Activities available for Schools

 

Click on a programme below or scroll down:

Primary Schools Programme

 

The Killarney National Park Education Centre is ideally located in The Knockreer Demesne. It is close to Killarney town and also within easy reach of a variety of habitats for a class to explore! Knockreer House provides the perfect location for primary level nature study with its safe environment, teaching laborataries and other facilities as well as the picturesque views of the lakes and mountains of the National Park.

The Education Centre is a designated Discover Primary Science Centre; a visit to us helps achieve your “Award of Excellence in Science” under the DPS scheme. To find out more about Discover Primary Science visit www.primaryscience.ie

 

Programmes available include:

Primary School Nature Day
The class will visit the National Park and will participate in a wide range of nature activities which are all linked to SESE. They can investigate habitats and wildlife at first hand, use mammal traps, microscopes and pooters do pond-dipping, scavenger hunts and experiments and, if they are lucky see some of the wild animals of Irelands premier National Park.

The aim of the day is to encourage the student to explore the natural world around them and to introduce basic ecological and environmental concepts. We will also look at predator-prey relationships, food-chains and how creatures adapt to living in their environment. The activities are designed to suit all age groups and workbooks can be provided.

Visit http://www.primaryscience.ie/ds_centres_infos.php?id=7 to see a clip of film showing Freemount National School, from Co. Cork enjoying their day at the Centre.

 

 

The precise timing for the day is flexible to allow for travelling time etc. (Cork and Limerick are within convenient travelling distance for day trips). A typical session lasts from approximately 10.30am-2.30pm

For Information please note that:

 

For telephone bookings please have the following information ready:

Visit to the School

As an alternative to a full visit to the National Park, one of our staff can visit your school to present an interactive nature session. This will include a powerpoint presentation about on a topic of Irish nature. The presentations which are available include one on the importance of Trees, Irish Mammals, Birds, Bats and Flowers. These can be booked under “The Heritage in Schools” scheme.

 

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Post-Primary Schools Programmes

 

"The students are still talking about how much they enjoyed it, and of course the great thing was that they were learning so much while they were having fun. Ecology is becoming a more and more important part of the leaving certificate syllabus, so to be able to cover the fieldwork so comprehensively in one day is invaluable."

Anna Walsh, Sutton Park School.

 

A complete range of fully guided field studies courses is available for post-primary schools visiting Killarney National Park. All courses fulfil curricula requirments and are designed to allow the student to practice a variety of field techniques.  Key concepts of ecology and geography are dealt with in depth.

Courses are available all year round and generally run from approximately 10.30am-2.30pm each day, although times can be adjusted to suit your school. Cork and Limerick are conveniently within range for day trips, and hostel accommodation is available should you wish to stay for longer.

 

Examples of courses on offer include:

Leaving Cert - Habitat Study

A detailed study of a localised sandstone/limestone transition is made to examine the influence over vegetation type. Transects and quadrats are used to assess the effect of shade on ground plants (including measurement of relative humidity, light intensity, soil depth, soil pH etc.). Also Longworth small mammal traps (which have been left out overnight) will be checked, any captured animals will be examined and released, and a full explanation of capture/recapture technique will be made. A study of invertebrates is carried out using a variety of capture methods (pooter, beating trays and sweep nets) 

 

 

Leaving Cert - Geography Fieldwork

This day is structured specifically to leave the student well prepared to answer the fieldwork question in the Leaving Certificate examination. It involves the mapping (and further study, including soil testing etc.) of an area of limestone bedrock overlain by morainic sandstone and the survey and plotting of a profile of a typical limestone 'reef'.

Leaving Cert - The Glaciation Study

involves the mapping (and further study, including soil testing etc.) of an area of limestone bedrock overlain by morainic sandstone and the survey and plotting of a profile of a typical limestone 'reef'.

Leaving Cert - The River Study

involves carrying out a number of tasks at the lower stage and the upper stage of the Owengarriff river and comparing the two sites. These tasks include velocity, hydraulic radius, wetted perimeter, bedload size, river profile and sinuosity.  A biological assessment of water quality can be carried out also, if required.

 

Transition Year National Park Management Day

This day takes the form of an audio-visual show followed by a guided walk, during which time the group will have many opportunities to see and understand the dilemmas which must be confronted for the effective land management of an area such as a National Park. The day is intended to stimulate discussion and debate amongst the students, and formal fieldwork exercises do not form part of the day, but can be included if desired.

 

Transition Year Habitat Study

The students will examine one habitat in depth by using a range of field techniques. Habitats available include bogland, woodland and freshwater.

Transition Year – Ecology Orienteering

For many teenage groups our 'ecology orienteering' activity has consistently proved to be a popular option. It takes the form of a scavenger hunt during which time the participants (working in pairs) will accumulate points by correctly identifying and collecting a number of plants and animals.  The highest scoring pair will win a prize. At the end of the session the importance of conservation and the role that National Parks play is discussed with the group.

Transition Year/Junior Certificate - Glaciation Study

This trip through Killarney's lakes by traditional boat and through the Gap of Dunloe by foot forms an ideal study tour for all aspects of the geology and glacial geography of the area (cost of boat trip extra).

 

Junior Certificate Ecology Day

We use several different fieldwork techniques to examine a woodland habitat and the associated flora and fauna. In doing so, core concepts of ecology are introduced and illustrated. A typical day will include the use of quadrats, transects, pooters, beating trays, Longworth small mammal traps, measurement of environmental factors etc..

Introduction to Ecology

This course deals with simple ecological concepts and techniques as well as introducing the student to several different Irish habitats. It is aimed at students in their first or second year of secondary education whose experience of ecology and habitats is limited.

For Information please note that:

For telephone bookings please have the following information ready:

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Third Level Groups

For University and College groups studying the natural sciences or conservation management, one would have to go a long way to find a more suitable location than Killarney National Park for a field trip.

Third Level Students attend course

The highly varied ecology of the area makes it ideal for botanical/zoological studies whilst the striking geology of the area adds a further dimension to fieldwork. The National Park itself is a classic case study of the need for and practice of environmental management. Interesting aspects include deer management, control of exotic species, management of visitor numbers, water quality etc..

Hostel accommodation is available for groups visiting the Park for educational purposes, and our staff are available if required to talk to your group about the ecology of, and management issues within Killarney National Park.

There are also many other potential study sites and tours within convenient minibus distance of Killarney for day trips. Add to this the magnificent scenery, coastline and mountains of the area and the great night-life of Killarney itself and it becomes clear why Killarney has long been a popular destination for Irish, UK and European college field trips.

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Youth Groups

 

"I want especially to have the young people come to Muckross to trail those mountains and to enjoy nature in all its aspects. I hope that Muckross will be made a real garden of friendship…"

Arthur Vincent, 1876-1956, Senator and Donor of the Bourn Vincent Memorial Park.

 

 

Many youth groups (such as scouts and guides, youth clubs, etc.) visit Killarney National Park each year to experience for themselves the nature and magnificent scenery for which Killarney is renowned. Killarney National Park Education Centre provides youth programmes all year round for visiting groups.

Groups can stay in our hostel for a weekend, week or longer, and avail of the wide range of activities which are provided by us. Activities may last from 2 hours for an individual session to a fully packed week long programme.

 

 

One of our most popular formats is the Discovery Weekend, which is aimed at the 8-14 year old age group. The visiting group will stay in Arthur Vincent House for the weekend and will participate in fully guided nature activities throughout their stay, such as live capture and release of small mammals, scavenger hunts, food chain games, quizzes, pond dipping, moth trapping, use of microscopes etc.. A video recording can also be made of the weekend, which will be copied for the group to take away with them. The main aim of the Discovery Weekend is for the participant to learn about nature and ecology whilst having a lot of fun!!

If you do not require a full programme of activities throughout your stay it is possible to customise sessions to suit your needs. In addition to the activities mentioned above, many different options are available to suit various age groups, including hikes etc..

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Teacher & Educator training

We also run a number of in-service training courses for teachers.

Exciting Ways to Teach Nature & Science

This course is approved by the Department of Education. 

"Exciting Ways to Teach Nature & Science" is primarily outdoor-based, and is intended to enlighten the participants as to the basics of ecology, to experiment with various nature activities and to explore a variety of habitats which can be used for nature study. On completing the course the participant should have a broad knowledge of the natural world and a wealth of stimulating ideas for nature study sessions for children. 

The course is based entirely within Killarney National Park and is run by the Killarney National Park Education Centre, which specialises in outdoor nature study. Staff are experienced tutors and ecologists. Each day comprises a brief indoor workshop followed by an outdoor field visit - total course time 4 hours per day. Each day's activities are finished by 2.00pm, so you'll have plenty of free time to explore Killarney and its environs. 

The course is non-residential, although Killarney, as one might expect, has a wealth of accommodation to suit all budgets!  For information on accommodation it is suggested that you might contact the Killarney Tourist information Office on 064 6631633 or email info@corkkerrytourism.ie  

Participants may be required to drive short distances to the locations of field sessions, so a car would be an advantage, but not essential as we can put you in touch with drivers with space. Registration takes place on the first day at Knockreer House but booking a place is essential as spaces are limited.

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Discover Primary Science Award

Apply for an Award of Science logo

Killarney National Park Education Centre has been a designated Discover Science Centre since 2004. The activities included in the Primary School Nature Day support the SESE curriculum and have been vetted by DPS.

A visit to a Discover Centre is one of the criteria for schools wishing to achieve an Award in Science Excellence.

For information on Discover Primary Science & Awards in Science, Go to the official website below or call us and we can fill you in.

 www.primaryscience.ie

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Summer & Easter Camps

 

 

 

Killarney National Park Education Centre has been running Environmental Summer Camps for 7 to 12 year olds since 2006.  The summer camps will run during the months of July and August and there will also be an Easter camp during the Easter holidays.  Each camp is four days long and runs from 9.30 in the morning to 3.00 in the afternoon each day. 

The children who take part get to experience nature close up and learn about some of the plants animals of Killarney National Park. The children study the animals and plants using mammal traps, pooter, nets and other equipment and explore the ecology of the park through many games and fun activities such as scavenger hunts, doing the “un-nature trail, the bat and moth game, treasure hunts, pond dipping, and planting trees.   

The children also get to make a number of things to bring home such as bird nesting boxes, bat roosting boxes, wormeries, bug houses and other “crafty” items

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Killarney National Park Education Centre, Knockreer House, Killarney, Co. Kerry - Phone/Fax +353 64 6635960