This page has been designed to give ideas to teachers on how to link the Joyce Country & Western Lakes geopark project region with the Irish curriculum.
We have also developed some resources which can be viewed in our dedicated resource section, so please check them out!
Using the JCWL geopark project region as a case study for the various geological modules at Third Level
Below are suggestions and ideas for lecturers and professors on how the Joyce Country & Western Lakes geopark region as a whole, or specific sites within it, can be used as a case study/ as case studies to teach specific geological modules at Third Level.
This can either be done in the classroom, or by going on a fieldtrip to visit these places. We want to encourage using the geopark region as an outdoor classroom, as a case study area, and for the people living within it to realise what a special area it is and be proud of where they live.
We hope to design resources in conjunction with teachers, so if you are interested in working with us, please contact us. We look forward to hearing from and working with you.
Please note, the curriculum information is correct as of April 2020. Only the modules that apply to the geopark project are mentioned here.
Igneous Petrology (GEOL30240)
Geopark area as a fieldtrip/ case study for module
Applied Palaeontology (GEOL30010)
Geopark area as a fieldtrip/ case study for module e.g. looking at trace fossils in limestone and behaviour and environment they represent. Detail of uses of trace fossils and micro fossils. Role of fossils in biostratigraphy and chronostratigraphy
Metamorphic Petrology (GEOL30110)
Geopark area as a fieldtrip/ case study for module
Geological Fieldwork - Stage 3 (GEOL30320)
Develop a fieldtrip especially for this module which includes areas for logging, mapping, structural analysis, faults, depositional environments and palaeogeographic settings
Geosynthesis (GEOL30400)
Develop an activity for this module e.g. deducing geological history using the geological map, interpreting geological map, using ArcGIS/ QGIS to do an activity
Earth and Humanity (GEOL10050)
Geopark area as a case study for how the geological history has shaped and affected the landscape and how this has influence where we live and what businesses/ industries you can find
Geoscience Research Project (GEOL30390)
Offer research ideas for this module for what can be done in geopark e.g. using petrology and isotope geochemistry to deduce geological history of geopark and to help determine the oldest rocks found etc
Geological Mapping Research (GEOL40510)
Geopark as an alternative fieldtrip to what they already offer e.g. Lough Mask Kilbride peninsula has everything for you need to practise your mapping skills
Igneous Petrology and Ore Geology (GEOL40190)
Geopark area as a case study for this module e.g. why mineralisation occurred in geopark and why different places have different/same mineralisation
Quaternary Geology (GEOL40490)
Develop an activity for this module e.g. the glacial process that shaped the landscape we see today in the geopark, methods used to analyse the past 2.6 million years, Quaternary and mineral exploration
Geological Field Skills 1 (GLU33924)
Geopark as an alternative fieldtrip to what they offer. Develop a fieldtrip/ ‘pack’ for this module which includes basic field mapping skills
Geological Field Skills 2 (GLU33925)
Geopark as an alternative fieldtrip to what they offer. Develop a fieldtrip/ ‘pack’ for this module which includes basic field mapping skills and a focus on tectonics of a region and the geological evolution of a mountain belt
Sedimentology (GLU33926)
Develop an activity to recognise sedimentary depositional environments e.g. in the road section from Finny – Kilbride: shallow to deep water
Structural Geology (GLU33928)
Develop an activity using minor folds e.g. in the marble and how this can be used to infer the bigger picture of what happened in geopark area. Also opportunity for stereonet practice
Introduction to Geochemistry (GLU33934)
Geopark area as a case study on how geochemistry can be used to determine the tectonic regimes of the geopark area and how to determine if a mineral is economic
Microscopy and Crystalline Rocks (GLU33936)
Geopark area as a case study for how we can infer the parent rock of metamorphic rocks in the area based on microscopy
GIS and Mapping Techniques (GLU33937)
Develop an activity for this module e.g. deducing geological history using the geological map, interpreting geological map, using ArcGIS/ QGIS to do an activity
Economic Geology (GLU44919)
Geopark area as a case study for the ore deposits found in the area. Gold, Lead and Silver. Where mineralising fluids came from, why they concentrated, types of mineralisation and how mineral exploration has occurred
Project (GLU44901)
Geopark area as an ideal and suitable location for independent project as it has a lot to offer in such a small area
Micropalaeontology and Evolution (GLU44924)
Geopark area as a fieldtrip/ case study for module e.g. looking at trace fossils in limestone and behaviour and environment they represent. Detail of uses of trace fossils and micro fossils. Role of fossils in biostratigraphy and chronostratigraphy
Hydrology and Water Quality (GLU34923)
Using Lough Carra as a case study for this module
Isotope Geochemistry and Geochronology (GLU44927)
Geopark area as a case study for how we can infer the parent rock of metamorphic rocks in the area and the order of events based on the geochemistry of the rocks
Geological Evolution of Ireland (GL1004)
Geopark area as a case study as has rocks from many different ages spanning most of the geological evolution of Ireland
Introductory Sedimentology for non-Geologists (GL2001)
Develop an activity to recognise sedimentary depositional environments e.g. in the road section from Finny – Kilbride: shallow to deep water
Sedimentological Processes and Sedimentary Petrology (GL2011)
Develop an activity to recognise sedimentary depositional environments e.g. in the road section from Finny – Kilbride: shallow to deep water
Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology (GL2012)
Geopark area as a destination to see how some metamorphic and igneous rocks formed
Easter Field Course (GL2016)
Geopark area as an alternative fieldtrip to what they offer. Includes stratigraphy, sedimentology, volcanology, structure, palaeontology and basic mapping skills
Fossils as Living Organisms (GL2019)
Geopark area as a fieldtrip/ case study for module e.g. looking at trace fossils in limestone and behaviour and environment they represent. Detail of uses of trace fossils and micro fossils. Role of fossils in biostratigraphy and chronostratigraphy
Sedimentary Environments (GL3013)
Develop an activity to recognise sedimentary depositional environments e.g. in the road section from Finny – Kilbride: shallow to deep water
Crustal Evolution of NW Britain (GL3023)
Have an Irish option for this, as the geology of geopark area is similar geology and processes to those of NW Britain (part of same continent). Igneous and metamorphic rocks, structural processes, Archaean and Proterozoic metamorphism, Caledonian magmatism, Palaeogene magmatism. Include Dalradian
Geological Map Interpretation (GL3030)
Develop an activity for this module e.g. deducing geological history using the geological map, interpreting geological map, using ArcGIS/ QGIS to do an activity
Advanced Field Geoscience Techniques (GL3033)
Geopark area as an alternative fieldtrip to what they offer. Includes stratigraphy, sedimentology, volcanology, structure, palaeontology and basic mapping skills
Geology Field Project (GL4030)
Geopark area as an alternative fieldtrip to what is offered. Includes stratigraphy, sedimentology, volcanology, structure, palaeontology and basic mapping skills
Igneous and Metamorphic Terrain Mapping (GL6002)
Geopark area as an alternative fieldtrip to what is offered. Includes stratigraphy, sedimentology, volcanology, structure, palaeontology and basic mapping skills. Concentrate on the areas with igneous and metamorphic rocks and how to use small scale structures e.g. minor folds to determine bigger events
Structural Geology for Mineral Exploration (GL6012)
Geopark area as a case study for the ore deposits found in the area. Gold, Lead and Silver. Where mineralising fluids came from, why they concentrated, types of mineralisation and how mineral exploration has occurred
Geology of Ore Deposits (GL6013)
Geopark area as a case study for the ore deposits found in the area. Gold, Lead and Silver. Where mineralising fluids came from, why they concentrated, types of mineralisation and how mineral exploration has occurred
Field Training 2 (ER3005)
Geopark as an alternative fieldtrip to what is offered. Develop a fieldtrip/ ‘pack’ for this module which includes basic field mapping skills
Field Training 1 (ER2002)
Geopark as an alternative fieldtrip to what is offered. Develop a fieldtrip/ ‘pack’ for this module which includes basic field mapping skills
Dissertation in Field Geology (GL6018)
Geopark area as an alternative fieldtrip to what is offered. Includes stratigraphy, sedimentology, volcanology, structure, palaeontology and basic mapping skills
Introduction to Fieldskills (EOS2101)
Geopark area as an alternative fieldtrip to what is offered. Develop a fieldtrip/ ‘pack’ for this module which includes volcanic rocks, sedimentary rocks, sedimentary structures and depositional environments, trace fossils, field relationships, rock contacts, dipping rocks, areas to collect data and a GIS component e.g. digitising maps
The Earth: From Core to Crust (EOS2102)
Geopark area as a case study using its geological history to explain processes that occur
Fieldskills Training (EOS3104)
Geopark area as an alternative fieldtrip to what is offered. Develop a fieldtrip/ ‘pack’ for this module which includes volcanic rocks, sedimentary rocks, sedimentary structures and depositional environments, trace fossils, field relationships, rock contacts, dipping rocks, areas to collect data and a GIS component e.g. digitising maps
Sediments and the Sedimentary Record (EOS323)
Day trip to geopark area to collect data about sedimentary structures, do sedimentary logs, palaeocurrent data, look at a range of sedimentary rocks, sedimentary depositional environments e.g. Finny – Kilbride road
Palaeontology & Evolution (EOS3103)
Geopark area as a fieldtrip/ case study for module e.g. looking at trace fossils in limestone and behaviour and environment they represent. Detail of uses of trace fossils and micro fossils. Role of fossils in biostratigraphy and chronostratigraphy
The Crystalline Crust (EOS3105)
Day trip to geopark area to observe in-the-field specimens of igneous and metamorphic rocks and infer relationship between metamorphic rocks and parent rocks
Advanced Fieldskills (EOS4103)
Geopark area as an alternative fieldtrip to what is offered. Develop a fieldtrip/ ‘pack’ for this module which includes volcanic rocks, sedimentary rocks, sedimentary structures and depositional environments, trace fossils, field relationships, rock contacts, dipping rocks, areas to collect data and a GIS component e.g. digitising maps
Final Year Project (EOS403)
Geopark area as an alternative fieldtrip to what is offered. Develop a fieldtrip/ ‘pack’ for this module which includes volcanic rocks, sedimentary rocks, sedimentary structures and depositional environments, trace fossils, field relationships, rock contacts, dipping rocks, areas to collect data and a GIS component e.g. digitising maps
History of Life (EOS407)
Liaise with NUIG for History of Life module – suggest topics about geopark area e.g. evolution of landscape today, evolution of bogs etc. Video can then be featured on JCWL website
Diploma in Scientific Studies
Geopark area as a fieldtrip destination for diploma to visualise the theory discussed in class e.g. going in to geological history of geopark, the rock type and how they formed, structural features etc
Diploma in Gemmology
Geopark area as a fieldtrip destination for diploma to visualise the theory discussed in class e.g. going in to geological history of geopark, the rock type and how they formed, structural features etc
Science: The Frozen Planet (SG075)
Geopark area as a case study/ fieldtrip/ online resource for this module, including landscape shapes by ice, drumlins, corries, erratics, till etc
Earth Science (S209)
Geopark area as a case study/ fieldtrip/ online resource for this module including geological history to describe how the different rock types forms, fossils found, sedimentary processes and environments etc
Earth Processes (S309)
Geopark area as a case study/ fieldtrip/ online resource for this module, including geological history to describe Earth’s processes
Download University College Dublin (UCD) as pdf
Download Trinity College Dublin (TCD) as pdf
Download University College Cork (UCC) as pdf
Download National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG) as pdf
Download Open University Ireland as pdf
This page is still a work in progress, so please bear with us! If you have any suggestions, we’d love to hear them.