Secondary School Programmes

Real-World Science: Where Curriculum Meets Conservation

Elevate your Junior and Senior Cycle teaching by bringing your class to the ultimate field study location.

Our Conservation Education Team delivers specialised, curriculum-aligned programmes in key subjects like Ecology, Applied Genetics, and Sustainability.

We provide students with hands-on fieldwork, cutting-edge topics, and inspiring connections to the national curriculum, equipping them with the knowledge needed for both exam success and future conservation careers.

Please note: Prices valid from September 2025-August 2026.

Explore the full details and booking information for all our courses below!

Discover all our secondary school courses

Junior Cycle students work with experienced Zoo facilitators to investigate a woodland/grassland habitat.

They will collect, identify and describe animals and plants using specialist ecology equipment and compile a detailed fieldwork report. Students will also learn about actions that can be taken to protect habitats. A bespoke ecology fieldwork report booklet is provided.

CIRRICULUM LINKS

Junior Cert Science:
Strand Five: Biological World
Element: Systems and Interactions
Conduct a habitat study; research and investigate the adaptation, competition and interdependence of organisms within specific habitats and communities
Element: Sustainability
Evaluate how humans can successfully conserve ecological biodiversity and contribute to global food production; appreciate the benefits that people obtain from ecosystems.

DETAILS

Duration: 2 hours
Price: €17 per student

Working with Zoo teachers, students will investigate a woodland/grassland habitat. They will collect, identify and describe animals and plants using specialist ecology equipment and conduct a qualitative and quantitative study in grassland/woodland habitats.

They then record abiotic factors along a line transect and compile a comprehensive fieldwork report. Students will also learn about actions that can be taken to protect habitats. A state-of-the-art ecology fieldwork report booklet is provided.

CIRRICULUM LINKS

Leaving Cert Biology:
Unit 1: Biology – The Study of Life
1.4 General Principles of Ecology
1.5 A Study of an Ecosystem

DETAILS

Duration: 2.5 – 3 hours
Price: €19.50 per student

This interactive session is designed to support classroom learning on evolution, by delving into topics such as variation, mutations and natural selection.

Students will work together to explore these concepts using the state-of-the-art education facility, Zoorassic World. They will also investigate the evolution of dinosaurs, birds and reptiles by visiting some of these species at Dublin Zoo.

CIRRICULUM LINKS

Junior Cycle Science:
Strand One: Nature of Science
Element: Understanding about Science
Strand Five: Biological World
Element: Building blocks
Leaving Cert Biology:
Unit 2: The Cell
2.5 Genetics

DETAILS

Suitable for Junior Cycle, TY, Senior Cycle
Duration: 75 minutes
Price: €15.50 per student

In this module, students will actively engage in examining an important sustainability issue and its impact on wildlife. Linked to SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, students will evaluate consumer choices in terms of their impact on the environment and identify realistic ways they can purchase and consume more responsibly to protect wildlife.

The module will conclude with a visit to an endangered species to learn about the challenges they face and what we can all do to help.

CIRRICULUM LINKS

Junior Cycle Science:
Strand Two: Earth and Space
Element: Sustainability
Strand Three: Chemical World
Element: Sustainability
Strand Five: Biological World
Element: Sustainability
Junior Cycle Home Economics:
Strand One: Food, health and culinary skills
Element: Sustainable and responsible living
Strand Two: Responsible family living
Element: Sustainable and responsible living
Strand Three: Textiles and craft
Element: Sustainable and responsible living
Junior Cycle Geography:
Strand Two: Exploring How we Interact with the Physical World
Leaving Certificate Biology:
Unit 1: Biology – The Study of Life
1.4.9 Human Impact on an Ecosystem

DETAILS

Suitable for Junior Cycle, TY, Senior Cycle
Duration: 80 minutes
Price: €15.50 per student

Dublin Zoo’s new Applied Genetics programme for Senior Cycle will provide your students with an opportunity to see how some of the genetic concepts they have studied in class can be applied to conservation work, both in zoos and in the wild.
This workshop focuses on the application of three components from the Leaving Certificate Genetics curriculum – genetic inheritance, DNA profiling, and sex linkage using fun, interactive activities for students in a classroom setting, followed by a visit to one of our animal habitats. This workshop is intended for students who have already studied these concepts in class.
CIRRICULUM LINKS
Leaving Cert Biology:
Unit 2: The Cell
2.5 Genetics

DETAILS

Suitable for Senior Cycle
Duration: 2 hours
Price: €17 per student

Dublin Zoo’s new Introduction to Genetics programme for Transition Year will provide your students with an introduction to several genetics’ concepts through the lens of wildlife and conservation.

These concepts are explored through fun, interactive activities for students in a classroom setting, followed by a visit to one of our animal habitats.

CIRRICULUM LINKS

Junior Cycle Science:
Strand One: Nature of Science
Element: Understanding about Science
Strand Five: Biological World
Element: Building blocks

DETAILS

Suitable for TY
Duration: 90 minutes
Price: €17 per student

This outdoor module explores the main threats facing endangered species and the conservation work being undertaken to protect them.

Students will learn about some important concepts relating to wildlife conservation and will generate ideas about how they can play a role in protecting endangered species. This programme involves a visit to 3-4 species at Dublin Zoo.

CIRRICULUM LINKS

Junior Cycle Science:
Strand Five: Biological World
Element: Sustainability
Junior Cycle Home Economics:
Strand Two: Responsible family living
Element: Sustainable and responsible living
Junior Cycle Geography:
Strand Two: Exploring How we Interact with the Physical World
Leaving Certificate Biology:
Unit 1: Biology – The Study of Life
1.4.9 Human Impact on an Ecosystem

DETAILS

Suitable for Junior Cycle, TY, Senior Cycle
Duration: 60 minutes
Price: €15 per student

Have your students ever wanted to design a habitat at Dublin Zoo? Well, now’s their chance! On this programme, students will learn about the many considerations that go into designing suitable habitats for wildlife using real-life examples from Dublin Zoo.

They will then work in teams to design an animal habitat using their new knowledge.

CIRRICULUM LINKS

Junior Cycle Science:
Strand Five: Biological World
Element: Building blocks
Element: Sustainability

DETAILS

Suitable for Junior Cycle and TY
Duration: 90 minutes
Price: €16.50 per student

This virtual interactive workshop will look at the threats species face in the wild and the role of zoos in conservation.

Focusing on species in Dublin Zoo, the group will discuss the conservation challenges faced by these species, and the actions they can take to help protect endangered species both locally and globally.

Want to learn more?
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Courses Designed
to Inspire the Next Generation

From hands-on, curriculum-aligned courses and workshops, to exciting on site educational tours, we empower students and teachers with the knowledge to drive real conservation change. Explore our dynamic learning opportunities tailored for every age group and educational goal.

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