Eighty sixth year biology students and their teachers headed off for the annual visit to Dublin Zoo, a highlight that all look forward to.
Clipboards were found and the all important report booklet photocopied. Ecology is a cornerstone of Leaving Cert Biology. Students appreciate the opportunity to gain hands on experience in Dublin Zoo. Working with Zoo teachers, students investigate a woodland/grassland habitat. Ecology is covered in Unit 1: Biology – The Study of Life with section 1.4 General Principles of Ecology and section 1.5 A Study of an Ecosystem begin the two more important sections.
Students head to the Education/ Discovery centre , they work in the woodland adjacent to the Asian Elephant section.
Students collect, identify and describe animals and plants using specialist ecology equipment and conduct a qualitat.ve and quantitative study in grassland/woodland habitats.
Students then record abiotic factors along a line transect and compile a comprehensive fieldwork report.
The fieldtrip concludes with lunch in the Meercat resturant and time to see some animal antics before returning back to school
Thanks to Ms Kelly , Ms Ryan , Mr Delaney and Mr Delahunty for all the 'behind the scene ' organising that contribute to the sucess of fieldtrip.