Education
Secondary School CoursesSecondary School Courses
Dublin Zoo secondary school programmes offer a range of topics suited to the national curriculum. Get your class out and about in the zoo or why not book a virtual session for some interactive and novel learning experiences.
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Secondary School Courses
Dublin Zoo secondary school programmes offer a range of topics suited to the national curriculum. Get your class out and about in the zoo or why not book a virtual session for some interactive and novel learning experiences.
Conservation ‘Virtual Session’
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.
Ecology - Junior Cycle
With a focus on the habitat study, Junior Cycle students work with Zoo teachers to investigate a habitat, collect, identify and describe animals and plants using specialist ecological equipment. Students then compile a detailed fieldwork report. A state-of-the-art ecology fieldwork report booklet is provided.
Ecology - Leaving Cert
The main focus of the ecology course is the habitat study. Working with Zoo teachers, students map their own habitat, observe pitfall traps, identify and describe animal and plant species and conduct a qualitative and quantitative study. They also record abiotic factors and compile a comprehensive fieldwork report to better understand different ecological concepts. A state-of-the-art ecology fieldwork report booklet is provided.
Evolution
This new module supports learning objectives within the Nature of Science and Biological World strands of the Junior Cycle Science curriculum. Through an interactive lesson, it focuses on the work of key scientists (Mendel, Darwin, Wallace) and how their ideas developed over time. Students visit a replica of Darwin’s study and learn about some of his key discoveries using the state-of-theart education facility: Zoorassic World. Students then investigate the evolution of dinosaurs, birds and reptiles and their adaptations by visiting some of these species within our collection.
Sustainability
This module can be tailored to suit the new CSPE and Science curriculum or Transition Year students. Students are introduced to the concept of sustainability and what it means. They will then discuss global sustainability issues with a focus on the impact on people, animals and habitats. Students actively engage in analysing sustainability from different viewpoints and explore ways in which both communities and individuals can lead more sustainable lifestyles.
Genetics
This module can be delivered as an introduction to genetics or as an add-on to those students who want to study the topic in further detail.
Conservation
Focusing on endangered species within Dublin Zoo, this outdoor module will explore the conservation challenges faced by these species and the conservation work being undertaken to protect them. Students will discover how everyone can play a role in protecting endangered species and will generate ideas about actions they can take at an individual, school or community level.