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About the school workshops
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 third 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, evolution, pollution, and even human physiology.
Students can interact with
- real fossils
- 3D printed materials
- 2D and 3D puzzles
- real laboratory equipment using UV light
Students work scientifically by
- questioning
- observing
- investigating and experimenting
- analysing - sorting and classifying
- recording and communicating
We currently offer three workshops. Each workshop is approximately 3 hours in duration and comprises multiple interactive activities. Workshops can be delivered individually or as part of a complete series.
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.
Irish Fossils
This workshop comprises three lessons and nine activities that cover what fossils are, how they form, how to identify them, how to use clues in the rocks to learn how fossil animals lived and died, and how scientists study the (unseen) chemical properties of fossils using different tools and methods.
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
- Learn about the various material properties of objects
- Explore how scientists can measure these “unseen” properties
- Discover what these properties can tell us about fossils
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 identify the victim of the Fossil Crime Scene by completing a jigsaw and matching this to the silhouette of a fossil. Students also investigate how the fossil died by examining rock samples and comparing them with various 'clues', e.g. volcanic ash, broken shells, and fossil poo!
Students sort balls of different materials based on their various visible and 'hidden' properties, e.g. magnetic, fluorescent, sink or float. Students will simulate how X-rays are analysed by scientists. Using a box of ping pong balls each painted with a different chemical symbol students have to search the box of balls for the heavy ones and count as many as they can in ten seconds!
Click here for Irish Fossils Lesson Plan
Trace Fossils
This workshop comprises three activities. Students are introduced to the concept of trace fossils, the footprints, tracks and burrows of fossil animals. They experiment with different materials to explore which sediment (sand or mud) best preserves these imprints and explore how these can tell us how ancient animals lived and interacted with their environment.
Learning outcomes
- Learn what trace fossils are and how they form
- Match modern and ancient creatures to their imprints
- Discover how sand and mud preserves imprints of animals
- Discover what preserved footprints can tell us about ancient creatures
Links to curriculum
Science
- Living things – Plant and animal life
- Materials – Properties and characteristics of materials
- Environmental awareness – Science and the environment
Mathematics
- Shape and space – 2D and 3D shapes and symmetry
- Measures – Length
- Data – Representing and interpreting data
Geography
- Natural environments – Rocks and soil
Summary of activities
Students investigate which sediment preserves the best trace of a fossil by pushing a fossil foot into boxes of sand and mud and recording the results. Students explore the famous Valentia Island trackway and investigate what ancient creature made these footprints. Students discover what dinosaurs they walk like by measuring their stride and comparing this to the stride of various dinosaurs.
Click here for Trace Fossils Lesson Plan
Mass Extinctions
This workshop comprises five activities. 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
- Measures – Length
- Data – Representing and interpreting data
Geography
- Natural environments – Rocks and soil
Summary of activities
Students record the numbers and types of fossils in 10 boxes and investigate why the numbers of fossils change in each box. Students estimate the distance that the effects of a meteorite impact would travel across the globe. Students discuss the impacts of various environmental changes on biodiversity by playing our game 'Wheel of Misfortune'.
Click here for Mass Extinctions Lesson Plan
What our workshops do for your pupils
What teachers say about the workshops
What pupils say about the workshops
Teacher Resources
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.
Introduction to Fossils - Slides
Introduction to Fossils - Information Guide
Fossilisation Activity
Guide to Fossilisation 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.
Irish Fossils - Slides
Irish Fossils - Information Guide
Fossil Cross Sections Activity
Guide to Fossil Cross Sections 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.
Trace Fossil - Slides
Trace Fossils - Information Guide
Animal Traces Activity
Guide to Animal Traces Activity
How can I book a workshop?
Get in touch with us via email
Dr Jess Franklin
Senior Engagement Officer
Professor Maria McNamara
Professor of Palaeontology
Dr Panos Sianis
Research Assistant
