What fossil bones were discovered in an Irish cave over one hundred years ago? What secrets of the past and present are held in the collections and why are they important for the future? Discover tales of the Dead Zoo during a live virtual session, led by a Museum Educator and streamed straight to your classroom.
Virtual session at a glance
Level: 3rd to 6th Class
Duration: 45 mins - 1 hour
Capacity: One class per session
Availability: Tuesdays and Thursdays in Janurary, February, March and April 2025.
Times: 10am & 11.30am
Booking: To enquire about this free online facilitated session for your class please complete this enquiry form.
Description: Short videos of extinct museum animals are combined with a live presented introduction, storytelling, Q&A, and virtual close-up inspection of educational handling collections including fossils, furs and bones!
Please note:
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This session will be facilitated via Microsoft Teams and can be joined either by using the application or any web browser.
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This workshop is designed to be run from classrooms and is not currently bookable for pupils learning from home.
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The teacher will remain in the room throughout the duration of the workshop.
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
SESE History
Life, society, work and culture in the past
Language and culture in late 19th and early 20th-century Ireland
Learning outcomes
Learning outcomes for pupils:
On completion of this live session students should be able to:
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Describe the meaning of “extinct” and give examples of extinct animals that used to live in Ireland.
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Describe the evidence for extinction within the museum collections and investigate handling collections of real and replica fossils, furs and bones.
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Develop an understanding of the role of the Museum as a centre for scientific research today and in the past.
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Discuss environmental awareness and care of animals and learn about the ways scientists are re-introducing or putting animals back into the Irish environment.
Resources and suggestions:
Video resources: 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: 7 min 42 sec.
Before your session
Teachers, please preview short curriculum linked videos that will be screened to your class during the virtual session.
Prepare the class for the virtual session. Give pupils an idea of what to expect to see or have a discussion about the Museum in advance of the session.
Why not take a 3D virtual tour of the NMI - Natural History in the classroom with your students.
Make an enquiry
To enquire about this free online facilitated session for your class please complete this enquiry form.
After your virtual session
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After the session, Teachers will be sent via email a number of fun follow-up learning activities for pupils to explore in the classroom.