Geology for Leaving Certificate Geography Teachers - CPD24-1740

UPDATE: COURSE IS NOW POSTPONED TO SPRING 2025

This short course will cover Core Units 1 and 2 of the Leaving Certificate Geography curriculum. 

-          Day 1:

Session 1: Plate Tectonics and Isostasy

Session 2: The Rock Cycle

Session 3: Landform Development I: geological structures

Session 4: Landform Development II: Rock characteristics

 Day 2:

Session 1: Landform Development III: Surface processes

Session 2: Geoecology

Session 3: Ocean-atmosphere system

Session 4: Geology in the Geographical Investigation and Skills Unit

 Optional half-day fieldtrip: hands-on practical geology field skills in how to design and run a Geographical Investigation at a geological site. Planned for Sat 16th of November weather permitting

 The course will include a comprehensive theoretical grounding in the scientific content of Core Unit 1, with emphasis on understanding the key concepts and processes involved in shaping the Earth and its landforms. This will be supported by hands-on practical work in each workshop with e.g. rocks, microscopes and/or maps, supplemented by easy hands-on activities that can be adapted for the classroom using everyday materials.

The final workshop and the fieldtrip will focus on Core Unit 2, in particular, how geology can enhance student projects, how to approach the fieldwork itself, and approaches to preparation of the accompanying written report. The fieldtrip will introduce participants to several relevant sites close to Cork city that have applications to the topic “Describe the geology of an area” that recently appeared on the Prescribed List.