Throughout my teaching I encourage students to gain hands-on experience in the field via outdoor classrooms, field-trips, and site visits
Outdoor classroom activities
Run outdoor classrooms with 2nd yr students to nearby field sites
Merlin Woods
At Merlin Woods, we investigate Winter Tree Identification and overall biodiversity within the woodlands. This is an opportunity to apply knowledge and identification skills gained in lectures and practicals and to also observe the plants in the real world, sometimes for the first time.
At Merlin Woods, we investigate Winter Tree Identification and overall biodiversity within the woodlands. This is an opportunity to apply knowledge and identification skills gained in lectures and practicals and to also observe the plants in the real world, sometimes for the first time.
Ballyloughane Beach
At Ballyloughane beach, we investigate Brown Seaweed Identification, refresh on red and green seaweed identification and examine the physical and environmental factors impacting seaweed growth along the shoreline. Again, this is an opportunity to apply knowledge and identification skills gained in lectures and practicals and to also observe the algae in the real world, sometimes for the first time.
At Ballyloughane beach, we investigate Brown Seaweed Identification, refresh on red and green seaweed identification and examine the physical and environmental factors impacting seaweed growth along the shoreline. Again, this is an opportunity to apply knowledge and identification skills gained in lectures and practicals and to also observe the algae in the real world, sometimes for the first time.
Field trips
Run a number of field trips across 2nd, 3rd and 4th yr classes
Corrib Catchment Field trip
On this field trip, second year students visit six of the main rivers entering Lough Corrib to analyse their water quality using water chemical and biological data. Students gain experience in measuring river flow, water depth, calculating river discharge, taking water samples, on site water chemistry measurements, conducting macroinvertebrate kick samples, identifying macroinvertebrates to family level and calculating biological indices.
On this field trip, second year students visit six of the main rivers entering Lough Corrib to analyse their water quality using water chemical and biological data. Students gain experience in measuring river flow, water depth, calculating river discharge, taking water samples, on site water chemistry measurements, conducting macroinvertebrate kick samples, identifying macroinvertebrates to family level and calculating biological indices.
Connemara National Park Field Trip
On this field trip, third year students visit Connemara National Park to assess the water quality of their man-made pond and overall ecological health of the peatland study site using soil chemical analysis and biological (flora) data. Students gain experience in sampling water, aquatic biota, peatland vegetation and peatland vegetation. Specific attention is paid to peatland ecosystem services and provision within large catchments.
On this field trip, third year students visit Connemara National Park to assess the water quality of their man-made pond and overall ecological health of the peatland study site using soil chemical analysis and biological (flora) data. Students gain experience in sampling water, aquatic biota, peatland vegetation and peatland vegetation. Specific attention is paid to peatland ecosystem services and provision within large catchments.
Cabragh Wetlands Field trip
On this field trip, third year students visit Cabragh Wetlands near Thurlus, Co. Tipperary to assess the water quality and overall ecological health of the site using water chemical and biological data. Students gain experience in sampling water and biota from rivers, lakes and wetland habitats. Specific attention is paid to macrophyte (aquatic plant) and macroinvertebrate identification and their associated biological metrics.
On this field trip, third year students visit Cabragh Wetlands near Thurlus, Co. Tipperary to assess the water quality and overall ecological health of the site using water chemical and biological data. Students gain experience in sampling water and biota from rivers, lakes and wetland habitats. Specific attention is paid to macrophyte (aquatic plant) and macroinvertebrate identification and their associated biological metrics.
Ebro Delta, Tarragona, Spain
On this field trip, fourth year students visit the Ebro Delta region of Tarragona, Spain. Here they have the opportunity to visit numerous freshwater, brackish and marine habitats, and examine how intensification of traditional agricultural (rice growing) methods and global environmental threats (climate change, sea level rise) are impacting on the management and long term conservation and protection of this area. Wetland birds are used as a biological indicator of habitat health throughout the trip. In addition, we make a number of site visits to industry, research and NGOs in the region such as SEO BirdLife & Organic Rice Farm, IRTA Aquaculture Research Centre, Sant Carles de la Rapita fishing port, Ecomuseum Deltebre, CDR, and MónNatura Delta de I’Ebre Salt museum.
On this field trip, fourth year students visit the Ebro Delta region of Tarragona, Spain. Here they have the opportunity to visit numerous freshwater, brackish and marine habitats, and examine how intensification of traditional agricultural (rice growing) methods and global environmental threats (climate change, sea level rise) are impacting on the management and long term conservation and protection of this area. Wetland birds are used as a biological indicator of habitat health throughout the trip. In addition, we make a number of site visits to industry, research and NGOs in the region such as SEO BirdLife & Organic Rice Farm, IRTA Aquaculture Research Centre, Sant Carles de la Rapita fishing port, Ecomuseum Deltebre, CDR, and MónNatura Delta de I’Ebre Salt museum.
All photos are property of Heather Lally