Explore extinct Irish animals at the museum from the comfort of the classroom.
Using a series of short curriculum-linked videos, your class will be introduced to the topic of extinction and meet some of the most special museum specimens, which have one thing in common – they are extinct! Detailed teacher’s notes with suggested lesson plan and accompanying classroom activities are provided and can be used to complement the learning outcomes.
Activity at a Glance:
Level: 3rd to 6th Class
Format: Classroom activity - resources to be used within the classroom
Duration: 30 + mins
Availability: Online and self-guided
Teacher's Notes and Resources:
Download teachers notes and lesson plan here
Link to the video resource playlist for this Classroom Activity here.
Welcome to the National Museum of Ireland – Natural History (1 min 48 sec); What Does “Extinct” Mean? (1 min 07 sec); Giant Irish Deer (1 min 39 sec); Hyena (1 min 17 sec); Wolf (3 min 27 sec). Total: 9 min 18 sec.
Link to the 3D Virtual Visit of the Museum galleries here
Curriculum links:
SESE Science:
Investigating and experimenting
- Collect information and data from a variety of sources
Living things
- Human life; Plant and animal life
Environmental awareness and care
- Environmental awareness; Science and the environment; Caring for the environment
Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this classroom activity pupils should be able to:
- Describe the meaning of “extinct” and recognise examples of different extinctions throughout the Earth’s history.
- Describe animal extinctions specific to Ireland in the distant past and more recent past e.g. cases studies of Giant Irish Deer and Wolf
- Describe “extinction” versus “local extinction”.
- Describe the role of conservation and identify how animals can be re-introduced into a habitat, and describe the pros and cons e.g. re-introduction programme example of Wolves in Yellowstone, USA versus Ireland.