Education Programme for Schools
This exhibition includes an area where the public can touch and examine in detail six special objects from the Museum’s collection; an elephants tusk, an elephants lower jaw, a white rhino skull, a piece of the Giant’s Causeway, a trace fossil and an ammonite.
The exhibition also includes a Resource Area, which contains books on natural history topics and which the public can use to read more about topics relating to objects in the exhibition. There are also two computers, which allow access to information about Natural History, Museums, and the environment.
An activity booklet My Favourite Animal is available in Irish and in English. Copies are available in the entrance area into the Museum or you can download a copy here:
Skull-duggery! School Workshops
The workshop is aimed at the Primary School age group. The usual duration of the entire workshop is one hour, split into two 30-minute sessions firstly in the exhibition space, and then in the Discovery Den with the handling items.
Objective and methods
The workshop aims to teach participants the difference in anatomies of carnivores, herbivores and omnivores. Participants will learn that skulls tell us countless things about animals. By examination and through question and discussion they will discover that the shape and position of eyes, jaws and teeth are ‘clues’ that help us learn more about an animal’s lifestyle and habitat. They can learn whether an animal is a predator or prey and which senses are most important to it. In the Discovery Den participants are divided into four small groups. They are then asked to examine a ‘mystery’ skull each, and identify it from the knowledge they have gained in the first part of the session. In addition to increasing participants’ knowledge, the workshop aims to develop skills such as discussion, observation, reasoning and deduction.
Handling Objects used
Skulls:
Carnivores: Common dolphin, Lion, Pilot Whale.
Herbivores: Sika Deer.
Omnivores: Brown Bear
Teeth: Elephant tooth, Rhino teeth
Capacity
A maximum of 15 participants can be accommodated at each hour-long workshop.
Dates and Time slots
Please consult the bookings office to reserve this workshop.
Programmes for Schools
Download a booklet with details of the programmes for Schools in the Dead Zoo exhibition:
The Dead Zoo Programmes for Schools Spring 2010 The Dead Zoo Programmes for Schools Spring 2010.pdf (0.79 MB, Adobe PDF)