Budding Marine Biologists

Barryroe National School seniors with their paper mache Basking Shark

Showing the drone

One of the children from the local school shared my Basking Shark videos so they asked me to visit

I was amazed to meet 'Basky' a paper mache model facilitated by Deirdre Sexton (pictured above). The class were fascinated as I shared the story and videos of the unprecedented numbers of Basking Sharks visiting our local coastline here in West Cork this May.

So on the 6th of June I was welcomed to the class of Senior Infants (5-7 year olds) at Barryroe National School.

Basking Sharks, Dolphins and Whales

We covered the equipment I use for making the videos including the mini underwater camera (GoPro) and drone (DJI Mini 4 Pro)

Sharks, Dolphins and Whales

The children were also introduced to the variety of dolphins and whales that regularly visit us here.

We also found out about the work of the IWDG (Irish Whale and Dolphin Group) specifically responding to live strandings of dolphins.

Song

We also learned a song about the encounter with Basking Sharks from my kayak.

Sitting on the sea
Not too far from shore
Big fins turn to me
Not too sure what for
Big mouths open wide
swishing with their tails
it is a shiver of gentle giant Basking Sharks

A 'shiver' is the collective noun for sharks.

Drone Demonstration

One of the children requested that I demonstrate the drone in the classroom. I said that it would be safer to be outdoors so we asked múinteoir Ina if the class could go outside.