The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment has announced the launch of the Marine Institute’s new Explorers Digital Marine Maps platform, featuring the educational module ‘Our Ocean Our Future – Marine Spatial Planning for Kids’. This interactive resource is designed to make complex marine data accessible and engaging for students, teachers, and educators, helping young learners understand the principles of sustainable marine management.
Minister of State Timmy Dooley praised the initiative for leveraging technology to promote marine education, stating that it empowers students to engage with the National Marine Planning Framework and Marine Spatial Planning. He highlighted the importance of fostering a new generation of ocean stewards who can contribute to a sustainable ‘blue economy’ and maintain a healthy marine environment.
The platform allows children to explore different layers of marine activities in Irish waters, including fishing, ocean wind energy, shipping, travel, and recreation, while also highlighting protected areas that conserve Ireland’s marine biodiversity and habitats. It is designed to support classroom learning, integrating lesson plans and activities to help students develop digital literacy and interpersonal skills essential for understanding marine spatial planning.
Dr Rick Officer, CEO of the Marine Institute, emphasized the platform’s value in transforming complex marine data into a practical and interactive learning experience. He noted that it helps students understand sustainable development and environmental protection while also providing evidence to inform national policy decisions on climate impacts, species protection, and the placement of offshore wind farms.
Peter Walsh, Principal of St. Conaire’s National School, praised the resource for making it easier for students to visualize and understand the importance of using data and evidence in marine planning. He highlighted that the accompanying educational materials are crucial for providing a full understanding of the policies and legal frameworks that guide marine management, making lessons both relevant and engaging.
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