Zorin Set up
 

Just downloaded Zorin os core onto a flashdrive. I've been poking around but I can't find a way to locate and open software packages. Clues?

If you downloaded the Zorin iso file, you need to put it on a CD/DVD or flash drive to use it. More clarification on what exactly you did or what you used to get it on the flash drive. Downloading it to a flash drive won't make it usable, you need to use specific software designed to create make the flash drive bootable.

I'm not sure what "os core" means. Do you mean the installation iso image? If so, see yancek's comments above. You can use something like Unetbootin to create a bootable usb version.
jdk