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YEAR BOOK |
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Where To Discover Science & Engineering
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Discover Science Centres
Centres around Ireland have been selected as Discover Science Centres under the Discover Primary Science initiative. Each centre offers specific programmes designed for the Discover Primary Science initiative, which support the Discover Primary Science Classroom Activity Packs as well as the SESE curriculum.
Participating schools can visit one of these Discover Science Centres and gain credit towards achieving an Award of Science Excellence.
Lismore Heritage Centre, Waterford
Offering a range of opportunities to visiting classes to engage in science. Through exploring and observing a woodland habitat children can learn about their environment in a fun and interactive way. The Robert Boyle Science room introduces the child to the world of science through animated film and practical activities that will make connections with everyday life and increase understanding of how things work.
Contact: Mary Houlihan. Tel: 058 54975
Airfield, Dublin
The Airfield Education Programme provides an indoor classroom to prepare children for outdoor activities. Pupils can study many aspects of the environment through observation, investigation and recording via field studies and exploration trails. The programme which is adapted according to the age and learning abilities of the children partaking is delivered by experienced tutors.
Contact: Marian Rollins. Tel: 01 298 4301
Glenveagh National Park, Donegal
The park is located in the heart of the Derryveagh Mountains, Co. Donegal. This special area exists to conserve our native plants and animals that live within the park and how they interact with each other, explore creatures form the deep, discover the secret world of insects and investigate the plants and animals that make Glenveagh special.
Contact: Tres Connaghan. Tel: 074 913 7090
National Environmental Education Centre, Knocksink, Wicklow
A purpose-built educational facility within the unique setting of a woodland nature reserve, Knocksink Wood. This setting is used as a natural teaching tool with which to discover science with our class. Pupils will learn about natural wonders, their own place in the living world and how they can help to protect it. All pupils will get to carry out hands-on investigative work in this amazing learning environment.
Contact: Michelle Jones. Tel: 01 286 6609
Dublin Zoo
�The Living Classroom� offers a range of activitybased teaching sessions to cater for all primary school classes. The Zoo offers curriculum linked programmes designed to help fuel a child�s imagination, promote an interest in the natural world, and develop an appreciation for the wonders of the world of wildlife.
Contact: Una Smyth. Tel: 01 474 8932
Birr Castle
Birr Castle Demesne offers schools an indoor science centre tour followed by classroom activities and an outdoor environmental tour which allows students to explore the beautiful grounds of Birr Castle.
Contact: Alicia Parsons. Tel: 05791 20336
Fota Wildlife Park
Fota Wildlife Park runs hands-on environmental and conservation workshops which allow children to learn through exploration and discovery. The focus is on woodland ecology in the Discover Science Centre workshops offered.
Contact: Lynda McSweeney. Tel: 021 4812736
Galway Atlantaquaria
The focus at Galway Atlantaquaria is on the interaction between the children and the exhibits. As a Discover Science Centre the Atlantaquaria offers a �Seashore Sensations� workshop which allows students to examine and interact with the array of life found in the inter-tidal zone.
Contact: Neil Campbell. Tel: 091 585100
National Stud and Gardens
The National Stud provides children with the unique environment for learning about the thoroughbred racehorse. The children also follow an environmental trail within the grounds of St. Fiachra�s Garden, exploring the flora and fauna and identifying plants and animals that live in the local habitats.
Contact: Frieda O�Connell. Tel: 045 521617
Killarney National Park Education Centre
The Education Centre offers a wide range of courses based in the beautiful and diverse surroundings of Killarney National Park. The Primary School Nature Day Programme encourages children to learn about their environment in a fun and very �hands-on� interactive way. The activities are primarily woodland based and include pond-dipping, pooters, scavenger hunts, mammal traps and plenty of games.
Contact: Catherine Daly. Tel: 064 35960
W5, Belfast
The exhibits at W5 are designed to provide a unique experience, which will generate questions, stimulate curiosity, increase understanding and make connections to everyday life. As a Discover Science Centre W5 has specially designed �challenge cards� which are used in conjunction with exhibits, adding a greater focus to a visit.
Contact: Emma Beckett. Tel: 0044 289046 7700