Munster Express Online

Second year Presentation Students on their Marine Education Course at Oceanics Surf and Marine Education Facility, @ The Red Cottage, Tramore, Co Waterford

Second year students at the Presentation Secondary School, Waterford got to grips with ‘The Outdoor Classroom’ at the Marine Educational Facility at Oceanics Surf School in Tramore for their curriculum based Ecology and Biology programmes.

The Oceanics educational programme took the students out into an educational environment “The Outdoor Classroom” for a hands on experience in surveying and a greater understanding of food webs and how animals interact in the local habitats. This will be highly beneficial for students in preparation for the Junior or Leaving Certificate exams in covering the ecology biology question.

The Students encountered plants and animals in a variety of habitats as they explored and studied one or more of the ecosystems i.e. Sand Dunes, Salt Marsh, Inter-tidal Mud Flats/Sand Flats, Shingle Embankments and Rock Pools with Ecologist Alan Walsh from Oceanics.

Oceanics Surf School and Marine Educational Facility is the only facility of its type in Waterford offering Marine Educational programmes. Oceanics Curriculum based field trip explorations programmes boost the students understanding of Ecology and its everyday application.

The application includes identifying and using field studies equipment in the chosen habitat using quadrates, binoculars, meter sticks, light meter, identification keys and record sheets plus report preparation for results back in the indoor classroom.

Oceanics Marine educational programmes also offer students an opportunity to learn the techniques of surfing as their first step into a career as an instructor. Their summer surfing camps programmes are aimed at developing the participant’s interest in the sport, building their confidence in waves while encouraging the aspect of learning techniques that will allow them to take the first step on the ladder of surf instructorship.

Summer camps run every week in July and August and school educational programmes during the school term. For further information on summer camps, educational programmes and group activities contact Linda or Paul Tuohy 051 390944 www.oceanics.ie