As part of Access Classics, academic staff from UCD School of Classics visit schools to conduct tailored workshops. These visits moved online in 2020 owing to Covid-19 restrictions, but we have begun to offer in-person workshops again! To arrange a c. 45-60 minute workshop at your school, simply get in contact: access.classics@ucd.ie or bridget.martin@ucd.ie. Please note that were are happy to continue offering virtual visits as well.
Below is a flavour of some of the activities and workshops we conduct. Skip to the bottom of the page to read some testimonials from schools!
Ancient Greek workshops!
During these workshops, we introduce students to the Ancient Greek alphabet and do a series of decoding exercises, deciphering some commonly used Ancient Greek words that we still use today!
Pottery painting!
Using some pottery “fragments”, we introduce students to the world of Greek painted pottery, particularly the fun and stylized paintings of Geometric pottery!
Artefact handling sessions!
Armed with a box of artefacts (some real and some replicas) kindly lent by the UCD Classical Museum, we help immerse students in the ancient world by presenting everyday objects, such as an oil lamp, a coin and a replica strigil!
A day in the life…
This interactive workshop asks students to create their own ‘day in the life’ in the ancient world by picking options to a series of questions. What are your options if you get a headache? What festival would you like to attend? Would you wear make-up laced with lead!?
Topic-specific workshops!
Working with teachers, we offer topic-specific workshops to students who currently study Classics, including Alexander the Great, the context of Greek tragedy, Oedipus, the ancient Olympics and Virgil.
Come see us in UCD!
We are delighted to welcome students to the UCD School of Classics! The School contains the UCD Classical Museum, which gives students the opportunity to see up close artefacts from around the ancient world, including Greece, Mycenae, Rome, Egypt and Cyprus. Visits to the museum can be arranged (depending on availability) through the museum curator. Information about the museum and contact details can be found here.
Testimonials
Sandymount Park Educate Together Secondary School, 2021
Some student feedback!
“I would definitely recommend this to other students because it would be useful for other people that want to learn about daily life in Ancient Greece.”
“I really enjoyed it as I learned about the origin of many words that we still use today.”
“It was really interesting and I really enjoyed how interactive it was.”
“I liked how interactive it was and the different choices kept me engaged throughout.”
“Dr Bridget was really enthusiastic and engaging which made the visit even more enjoyable.”
Dundrum College of Further Education, 2020
Our Level 5 Classical Studies students were thrilled to have a guest lecture this year from Dr Bridget Martin of UCD Classics. The lecture was so accessible, dynamic and engaging – pitched at just the right level, and giving the students a valuable insight into the study of Classics at third level. Bridget’s knowledge and passion for Greek tragedy really made the topic come alive for our students, and has inspired them to read the prescribed plays with new perspective. We really hope to collaborate with UCD Classics again in the future. (Sorcha Duggan, Classical Studies Teacher, Dundrum College of Further Education)
Mount Sackville Secondary School
We had the great privilege of Dr. Martin zooming into our first-year history class during the lockdown to talk about Ancient Rome. The lesson was tailored completely to the students’ questions and interests and Dr Martin provided a fascinating insight into the lives of Ancient Romans. The lesson provided a way for the students to engage with the information in a very accessible and meaningful way. Her enthusiasm for the material was infectious and the students greatly enhanced their knowledge of the topic in just a single forty-minute period. (Ciara Forristal, History Teacher, Mount Sackville Secondary School)
Blackrock College, 2019
Thanks to Access Classics for a wonderful series today. They spoke with 3rd years for a taste of Ancient Greek and 5th years on Classics at third level. TY had a fantastic opportunity to handle some objects from the Classical Museum, UCD. Not only was it a fantastic learning experience, but free and so easy to organise. We look forward to having you back. (Dr Louise Maguire, Head of Latin, Blackrock College)
Access Classics 