clare in the West of Ireland. Originally looking into zoology, Shannon discovered the marine biology unit. She immediately began her journey by getting a bachelor’s degree from the National University of Ireland, going on to complete her master’s at University College Cork. After graduation, she gained experience working on research vessels as an observer for trips handling a multitude of disciplines, such as oceanography, deep-sea monitoring, and fisheries science. While working with Ireland’s Marine Institute, she discovered her passion for science communications and public outreach. She feels that her job on the ARC as a facilitator allows her to pursue that side of her career, and has sparked her passion for the aquaculture industry.
The COVID-19 pandemic temporarily put a halt to the ARC’s operations, much like everything else in the world. However, ARC quickly transitioned online with modules, webinars, educational videos, and interactive online games. Attendance to the modules quickly increased as the program became more accessible.
A Typical Day on The ARC
To learn more about the BIM ARC and how it’s spreading aquaculture awareness across Ireland, go to TheFishSite.com:
“‘A typical day in the ARC starts with the ARC@School programme offered to 5th and 6th class primary students (ages 11 to 12). We run a full day of workshops from 9:30 am to 2 pm that focus on commercial species that are farmed in Ireland – organic Atlantic salmon, mussels and oysters. We also touch on production of trout and seaweed. We use presentations, practical activities and interactive elements like VR to give the students a really immersive learning experience. Throughout the day we cover five main topics which have been carefully aligned to the primary curriculum, STEM and key objectives in the #FarmedintheEU project.’
‘Module 1 covers history, the farming timeline, the biology of Ireland’s commercial aquaculture species and how these species are farmed in Irish waters. Module 2 covers geography and science and discusses the role of weather and climate on farming productivity and efficiency. Module 3 looks at jobs and resources and how geographical locations – whether rural, urban or coastal – play a massive role in the type of work available to communities here and abroad. Module 4 discusses the role of seafood consumption as part of a balanced diet, highlights the key nutrients found in seafood and why they are important. Last module concludes with a big positive message about aquaculture. It highlights the sector’s role in global food security, how it provides a climate-friendly protein, how it reduces pressure on our finite resources and a gentle reminder to respect the planet.’”
Are there any other ventures you know of that aim to spread aquaculture awareness among younger generations?
Source: Women in Aquaculture – Aine O’Donnell and Aine-Lisa Shannon - The Fish Site
https://thefishsite.com/articles/women-in-aquaculture-aine-odonnell-and-aine-lisa-shannon-aquaculture-remote-classroom
Photo Source: WIX - www.wix.com
Written by AQUAMERGE
November 14, 2022