Donna Gilligan

Subject(s):

Science, History, Geography

Curriculum Strands:

Story (History), Local Studies (History), Early people and ancient societies (History), Continuity and change over time (History), Human environments (Geography), Materials (Science)

Counties catered for:

Cavan, Clare, Galway, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Mayo, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Westmeath

Classes catered for:

All Classes

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Donna is an archaeologist and museum curator, who has worked in the heritage and museums sector for over fifteen years. She runs Scéal Heritage Consultancy (www.scealheritage.com), working with museums, heritage groups, and cultural organisations on a wide range of projects and activities.

She has worked in heritage education for children for over a decade, developing effective and enjoyable methods of child-friendly heritage interpretation through curriculum-based education programmes, workshops, and activities. She specialises in object-based learning (how objects tell us stories about the people who make and use them), and has specific expertise in Irish archaeology and history, Irish women’s history and the suffrage movement, and the history of books and print.

Her visits include engaging visual presentations, class discussions, and interactive hands-on activities which explain the science and work of archaeology, the many chronological periods of time throughout our past, and the changes and continuity between the past and the present. Donna’s visits are very much rooted in the SESE curriculum strands, and are tailored to best suit the needs of each class. Visits can incorporate local heritage projects or field trips to museums or local archaeological monuments, introducing the children to the archaeology and history of their locality and immersing them in the heritage that is all around them.

Testimonials

• "Donna was excellent with the children. She is very knowledgeable on her area and imported this well to the children. She had a good mix of ICT, discussion, worksheets and interactive hands on activities to keep the children engaged and interested. She adapted her workshop well to suit the younger children and discussed more challenging areas with the older children. Our school was delighted with her visit. Donna was very professional and accommodating when arranging the school visit and she was very organised for her day in our school."

• "Donna packed a great deal into the day - excellent day."

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• "Great use of artefacts and exploratory work. Loved the link to grids for maths."

• "Donna was excellent. She shared her expertise and enthusiasm with the students and it was a very enjoyable experience for us all. Thank you."

• "Really worthwhile visit Children really enjoyed it Very engaging presentation Great resources provided Very hands on approach used Met objectives of curriculum All needs and classes catered for Expert was very well prepared for session Would certainly recommend to others" - Threen NS, Roscommon

• "Donna had an excellent rapport with the students. She explained everything clearly and they were intrigued with her workshop."