Today, Minister of Education & Science, Batt O'Keeffe TD was taught a lesson about the marine environment by some boys from Willow Park School in Dublin to launch the HB Ocean Adventure Schools Programme 2008-2009.

This exciting educational programme is based around the Volvo Ocean Race Galway Stopover 2009 and the Green Dragon Team. It is a structured learning programme, which introduces school children to the following areas of learning associated with the sport of sailing.

• Introduce students to the areas of learning associated with the 'marine world' including the sport of sailing, climate, technology, geography, history and the marine environment.
• Help students understand and appreciate the development of marine tourism activities in Ireland.
• Introduce students to the range of options available for careers in the marine industry.

 

'Top Irish sailors Damian Foxall and Justin Slattery who are both currently onboard Green Dragon off the coast of Africa competing in the first leg of the Volvo Ocean Race have both stated that 20 years ago NCB Ireland in the Whitbread Race was their inspiration.' stated Enda O'Coineen, Chairman of Let's Do It Global who are the organisers of Green Dragon and the Galway stopover of the Volvo Ocean Race (23 May - 06 June 2009). 'We have developed this programme to create a similar legacy'. 

 

At today's launch which took place at Poolbeg Yacht & Boat Club, Minister O'Keeffe said 'as an island nation we need to maximise maritime opportunities and this programme offers students an opportunity to learn from an early age specific areas such as climate, technology and geography.  It is fantastic for our youth to have the inspiration of a world class team to follow and to learn as they sail around the world'.

 

The primary delivery mechanism for the programme will be through an interactive website www.letsdoitschools.com  which will be supplemented by supporting material and culminates in an action packed visit to the Galway Stopover and an opportunity to try sailing. Participants will have the opportunity to follow the race by subscribing to a variety of podcasts and newsfeeds, follow the crew, receive news updates, become a virtual spectator of 'life on board' and weather systems. 

 

The schools programme is aimed at teachers, parents and students in primary and secondary schools throughout Ireland. Sailing club junior members and youth clubs throughout the country are also encouraged to sign up online at www.letsdoitschools.com and get involved in this exciting ocean adventure educational programme.

 

The Ocean Adventure Schools Programme 2008-2009 is sponsored by HB, Irish Independent and Volvo Cars Ireland.

 

The schools programme was originally prepared for the Irish schools system but interest has been expressed from schools as far away as the UK, China and USA.

 

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Further details from:

Fiona Bolger

Communications Director

Let's Do It Global

hcbmarketing@gmail.com

00353 86 8211030

 

Editor's Notes

 

Let's Do It Global

Let's do it Global is the organisation that was set up following the successful bid for Galway to host a stopover in the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09 which was supported by Failte Ireland. It is a condition of the stopover that Let's do it Global enters a team in the race. The Ocean Adventure Schools programme is the legacy element of the project

www.letsdoitschools.com

www.greendragonracing.com

www.letsdoitgalway.com