How long does it take a deer to grow back an antler? What is the smallest mammal in Ireland? Can we bring animals back from extinction? Join a Museum Educator online and live in your classroom to answer all your pupils curious questions about life on Earth! Short videos will be combined with a virtual close-up inspection of skulls, stuffed animals and fossils!
Online workshop at a glance
Level: Junior infants - 6th class
Format: Online facilitated workshop
Duration: Up to one hour
Online via: Microsoft Teams
Group size: One class per workshop
Availability: Selective dates throughout the 2026 autumn school term
Booking: To enquire about this free online facilitated workshop for your class please contact bookings@museum.ie
Please note:
-
This workshop will be facilitated via Microsoft Teams and can be joined either by using the application or any web browser.
-
Teachers must be available to take a phone call the morning of the online workshop to discuss with the Educator about operating Microsoft teams, learning aims of the class, and the role of the teacher during the workshop.
-
This workshop is designed to be run from classrooms and is not currently bookable for pupils learning from home.
-
The teacher will remain in the classroom 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
Learning outcomes
-
Engage with real and replica scientific collections (animals and fossils) from the National Museum of Ireland.
-
Increase knowledge of living things; indentification of species, habitat, diet and animal adaptations.
-
Explore concepts of biodiversity, extinction, and conservation.
-
Understand the basics of taxidermy; identify what parts are real and what parts are fake.
-
Aid skills such as investigation, observation, analysis and critical thinking.
-
Senior classes: Increase knowledge of environmental awareness and care of species and habitats in Ireland and abroad.
Resources and suggestions:
Video resources that may be shown during the online workshop: What does “Extinct” mean? (1 min 07 sec); How the Giant Irish Deer became Extinct in Ireland (1 min 39 sec); How the Spotted Hyena went Extinct in Ireland (1 min 17 sec); How the Dodo went Extinct (2 min); How the Thylacine went Extinct (1 min 50 sec); How the Wolf went Extinct in Ireland (3 min 27 sec); The Bear Family (4 min 30 sec) Total: 16 min 20 sec.
Teachers, please preview short curriculum linked videos in advance of the online workshop.
Before your online workshop
Prepare the class for the online workshop. Give pupils an idea of what to expect to see or have a discussion about the Museum in advance of the workshop.
While the Natural History Museum on Merrion Street is closed for much needed conservation and refurbishment works, visit the Dead Zoo Lab page on our website to discover more about this exciting space at Collins Barrack!
Still missing the Natural History Museum AKA the Dead Zoo? Why not take your pupils on a 3D virtual tour of the Dead Zoo for a trip down memory lane to see old favourites such as the basking shark, whale skeletons and more.
After your online workshop
-
After the session, Teachers will be sent via email a number of fun follow-up learning activities for pupils to explore in the classroom.