Gortbrack Organic Farm

Discover Primary Science Programme
@ Gortbrack Organic Farm

Gortbrack Organic Farm’s Education programme is offering an Organic Food and Habitat Trail as part of the Discover Primary Science Programme. Our programme offers an outdoor classroom, where children can explore various aspects of our natural environment through observing, investigating and recording outdoor habitats. One theme from below can be chosen as part of the Organic Food and Habitat Trail:

Local Organic Food	Soil & Compost
Botany & Seedsaving	Water
The Carbon Cycle	Photosynthesis
Renewable Energy	Bugs in the Garden
Woodland & Hedgerow Habitats	Biodiversity

There will be worksheets for the children and support material for the teachers. Cost: €10 per child (minimum 25 children). All of the workshops are suitable for 4^th- 6^th classes. 1^st- 3^rd class can take part in Local Organic Food or Bugs in the Garden (minibeasts) workshops. Our DPS programme is designed to support the Discover Primary Science Classroom Activity Packs as well as the SESE curriculum.

Discover Primary Science Workshop Options

FOOD AND SOIL

1.Local Organic Food, organic food & habitats trail, seasonal garden activities, sowing seeds/planting/taking cuttings activities, colours & other senses in nature & drawing, weeds, herbs & other plants & their uses, saving seeds, living sustainability (suitable for 1^st – 3^rd & 4^th -6^th)

2. Botany & Seedsaving, looking at plants, how they grow, flower and fruit, looking at how to save seeds from your plants

3. Soil & Compost, web of life, how to make a compost heap/worm bin, mini beast hunt, recycling – what happens our waste? Learn about soil & soil testing activities, earthworm count, organic fertilisers

ELEMENTALS

4. Water, learn about water cycle/water conservation, explore pond and bogland/wetland habitats & identify a variety of plants & creatures

5. The Carbon Cycle, learn about the carbon cycle, climate change, carbon footprint and food miles, living sustainability

6. Photosynthesis, learn about photosynthesis, solar energy

7. Renewable energy, wind energy, solar, water, geo thermal

WILDLIFE & HABITATS

8. Bugs in the Garden, make a rough wood pile habitat, bug hotel, for mini-beasts, identify a range of mini-beasts activity, how to make a home for the bumble bee & other important pollinators in the garden (suitable for 1^st – 3^rd & 4^th -6^th)

9. Woodland and Hedgerow Habitat, explore the woodland/hedgerow habitat & identify a variety of plants/bugs/mammals depending on season, collect tree seeds & propagate, the magic of willow

10. Biodiversity & Wild Areas, explore a wild meadow, stone wall and wild area habitats, learn about the importance of biodiversity

Notes to Teachers:

Microscope activities where appropriate
Practical activities depending on length of visit/where applicable
Worksheets for children provided
Support material for teachers provided

*Long Term Option: The schools have the option to develop an environmental school garden plan of their school grounds, incorporating growing local organic food and developing native habitats such a woodland, pond and wild areas, this can be created and used as an outdoor classroom which has the potential for long term use of a variety of cross curricular subjects.

Booking Information and Contact Details

Download Booking Form