For Teachers | Get into Geoscience

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Geoscience for Leaving Certificate Teachers

Geoscience is vital for our sustainable future, and geography is the key gateway to geoscience for most students. Additionally, the new Climate Action and Sustainable Development (CASD) subject provides a brilliant opportunity to engage students with the geosciences through a new lens. The Geoscience for Teachers CPD programme has been developed by iCRAG and Geological Survey Ireland to create an opportunity for teachers of geography and CASD, and geoscience professionals to come together to increase the awareness of geoscience within the Leaving Certificate curriculum.

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Work with professionals

During the CPD course, teachers and geoscience professionals from both research and industry are paired together to co-create curriculum facing resources that are freely available for use. Over the course of six evening sessions, teachers learn more about the cutting-edge geoscience being undertaken by their partnered geoscientists, before working together to develop a curriculum-facing resource using their interests, teaching expertise and the knowledge of the geoscientist.

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Dates for your diary

The course has run three times to date, in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The 2025 iteration will begin in late September and will soon be open to expressions of interest. The course is open to teachers of Geography and teachers of the new Climate Action and Sustainability Subject.

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Resources

Each year, the resources produced have included lesson plans, module plans and field guides and the accompanying teacher notes and slides/field booklets for each resource. They are all suitable for Leaving Certificate students and some are also suitable for TY students.

The resources link the most recent advances in geoscience to the geography curriculum in a way that is both understandable and relevant. The resources are freely available to be used for classes anywhere in the world. We hope that you and your students enjoy using them.

Resource Downloads

Co-created Resources

Offshore Wind and Coastal Erosion Module Plan

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This resource has been developed by teacher John Hegarty and geoscientist Shauna Creane from iCRAG at UCD. The resource is a full module plan, covering coastal erosion and offshore wind
generation. The module provides information and resources for at least five lessons, with suggestions for expansion. This resource pack includes the full module plan and associated teacher notes and lesson plans. It also includes further information sheets and quizzes. It is suitable for TY students as well as Leaving Certificate Students.

A Study of Mouds Bog Lesson Plan

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This resource has been developed by teacher Sandra Kennedy alongside Fergus McAuliffe, Rebecca Rivera and Amanda Perera from iCRAG. It is an in-depth case study of Mouds Bog, Newbridge, Kildare and is perfect for a teacher interested in bringing a little lab work into their lessons. Included in this resource pack is a full lesson plan and associated teacher notes, example worksheets and a PowerPoint of slides. It is suitable for TY students as well as Leaving Certificate students.

Living in your Landscape Module Plan

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This resource has been developed by teacher Anne Browne alongside Benjamin Thebaudeau, the Geopark Geologist at the Joyce Country and Western Lakes Geopark Project. This resource is a
comprehensive module guide to ‘Living in your Landscape’, focusing in on geohazards and resilience. It covers 12 lessons and is suitable for Leaving Certificate or TY students. Included in this resource pack is a full module plan and associated teacher notes, plus the PowerPoint slides.

Coastal Erosion Module Plan

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This resource has been developed by teacher Shannon O’Brien and geoscientists John Walsh and Shonny Lehane, both iCRAG at UCD. This resource is a deep dive into coastal erosion in a full module of engaging activity. Included in this resource pack is a full module plan and associated teacher notes, and a powerpoint of slides. It is suitable for Leaving Certificate students and potentially TY students.

Understanding Radon and it's Environmental Effects Lesson Plan

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This resource has been developed by teacher Maram Alnaimat O’Reilly alongside geoscientists Pablo Rodriguez Salgado and Savannah Devine. It is a fantastic interactive escape room which delves deep into Radon and its role as a geohazard. Included in this resource pack is the full lesson plan and associated teacher notes, and the escape room (both online access and the written-out version). This resource is suitable for both Leaving Certificate and TY students.

Human Interaction with the Rock Cycle Module Plan

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This resource has been developed by Maryann Callinan, a geography teacher at St Oliver Post Primary and iCRAG researcher Rioko Moscardini, alongside Russell Rogers from Geological Survey Ireland. The resource is a deep dive into human interaction with the rock cycle, specifically through Geothermal Energy. Included in this resource pack is a full module plan and associated teacher notes, a PowerPoint of slides and copious further information and learning activities. It is suitable for Leaving Certificate Students.

Dynamic Coasts Module Plan

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This resource has been developed by Charlene O’Hagan, a geography teacher at St. Vincents Secondary School, Dundalk, Co Louth and iCRAG researchers Gregor Rink and Phoebe Walsh, as well as David Hardy from Geological Survey Ireland. The resource provides an in-depth introduction to coastal dynamics, using a case study of Templetown Beach, Co Louth. Included in this resource pack is a full module plan and associated teacher notes, and a PowerPoint of slides. It is suitable for Transition Year and can also be used as a base resource for Leaving Certificate students.

Exploring Natural Resources Module Plan

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This resource has been developed by Teresa Sullivan, a geography teacher at St. Oliver Post Primary, Co Meath and iCRAG geoscientists Farimah Fattahi Masrour and Markus Pracht, and Ronan McCool from Geological Survey Ireland. The resource is a deep dive into the contentious topic of exploring natural resources, in particular geology, quarries and bogs. Included in this resource pack is a full module plan and associated teacher notes, and a PowerPoint of slides. It is suitable for Transition Year and Leaving Certificate Students.

Karst Landscapes Lesson Plan

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This resource has been developed by Sinead Burke, a geography teacher at Gort Community School, iCRAG researcher Laurence Gill and geoscience professional Patrick Morrissey. The resource is a deep dive Irish Karst Landscapes. Included in this resource pack is a full lesson plan and associated teacher notes, and an ArcGIS Storymap. It is suitable for Leaving Certificate Students.

Carbon Capture and Storage from the Irish Perspective Lesson Plan

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This resource has been developed by Cian O’Grady, a geography teacher at Calasanctius College, Galway alongside iCRAG scientist Pablo Rodriguez Salgado. The resource examines Carbon Capture and Storage from the Irish Perspective. Included in this resource pack is a full lesson plan and associated teacher notes, and a PowerPoint of slides. It is suitable for Leaving Certificate Students.

Drumlins Lesson Plan

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This resource has been developed by Geraldine O’Brien, a geography teacher at Carrigallen Vocational School and iCRAG researcher Tiernan Henry. The resource is a deep dive into Irish drumlins. Included in this resource pack is a full lesson plan and associated teacher notes, and a PowerPoint of slides. It is suitable for Leaving Certificate Students.

Folding and Faulting Lesson Plan

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This resource has been developed by Seantelle Quane, a geography teacher at St Peter’s Community School School and iCRAG researcher Emma Tomlinson. The resource is a comprehensive overview of folding and folding. Included in this resource pack is a full lesson plan, worksheets and associated teacher notes, and a PowerPoint of slides. It is suitable for Leaving Certificate Students.

Mining in Ireland Lesson Plan

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This resource has been developed by Eleanor Solon, a geography teacher at Hewitt College, Cork and iCRAG researchers Aileen Dolan and Phil Rieger. The resource is a deep dive into the contentious topic of mining in Ireland. Included in this resource pack is a full lesson plan and associated teacher notes, and a PowerPoint of slides. It is suitable for Leaving Certificate Students.

Geothermal Energy Module Plan

This resource has been developed by Elaine Egan, a geography teacher at Synge Street CBS, alongside geoscience professionals Rory Dunphy and Koen Verbruggen, both from Geological Survey Ireland. The resource is a deep dive into geothermal energy, covering at least four lessons. Included in this resource pack is a full module plan and associated teacher notes, and a PowerPoint of slides. It is suitable for TY students as well as Leaving Certificate Students.

Glendalough Field Course

This resource has been developed by Susan Breen, a geography teacher at Presentation College Carlow, alongside geoscience professionals Dr Danny Hnatyshin from iCRAG at UCD and Dr Siobhán Power from Geological Survey Ireland. This resource is a field guide and accompanying teacher guide for a field investigation of Glendalough, Wicklow. The field investigation covers the geology of the area, alongside considering the historical and human importance of the site. It has been designed for Leaving Certificate students but may be suitable for younger students with some additional preparation.

Seismic Activity Module Plan

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This resource has been created by Claire Healy, a geography teacher from Douglas Community School in County Cork, and Drs Srikumar Roy and Pablo Rodriguez-Salgado, both from iCRAG at UCD. This resource is a full module that examines seismic activity in depth. The resource covers everything from the basics of seismicity to the tsunamis that have threatened Ireland in the past. It has been designed as a Transition Year module, but aspects are suitable for Leaving Certificate classes.

Irish Geohazards Lesson Plan

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This resource has been created by Eileen Kelley from Castleknock Community College, alongside geoscientists Drs Eve Daly and Haleh Karbala Ali both from iCRAG at NUIG and DIAS respectively. This resource examines the geohazards that affect Ireland, such as groundwater and flooding, and investigates the methods we use to monitor the hazards and mitigate for their potential effects. This resource has been designed to cover at least a double class and is suitable for Leaving Certificate level students.

What Lies Beneath? An introduction to Geoscience. Lesson Plan

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This resource has been created by Jennifer O’Sullivan from Killorglin Community College alongside geoscience professionals Dr Tiernan Henry from iCRAG at NUIG and Dr Eamon Doyle from the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark. This is an introductory resource for classes just starting their geoscience learning journey. It is aimed for a double class and is suitable for Leaving Certificate level students, though younger students may also benefit from this resource.

Volcanic Activity in the Irish Context Lesson Plan

This resource has been developed by Geraldine O’Brien, a teacher from Carrigallen Vocational School and Drs Hilde Koch and Maurice Brodbeck from iCRAG at UCD and TCD respectively. This resource is a lesson plan for at least a double lesson that investigates volcanic activity from the Irish context. It has been designed for Leaving Certificate Students.

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