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We offer a range of free interactive fossil workshops for primary and secondary school students delivered in person by scientists from the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences based at University College Cork.
Our workshops are suitable for primary classes from fourth class through to sixth class, and for secondary school Junior and Senior Cycle students. The workshop content is adapted to suit each age group.
The fossil workshops are directly linked to a variety of STEM subjects such as science and mathematics and link to important topics on the STEM curriculum such as climate change, biodiversity, animal behaviour and evolution.
Students work scientifically by
questioning
observing
investigating and experimenting
analysing - sorting and classifying
recording and communicating
We have also developed a range of resources for you to try in your classroom check them out below!
The workshops include interaction with a collection of real Irish fossils on loan from the Education & Outreach Department, National Museum of Ireland.
This workshop teaches students what fossils are, how they form, how to identify them and how to use clues in the rocks to learn how fossil animals lived and died.
Learning outcomes
Learn what fossils are and how they form
Match cross-sections of fossils with handout images of fossils
Observe and handle real fossils and 3D-printed fossils
Discover how different fossils lived
Learn where in Ireland we find fossils
Learn about Ireland’s ancient environments
Links to curriculum
Science
Living things – Plants and animal life
Materials - Properties and characteristics of materials
Energy and forces – Light, magnetism and electricity
Environmental awareness - Science and the environment
Mathematics
Shape and space – 2D and 3D shapes and symmetry
Data – Representing and interpreting data
Geography
Natural environments – Rocks and soil
Summary of activities
Students examine 3D blocks with fossil cross-sections and match them with images of fossils. Students also explore the mode of life of ancient creatures to figure out if the fossils swam, stuck or slithered in their environments.
Students investigate how fossils died by examining rock samples and comparing them with various 'clues'.
In this workshop students learn how rocks record environmental changes long ago. They also explore the effects these changes have on biodiversity through time by taking part in our exciting fossil gameshow, Wheel of Misfortune!
Learning outcomes
Learn how rocks record environmental change through time
Learn that fossils record biodiversity changes through time
Explore the effects of both local and global environmental changes
Discover how species adapt to environmental changes
Links to curriculum
Science
Living things – Plant and animal life
Environmental awareness – Science and the environment
Mathematics
Data – Representing and interpreting data
Geography
Natural environments – Rocks and soil
Summary of activities
Students record the numbers and types of fossils in 5 boxes and investigate why the numbers of fossils change in each box. Students discuss the impacts of various environmental changes on biodiversity by playing our game 'Wheel of Misfortune'.
We have developed a range of teaching resources for you to use in your classroom including presentation slides, information guides to the presentations, activities and coming soon educational videos. Please select a topic below to view the resources available.
This lesson will introduce the students to what fossils are, how they form, how old they are and where you can find them. Click on the links below to download PDF slides and an information guide to the slides. There is also an activity to go with this lesson and a guide to the activity.
This lesson will introduce pupils to some common Irish fossils and discuss the environment they lived in millions of years ago. Click on the links below to download PDF slides and an information guide to the slides. There is also an activity to go with this lesson and a guide to the activity.
This lesson will introduce pupils to trace fossils - the footprints, tracks and burrows of fossil animals. The lesson will explore how these can tell us how ancient animals lived and interacted with their environment. Click on the links below to download PDF slides and an information guide to the slides. There is also an activity to go with this lesson and a guide to the activity.
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