The Marine Institute’s Explorers Education Programme is thrilled to announce the launch of its innovative ‘Superhero Climate Change’ educational resources. This comprehensive suite includes interactive presentations, teacher guides, lesson plans, and activities designed for thematic and cross-curricular learning in primary schools. These resources offer a unique opportunity for teachers and pupils to engage with the complex issue of climate change in a practical and enjoyable way.
Marine Institute CEO, Dr Rick Officer, praised the Explorers team for their efforts in creating these materials, stating: “This wide range of content helps to demystify global warming and the impacts of climate change, presenting them in a way that both teachers and children can easily understand and enjoy. The learning and engagement process also inspires creative solutions to tackle this global challenge.”
Restoring and protecting the Earth’s land, ocean, and biodiversity, as well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, are priorities echoed in key messages from recent UN climate summits. These summits have called for international collaboration to galvanize world climate and environmental goals.
Dr Rick Officer further emphasised: “It is particularly timely that these resources highlight the importance of collaborative learning and knowledge-sharing in addressing climate change. By fostering a collective understanding of the Earth’s climate system, we can work together to find effective solutions.”
Lead author of the Explorers Climate Change Superhero resources, Cushla Dromgool-Regan, explained: “These resources go beyond simply teaching about climate change; they help to develop a range of skills. Teachers and children will enhance their citizen engagement, digital learning, well-being, creativity, and language skills, all while deepening their understanding of the critical issue of climate change.”
Through creative and language-focused activities, such as drama, storytelling and writing, children are encouraged to explore the impacts of climate change on the ocean. By telling the stories of marine species, from plankton to whales, as well as polar bears, penguins, puffins, corals and fish, the pupils will learn about the impacts of ocean warming, ice-melting, sea-level rise, marine heatwaves, and ocean acidification.
Highlighting the importance of ocean science, Dr Caroline Cusack, Ocean Climate Scientist at the Marine Institute, congratulated the Explorers team, noting: “The module dedicated to ocean observations is fantastic. It showcases the critical role of marine scientists in gathering data using satellites, research vessels, and cutting-edge technology to monitor changes in the ocean. Sharing the work we do highlights the importance of marine research in protecting marine biodiversity and understanding the impacts of climate change.”
Ms Dromgool-Regan extended her gratitude to the Marine Institute scientists, as well as climate and weather experts from Met Eireann and the Environmental Protection Agency, for their invaluable contributions. She acknowledged the collaborative efforts of co-author Atlaya Peritz, the Explorers outreach team, and teachers who trialled the materials in classrooms. “Everyone’s contributions has enriched these resources, making them engaging and impactful for teachers and children in the classroom. Together, we hope to inspire children to take positive actions and truly become Climate Change Superheroes.”
The Climate Change Superheroes – Creating Solutions educational resources are now available to freely download from the website www.explorers.ie.
The Explorers Education Programme is funded by the Marine Institute. The Programme is managed by Camden Education Trust and Galway Atlantaquaria. The outreach is delivered by SeashoreKids, Oceanics Surf School, Old Cork Waterworks Experience, Galway Atlantaquaria, Sea Synergy, and Leave No Trace – Ireland. To book an outreach officer to visit your school, see explorers.ie for more information.
