First Year Fun and Learning at Fota!

Our 1st years recently travelled to Fota Wildlife Park for their annual ecology field trip, combining classroom learning with hands-on scientific investigation.

The day began with an engaging ecology lecture, where students explored the key concepts of the Junior Cycle Science ecology section, along with important conservation and preservation efforts both in Fota and globally.

Students then took part in practical fieldwork in woodland and grassland habitats. They conducted line transect studies and quadrat surveys to analyse plant distribution and used sweep nets, pitfall traps and beating trays to sample and examine local invertebrate life. This provided valuable experience in ecological sampling techniques and biodiversity assessment.

The trip concluded with an opportunity to explore the wildlife park, allowing students to observe a wide range of species while reinforcing their understanding of conservation in practice.

Overall, the trip offered an excellent opportunity for students to experience ecology in a real-world setting and deepen their understanding of the course content.