Education activities include:
- National project co-ordinator for the development of the PRTLI IV Environment Graduate Programme (EGP). The EGP is a structured PhD programme which aims to improve the quality of both the PhD experience and the resulting doctoral qualification.
- Ongoing development of a taught Masters level course in the area of marine science
- Module faciliation for teacher training programmes such as the Brigit’s Garden Environmental Resource course and others with the Galway Education Centre
- Training for researchers in areas such as project management and schools outreach.
Outreach includes programmes and events targeted at a variety of audiences:
- A number of standard 1 to 1 1/2 hour workshops
- A multi-generational environmental education project on the subject of habitat investigation called the Digital Hedge School (DHS) Project
- Visits to primary schools for subjects not represented by the pre-set workshops are facilitated on an ad-hoc basis
- “Science Experience” tours – working with other research institutes on campus we provide a full-day visit to second-level school groups to some of NUI Galway’s leading science and engineering research laboratories
- A 10-week Environmental Peer Education Training Course for Transition Year students developed as part of the DHS Project
- Visits to secondary school classrooms by Ryan Institute researchers are facilitated on an ad-hoc basis
Third Level:
- Research networking days
- Internal “OPEN YOUR MIND” seminar series for ALL staff (academic, administrative, and technical) and students
- Development of a mentorship programme with St. Angela’s College in Co. Sligo
Community:
- Regular seminars on topics of national and global interest. We have hosted talks not only by NUIG leading researchers, but also by figures of national prominence including the Science Writer Mary Mulvihill and the late Brendan McWilliams (long time Irish Times meteorologist). We will be initiating an annual series which will aim to bring in a figure of major global importance in the area of the Environment.
- Work closely will local community ogranizations to organize and/or support such as the annual Beachwatch litter pick-up event
- Annual institute “open days”
- Dedicated involvement in community events such as the Galway Science and Technology Festival, the Volvo Ocean Race, World Ocean’s Day at the Aquarium, and more.
Industry:
- Annual institute “open days” and research networking events
- Support for industry events with display stands, informations, and talks
- Upcoming event to be organized at the Ryan Institute include an NUI Galway “Science Shop”
