#MarineScience - Over 300 Transition Year students from Galway and further afield visited the Marine Institute yesterday (Thursday 20 November) as part of the Galway Science & Technology Festival.
The students met scientists and staff, discovered the wide ranging work of the Marine Institute and got a glimpse of what it would be like to work in marine research.
“We’re delighted to open our doors to students today and we hope they’ll be inspired by the people they meet here and by the work that we’re doing to understand our unique ocean resources," said Marine Institute chief executive Dr Peter Heffernan.
"Some of the students may even go on to become ocean explorers as marine biologists, oceanographers, geographers, mapping the seabed or as engineers, developing novel marine renewable energy devices."
Dr Heffernan also hailed the "many opportunities, particularly with a national and EU focus on the potential of the ‘blue economy’ with the Government plan Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth and the European Commission’s Atlantic Strategy.”
The visit included a talk by Helen McCormick of the Fisheries Ecosystem Advisory Services on the work of the Marine Institute, a 'Sea for Society' video showing the importance of our ocean resource, and an exhibition on marine careers and training opportunities, including the institute's own annual bursar programme for third level students.
Staff and scientists demonstrated their work using touchscreen interactive seabed maps, fish samples and even a mini submarine. They answered well thought-out questions on their work in fisheries science, seabed mapping, seafood safety, oceanography, ocean chemistry and research vessel operations.
For more information on the Galway Science & Technology Festival see www.galwayscience.ie or learn about the Marine Institute at www.marine.ie.