Bringing Blue Education to Life in Ireland
BlueLightS is a Horizon Europe project dedicated to empowering children and young people with the skills to safeguard our rivers, seas, and oceans.
Bringing together nine European countries to advance Blue Education, this initiative is rooted in the EU’s “Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030” mission to deliver aquatic sustainability directly into classrooms.
As Ireland’s official BlueLightS experimentation partner, Camden Education Trust is advancing Blue Education nationwide.
Through the Blue Challenge and collaborative projects, we equip teachers and students with practical resources, expert mentoring and opportunities to become part of the growing EU Blue Schools network.
We collaborate with teachers, Education Support Centres, government bodies, and environmental experts to embed Blue Education in to the national curriculum.
Supported by our associated partner, the Irish Ocean Literacy Network, we ensure Irish schools are connected, supported, and leading the way in marine sustainability.
Lighting the Way in Ireland
The official launch of BlueLightS spearheaded the first rollout of the EU Blue Challenge initiative across Irish schools, while formally introducing joint Innovative School projects and resources created in collaboration with the Marine Institute’s Explorers Education Programme.
The launch event was opened by MEP Maria Walsh, who highlighted the role of education in empowering young people to become the next generation of environmental changemakers.
The Explorers / BlueLightS innovative projects give schools a valuable opportunity to strengthen design, communication and creative skills while integrating climate topics into the curriculum and sharing practical solutions with their wider community.“
Maria Walsh
Member of the European Parliament from Ireland for the Midlands–North-West constituency
Make Waves
with the Blue Challenge!
BlueLightS funds schools through calls to launch blue projects and bring the blue into classrooms, with the aim of enhancing ocean and water literacy.
By starting a blue project in your school, you will not only help your students gain a deeper understanding of aquatic environments; you can also join the Network of European Blue Schools and earn the prestigious European Blue School label!
Blue Challenge Stories from Ireland…
1. Brittas Bay Mixed National School
Wicklow, 2025
A whole-school journey combining ocean science, creativity and community action to help children see the ocean as an essential part of everyday life.
The Question
Why is the ocean vital to the survival of our planet?
The Ripple Effect
Leading beach clean-ups and local environmental campaigns. Combining science, art and citizen action to engage families, artists and public leaders.
Demonstrating how ocean literacy can drive real community change.
The Accolades
National Winner – 2025 Explorers Ocean Champions Awards
Regional Green-Schools Biodiversity School of the Year (2024–2025)
Featured at ESB Science Blast for phytoplankton and STEM research.
2. Kilglass National School
Galway, 2025
Students immersed themselves in hands-on learning along local rivers and the seashore, using poetry, visual arts and STEM to explore ocean literacy, sustainability and the links between SDG 6 (Clean Water) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water).
The Question
How can poetry, art and outdoor learning inspire a deeper connection with our rivers and ocean?
The Ripple Effect
Reconnecting with their local rivers and coastal environments.
Meeting the seashore for the first time through meaningful outdoor learning.
Designing practical climate and sustainability solutions rooted in local heritage and place.
The Accolades
Category Winner (Marine & SDGs) – 2025 Explorers Ocean Champions Awards
ESB Science Blast participant
Green-Schools Flag successfully renewed
3. Kinaffe National School
Mayo, 2026
Students explored the journey from river to ocean through hands-on sustainability projects, working alongside teachers and local partners to investigate water literacy, circular economy principles and the role of communities in protecting blue environments.
The Question
How can children in Ireland and Spain learn from each other to protect our shared water resources?
The Ripple Effect
Connected two island communities through a shared commitment to water sustainability. Broadened students’ global perspectives through cross-cultural collaboration and inquiry. Inspired local environmental action while strengthening links between science, creativity and citizenship.
The Accolades
Green-Schools Daily Swaps Challenge winner
Breeding Waders Flag recipient
DCU Changemaker Schools Network member
Blue Star Flag recipient
ESB Science Blast participant
4. Coláiste Éinde
(St. Enda’s College)
Galway, 2026
Students collaborated with a partner school in Spain to compare waterways, exchange ideas on water stewardship and explore the connections between local rivers, the ocean and everyday life through STEM, creativity and environmental action.
The Question
How can young people strengthen their connection with Galway’s rivers, coastline and ocean?
The Ripple Effect
Connected classroom learning with real-world environmental action across Galway.
Fostered collaboration between students, teachers and local organisations.
Inspired young people to become active ambassadors for sustainable living and ocean stewardship.
The Accolades
Showcased innovative Blue Education practices through collaborative community initiatives.
Promoted water literacy and circular economy principles through student-led projects and public engagement.
Building Ireland’s Blue Education Network
Together, we are building Ireland’s Blue Education community. Working with educators, schools, outreach facilitators and national partners, we support professional learning, grow the EU Blue Schools network and connect Irish schools with other BlueLightS initiatives.
Teacher Professional Development
We equip teachers with the resources, mentoring and innovative projects they need to bring Blue Education into the classroom. Through curriculum-linked, hands-on learning, educators gain the confidence to inspire creativity, inquiry and environmental action across all subjects.
Supporting Outreach Excellence
Through workshops, webinars and field-based learning, we strengthen the skills of outreach teams and educators, helping them deliver engaging Blue Education experiences across preschool, primary and secondary schools.
Beyond the Classroom
We collaborate with our BlueLightS partners, EU4Ocean and Irish co-creators through local and international events that promote Blue Education, share best practice and help shape its future across Ireland. Ongoing evaluation ensures the programme continues to grow and respond to the needs of educators and schools.
By providing teachers, outreach teams and collaborating with key stakeholders we have developed real-life marine examples and resources that align with the new primary school curriculum and the secondary school climate change subject. BlueLightS helps build a foundation for a generation committed to addressing the impacts of climate change and environmental sustainability.”“
Bernard Kirk
CEO, The Camden Education Trust
Building the BlueLightS Knowledge Hub
Together with educators, outreach partners, environmental experts, artists and the Marine Institute, we co-create innovative resources that help bring Blue Education to life in classrooms across Ireland.
Climate Change Superheroes – Creating Solutions
Developed in partnership with the Marine Institute as part of the Explorers Education Programme and BlueLightS, this flagship project module empowers teachers and students to explore climate change through scientific inquiry, creativity and collaborative problem-solving.
Through engaging lessons and project-based activities, children discover the connections between climate, rivers, lakes, the ocean and their own communities – inspiring practical environmental action and future-focused thinking.
The Marine Institute have been working with primary schools for nearly 20 years through the Explorers Education Programme and we welcome the opportunity to support the BlueLightS project with the development of the Explorers Climate Change modules”. (…) It helps us engage with communities and improve our understanding of our impact on the ocean – and to understand how the ocean impacts our lives.”
Patricia Orme
Director of Corporate Services
The Marine Institute of Ireland
