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Geography River Studies & Ecology Field Study Packages
Knockree is ideally situated to host various River & Ecology field courses. The Glencree Valley itself is
 a highly glaciated valley drained by the Glencree River (originally a glacial outflow river) and replete with glacial geographic features in various stages of formation that have been slowly eroded since the end of the last Ice Age.
Knockree is bordered by Coillte managed forests comprising both established old growth forest and newly planted lumber pine.
All the surrounding mountains are designated either as part of Wicklow National Park or as common land which provides ample habitat for various forms of wildlife from frogs, to badgers to foxes, to silka deer and every native species in between.
Killarney is also in a great location for both Geography and Ecology field studies. We use the River Loe for our River Study programme here.
Ever since practical fieldwork became an integral part of the new modular geography/biology curriculum the fieldwork on both the Junior and Leaving Certificates has become a popular choice.
The primary purpose of fieldwork is to introduce pupils to the everyday realities of scientific research: not only in the field of geography but also in botany; ecology; biology; geology and all other sciences.
The emphasis is on practicality, observation and good data collection.
The basis of physical geography research is to apply what is learned in the classroom to the real world - and this is where EcoAdventure Ireland excels. Apart from the multitude of geographical features readily apparent in the Glencree Valley as we as Killarney, both properties are only a short distance from other habitats and features as diverse as eroded peat bogs, primary stage river basins and textbook examples of glacial corrie lakes.
The biggest concern for both individual teachers and the Department of Education with regard to the geography fieldwork modules has been one of plagiarism.
In order for the module to be marked objectively it is imperative that teachers encourage their students to address various different questions relating to the subject at hand. The
 Department of Education has already advised students against the practice of submitting formulaic reports as it can be seen to stifle their creativity and individuality.
Long gone are the days of examiners trudging through thousands of identical reports on identical subjects without recourse to mark down obvious copying.
To this end EcoAdventure Ireland ensures that each of the Field Studies offered have sufficient breadth and depth to allow students work in smaller collaborative units thereby eliminating not only the temptation to plagiarise the work of others but precluding the possibility of doing so.
EcoAdventure Ireland offers three options that are suitable for Junior and Leaving Certicifate students; Transition Year students and 5th and 6th Class Primary students. These options are:
- Scientific Study of an Ecosystem
- Deposit Erosion and Transportation Study
- In-depth River Study
While the principals of each study remain the same for all students the level of complexity will differ depending on the course the pupil is doing.
All are available as either Full or Half Day programmes. For Half Day programmes you can choose one of the three studies. For Full Day you can choose either one in depth study or two informative studies.
We recommend that Junior Certificate and Transition Year students choose two informative studies and Leaving Certificate pupils choose one in depth study. Our 5th and 6th Class programme in a basic introduction to field work combining elements of all three studies.
Our Full Day programmes typically run from 10am-4pm and Half Day programmes run from 10am-1pm or 1pm-4pm. Other time schedules can be accommodated.
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