A collaboration between Lifetime Lab, “Explorers” Primary Marine Outreach and Education Programme and University College Cork will bring some of the wonders of marine life to primary school children over two weeks this March.

The Explorers Education Programme  aims to integrate marine themes as closely as possible with lessons already taught in national schools through the Social Environment and Scientific Education (SESC) curriculam and other cross-curricular subjects.The programme is co-ordinated by the Marine Institute through Galway Atlantaquaria and supported by the Forfas Discover Primary Science Programme and has already been successfully rolled out to some 40 primary schools in the West of Ireland from Mayo to Clare, and in six schools in the greater Dublin area.

The explorers programme will run at Lifetime Lab from Monday 28th March to Friday April 8th 2011 and with pupils engaging in activities on the themes of "Living Things and Environmental issues" and Materials,Energy and Forces" over a two hour workshop.For booking details and further information please contact Lifetime Lab at 021 4941500 or lifetimelab@corkcity.ie

L-R Pat O’ Suilleabhain of Bray Sea Life Centre, Maria Spring - Principal of St. Clares Primary School and Dr. Peter Heffernan with two Sixth Class Pupils at the launch of the Programme - Photos Jason Clarke Photography.

“The Explorers Programme focuses on Ireland’s two greatest natural resources – our vast undersea territory and our young people,” said Dr. Peter Heffernan, CEO of the Marine Institute. “If Ireland is to develop a thriving marine sector in tomorrow’s world, then it will be the young people of today who will make it happen.”

As well as providing specially adapted lesson plans via its website at www.explorers.ie, the Programme also assists local Education Centres with special in-service courses for teachers on seashore ecology, marine history, arts, crafts and mathematics.