Liz Tiernan from Biodiversity in Schools visited Mr. Maughan's Sixth Class last Monday to conduct a workshop with the children. Liz spoke about rare and endangered species of animals and plants in Ireland and brought pictures of them to show the children. She also brought collections of shells, feathers, bones and insects for the children to inspect. She asked them to group the samples in whatever way they saw fit. The results of this grouping prompted some interesting conversations.
After break, we went on a nature walk around the grounds of the school. Liz spoke about the native trees we have in St. Marnock's like the Rowan/Mountain Ash, the Sycamore, the Whitebeam, the Willow and the Cherry tree. The children collected leaves and fruits from the trees. We were very lucky to see an Oystercatcher bird feeding on the field at the back of the school. This is a rare sight.
After the children came back in Liz handed out samples of clay so that the children could imprint their leaves or fruit on it.
It was a great morning and the children learned a lot. We will continue to learn about the flora and fauna of our local area here in Portmarnock.
