Young Adults Shine and Celebrate Ireland’s Fossil Heritage with Local School Children

One of the best ways for children to learn is from their peers, and the Mourne Gullion Strangford Geopark Team saw this in action recently when they were on the road delivering interactive workshops about Ireland’s Fossil Heritage. Developed by The University College Cork, the workshops explored how fossils are formed, Ireland’s ancient timeline and how mass extinctions occur.

Volunteer students from St Colmcilles, Crossgar, Assumption Grammar School, Ballynahinch, St Malachy’s Castlewellan and Our Lady’s Grammar School, Newry all went through training to empower them to deliver workshops to the local primary schools in their area.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Pete Byrne said, “Mourne Gullion Strangford Geopark’s rich ecological diversity is underpinned by its geological heritage, and we want to inspire the next generation of geologists, ecologists and palaeontologists. 

I am amazed by the volunteer student’s enthusiasm and commitment to create a meaningful experience for the younger students. They made the workshops come alive and created fun and educational games around the topics they were teaching.”

Jess Franklin, Senior Engagement Officer with Ireland's Fossil Heritage, said, “Ireland has amazing fossil heritage that acts as a remarkable gateway science and a valuable source of inspiration and curiosity about the natural world and STEM. We are thrilled to share our new STEM activity kits with Mourne Gullion Strangford Geopark! These kits allow local students to dive into thrilling hands-on activities, exploring everything from fossilisation to environmental change. We are honoured that the student volunteers gave their time to deliver our fossil themed activities.”