Education Centre, Glendalough: Primary Schools Programme
Our programme for primary schools focuses on Nature Awareness, with several themes on offer to cover all ages and interests. Hopefully there is something for every school. The actual programme listed for each topic may vary slightly, depending on the group’s timetable, the weather, the childrens’ ages, etc. In the event of very WET WEATHER, we are likely to alter the programme considerably, although we will probably do a treasure hunt first. The children should bring a change of clothes. Please read the practicalities on How To Book when trying to plan your day.
Nature For Infants
Age Range: Senior & Junior Infants.
Time of Year: Any, but preferably during the warmer months.
This is a fun day that focuses on introducing the very young to Nature through a series of age-specific activities. A typical Nature For Infants day would be as follows:
- A Scavenger Hunt.
- Looking at plants
- Looking at
- Looking for evidence of Bigger Animals
- Basic food chains
- Drama & other fun activities
Plants In Their Place
Age Group: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, & 4th classes
Time of Year: April to October, when the leaves are on the trees.
Forget house and garden plants - come and explore real native Irish plants growing in one of our National Parks. The Plants In Their Place day can be done as a stand alone day, or as a follow-on to our Not A Weed Outreach programme. A typical Plants In Their Place day would feature the following activities:
- A plant treasure hunt
- A plant slide show
- A plant exploration walk, looking at trees, algae, lichens, flowers, and shrubs, and exploring how plants gather their energy from the sun, what eats plants and how plants fight back.
- Fun activities using blindfolds and other props will help introduce plants to children in a fun way.
- A plant quiz is an optional extra, if time allows.
Bug Safari
Age Range: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, & 4th classes
Time of Year: March to October only; the warmer the weather, the better the bugs!
Bugs are fascinating! The bug world is full of drama, with herbivores and carnivores of all shapes and sizes. It is truly a bug eat bug world out there! The Bug Safari can be done as a stand alone day, or as a follow-on to our Bug Secrets Outreach programme. A typical Bug Safari day would feature the following activities:
- A bug treasure hunt
- A bug slide show
- A bug hunt, exploring the bugs of several habitats, and using nets, pooters, and beating sheets. Bug themed activities also feature.
- A bug quiz.
Wildlife & Wilderness
Age Range: 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th classes
Time of the Year: Any.
Most children know a certain amount about lions & tigers & other foreign wildlife. But many Irish children are unaware of the wildlife in their own country. Do we have beavers in Ireland? How easy is it to see a badger? Do deer eat sheep? This day focuses on our Irish mammals, birds, frogs and lizard. (Although, we may not actually see any on the day!)
The programme for the Wildlife & Wilderness day is as follows:
- A wildlife themed treasure hunt
- Birdwatching (using real binoculars, images of birds in the trees, and a simple bird identification chart)
- A scavenger hunt
- A wildlife safari, looking for tracks & signs of mammals & birds, and exploring their homes and habitats. Why do certain animals live in certain places?
- A wildlife quiz. (If time permits)
- If we are very lucky, we may even spot a wild red squirrel, a deer, or a herd of wild goats. (But no promises!)
Habitats Day
Age Range: 5th & 6th classes
Time of the Year: Any
The valley of Glendalough contains many wonderful habitats - evergreen and deciduous woodlands, grasslands, rivers, lakes, bogs and heaths, and more. This Habitats Day is designed for 5th and 6th classes. It uses a simple worksheet, and teachers will be expected to photocopy a worksheet for each child. A typical Habitats Day is as follows:
- A habitats themed treasure hunt
- A habitats slide show
- A habitats study with a worksheet and fun activities
- A habitats debate
Take A Hike
Age Range: 5th & 6th classes
Time of the Year: Any
Some of the older children benefit from a total day out, away from any serious work. A hike around Glendalough can be a great way to explore nature.
We also introduce the children to Leave No Trace. Leave No Trace is a new outdoor ethics programme that has recently arrived in Ireland from the USA. Unlike the old Countryside Code, Leave No Trace does not consist of a series of do or don’t rules, but rather appeals to peoples’ own ethics to help look after their own surroundings. Leave No Trace concerns itself with ALL outdoor users, whether serious outdoor pursuits enthusiasts or school children playing outside.
For the hike, the children are divided into small groups and taken to explore - sometimes up a steep hill to admire a fabulous view, sometimes along the flat to explore ancient ruins. Anything of interest along the way is discussed with the Guide. The walk is likely to stay on track, but if the children are suitably equipped the walk may venture off track. The children should dress for inclement weather.
A typical Take A Hike Day is as follows:
- A Leave No Trace treasure hunt
- A walk to explore Glendalough and to discuss the seven principles of Leave No Trace
- A Leave No Trace quiz (if time allows)
Nature Awareness Day
Age Range: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, & 4th classes
Time of Year: Any
This is our original programme. The children are encouraged to explore nature using a variety of fun activities that make full use of the five senses. A typical Nature Awareness day would be as follows:
- A treasure hunt
- A scavenger hunt
- A nature walk full of fun activities.