At St Catherine's we are aiming to offer a learning experience to visiting schools and groups that uses the landscape as a personal stimulus for the wider issues of sustainability.
Science
Science
What is it?
The word science comes from the Latin term "scientia" meaning knowledge, which reasonably accurately sums up what it's all about; the modern definition of scientific practice is the organisation and understanding of knowledge to form reasonable explanations about the universe.
What does it involve?
Science can be applied to almost anything in the world, so involves a great variety of things! In general, science concerns itself with understand the way things work, and how they came to be in the first place. Learning about science often includes experiments and demonstrations that help you to understand the ideas that are being presented to you e.g. putting dirty pennies into an acidic solution to demonstrate the chemical reaction between the acid and the copper of the pennies.
Why do it and what are the benefits?
Having an understanding of science has many benefits! It encourages students to be curious about the world around them, and develops patience, communication and perseverance. Scientific study is also good for encouraging students to form their own opinions about things after thorough research instead of taking things at face value; it's great for sparking off independent thought.
What equipment do we need?
Equipment needs will depend entirely on the activity! Chemistry will require a fair bit of apparatus, but science is by no means limited to classroom chemical reactions. Simple activities such as going outside and learning about the flowers and insects is science, and requires no equipment at all! If you are unsure what you may need to provide for any given trip, contact the venue ahead of time and make enquiries!
Who is it suitable for?
Science is a great activity for those of all ages! The sheer variety of subjects that can include science guarantees that everybody will be interested somehow, and the complexity of the information can be adjusted for different age groups' level of understanding.
Costs?
This will depend entirely on the type of activity. Some venues may have free access to their facilities but charge for time spent with an instructor, and others may charge you one entry fee and then free access to everything available inside. You will need to check out what sort of things are available in your area to get an idea of what costs will apply to what activities.
Issues/Things to think about? (unsuitable for age groups, medical conditions etc)
If the activity involves chemicals or similar substances, you must exercise extreme caution with young children! If you are not confident in the safety of your students then you may wish to adjust the activity or increase the supervision!
How do we include?
The easiness of including those with disabilities will heavily depend on the type of activity - the best thing to do would be to consult the venue ahead of time with the details of your students and see what their set up is.
Doing it abroad?
Science is present all over the world! There are likely to be fun scientific activities wherever you go, especially if a venue caters for school groups - do some research ahead of time to see what's available at your destination.
Main website:
Check out specific venue websites for activity information.
Venues with this Activity
Offering tours of the steam pumping engines, rides on London's only narrow gauge railway, education in the Waterworks interactive gallery, and the Splashzone hands on water engineering play lab!
Come and discover the story of London's water supply and witness stationary steam pumping engines in action.
Our aim is to enable young people to develop through taking part in outdoor activities in a fun and safe environment. This simple aim has led us to develop our Centre that rivals commercially run Centres in terms of both facilities and activity provision.
As we are a charity we are able to maintain excellent value for money.
See a bus so old it was pulled along the street by horses. Get behind the driver's seat of our tube train simulator, experience journeys of a bygone era. Your only problem will be trying to fit it all in!
School Trips
Opened in 1865 the Watercress Line connected rural Hampshire to the heart fo London by rail. It got its name from the fresh produce it carried to the city making the movement of fresh produce in bulk a realistic possibility allowing urbanisation and fuelling the Industrial Revolution.
So much more than just tanks!
The tank was a British invention that changed warfare for ever when it was introduced in the First World War and Bovington has been the home of the tank ever since.
At The Tank Museum we bring the history of tanks and tank crew to life… Supported by the world’s best collection of tanks & action packed live displays.
Featuring the iconic skyline of Pen y Fan, Corn Du and Cribyn
The Brecon Beacons offer a spectacular landscape rich in natural beauty. Free from light and noise pollution it's the perfect respite from the chaos of modern life. Whether you're seeking challenging walks, wide open spaces or secluded waterfalls, the Brecon Beacons provides the best of them all.
The Harrington Aviation Museums comprise the Carpetbagger Aviation and Secret War Museum and the Northamptonshire Aviation Society Museum.
These museums offer a rare look at life on this Top Secret base of the 801st/492nd American Eighth Air Force Bombardment Group during World War 2.
Perfect for those interested in locomotives and kids who just want to see something fun and different. Running on coal fired steam and diesel engines, you'll enjoy your ride, taking in all the sights as you head down the tracks.
A museum with over 50 micro cars from the 50s and 60s, plus scooters on display, a row of recreated shops to explore, and loads of memorabilia to look at.
Some of these displays are pretty entertaining, and others are through provoking.
The Robey Trust , based at the New Perseverance Ironworks, is a charity dedicated to continuing the traditions of the Robey Engineering Company of Lincoln. This involves not only the maintenance in working order of many Robey engines, the vast majority of them steam engines, but also continuing and transmitting to coming generations the expertise required to preserve and run these machines.
Based in an eco-refurbished Victorian former terraced house in Sheffield, South Yorkshire Energy Centre (SYEC) demonstrates the practicalities of Green refurbishment and renewable energy and offers advice, training, education, consultancy and project management to a wide variety of clients, as well as providing Sheffield's first Green Building Service.
Take a ride on this fun narrow gauge railway that trundles through the heart of Sherwood Forest which runs for one mile through the area's farm land with two crossings a tunnel and a couple of stations cute 5/8ths scale locomotives the kids will love pulling open carriages behind them.
Welcome to our newly renovated education centre in a historic stable block, with purpose-built dipping pond, tree trail, arable fields and recently-planted orchard. Children can explore our 300 year-old farm and our varied woodland.
White knuckle and family rides, toddler fun and fantastic family shows, including live entertainment and animal antics. New Feature: Furry Friends Farm and Tractor Ride!
Pleasure Island Theme Park is still the best value day out on the East Coast with its fantastic package of over 50 rides and attractions including their newest feature Furry Friends Farm and Tractor Ride!
Lambing weekends in the spring, monthly country food fayres, and we have our famous and unique 'living manger' prior to Christmas.
A family run farm that offers open farm days, alpaca experiences and birthday parties. Abbots View Alpacas is an excellent place to learn about these inquistive animals and take them for a walk around the farm’s 22 acres.
There are also miniature ponies to meet, plus pigs, ducks, rabbits and guinea pigs.
Visit the famous farm for the lambing weekends and have a truly unique experience! Ride the miniature railway and enjoy homemade refreshments!
Amnerfield Railway
Including such gems as Arty Party, play areas and the Children's Farm this is easily an afternoon's worth if you have the weather.
Not only can you see a wide variety of Children's Pets such as Rabbits and Guinea Pigs, there is also a large selection of various breeds of Poultry, Pygmy Goats, Ducks and Geese, Deer, Sheep and a kune kune pig.
Meet the Animals is held every day at 11 am and again at 2 pm, bottle and hand feeding of lambs and kids all year round, plus feeding the pigs and cattle, egg collecting, goat and ferret walking. A wonderful hands on experience and great fun.
The Churnet Valley Railway takes you on a journey back to the classic days of railway travel on a rural line that passes through beautiful countryside known as Staffordshire's "Little Switzerland".
Our picturesque stations offer lots of interest with a complete range of visitor facilities, and there's plenty more to see and enjoy along the way.
Originally the Police Station and Courthouse, the Museum is opposite St. Mary's Church in the centre of Axminster. Visitors may discover the old police cells which have now been incorporated into the Arts Cafe adjacent to the Museum.
The Look Out Discovery Centre has over 90 exhibits suitable for children of all ages. Toddlers and younger children love the indoor stream, mini supermarket and soft play area. Older children through to adults will be fascinated by the hands-on science exhibits and puzzles.
Welcome to our Wonderful World
BeWILDerwood is 50 acres of wild, outdoor treehouse adventure park. Treehouses, zip wires, jungle bridges, Crocklebogs, boat trips, marsh walks and adventure!
BeWILDerwood is a wild and imaginative adventure park with magical treehouses and a hint of intriguing characters, bringing a curious difference to the Norfolk Broads.
Westhay Moor is a beautiful nature reserve to explore with its shimmering lakes and reed beds, birds singing and signs of life all around.
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Featured Provider
The Bushcraft Company offer residential school trips with a difference, taking students into the wild and giving them real back-to-nature experiences they will never forget.
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