Science

Science

The teaching and learning of science can take many forms due to the large number of branches of the discipline, but all of them involve a large element of  doing things, of experimenting, of making and breaking, of trying out new ideas, whether at primary or secondary level. This has been appreciated by museums and visitors centres, so that we now have a plethora of possibilities.

The Association for Science Education is the lead body helping schools to develop their teaching and learning. It offers support for primary and secondary science subject leaders, teachers and schools, and keeps schools abreast of curriculum and assessment changes and reforms. The Association aims to enrich science teaching and learning with free resources, which can be found at: www.schoolscience.co.uk

Some venues are obviously specifically suitable for science groups, but others, which are more cross-curricular, are less obvious. Below we give staff a pointer to these as well as making it easy to access the websites of the well known attractions.

CERN, the European Organisation for Nuclear Research, has long been popular with British school groups. It is celebrating 60 years this year and is encouraging teachers to look at its Cern Education website.

CAT, the Centre for Alternative Technology in Machynlleth, is also celebrating a major birthday this year – its 40th. It is a very different experience from CERN, but fascinating nonetheless.

We should draw your attention to the fact that farm visits are popular with primary schools and there is a growing number of farms offering excellent opportunities – from feeding animals to driving tanks. But there are some stringent health and safety rules to be observed. For advice and guidance please contact Handsam by calling 0844 335 1737 or emailing info@schooltripsadvisor.org.uk.

 

Main organisations:

British Science Association

Association for Science Education

CLEAPSS

Membership through Handsam

Radiation Protection Officer services through Handsam

Science Learning Centres

National STEM Centre

Inclusion: NASEN

 

Thought of visiting?

The Science Museum

Natural History Museum

National Space Museum

Centre for Alternative Technology

Cern Education website

ThinkTank, Birmingham

Michael Faraday Museum, London

National Conservation Centre, Liverpool

Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester

Techniquest (various locations in Wales including Cardiff, Wrexham and Pembrokeshire)

The Wellcome Collection, London

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Earth Centres

 

For a complete list of venues and providers who deliver specialist courses and activities for this subject see below

Venue Type: 
Parks and Gardens
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Polkemmet Country Park is a beautiful 68-hectare park in the heart of Scotland's Lothian region. The Park offers beautiful woodland and riverside walks, play area and picnic areas with seating.

You can walk, cycle, play in our 'miner's play area', go horse riding or orienteering, play golf and end the day by hiring a BBQ to cook a tasty meal.

Kept by Rangers, there are a number of Ranger-led activities for you to enjoy.

Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
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Corrieshalloch may mean ‘Ugly Hollow’ in Gaelic, but there is nothing ugly about Corrieshalloch Gorge National Nature Reserve, a deep tree-shrouded chasm and beauty spot that cuts through a Highland wilderness rich in flora and fauna. Corrieshalloch is a slot gorge, or box-canyon, that was cut as far back as 2.6million years ago by Ice Age glacial meltwater.

The River Droma forges through the gorge, dramatically dropping 100 metres in just 1.25km through a series of waterfalls, including the thunderous 45m high Falls of Measach.

Ancient common once owned by King Harold and William the Conqueror
Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
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Holmwood Common is at the heart of the local community and is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered by all. It’s just off the A24 (south of Dorking), so why not break a car journey south to the coast with a stop? Stretch your legs and explore...

Dappled woodland and sunny clearings greet you – beautiful countryside for walking, horse riding and cycling. The common is fairly flat and ideal for families to explore, but it can be wet underfoot. Great fun though for kids who like squelching in mud with their brightly coloured wellies.

Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
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At the Linn of Tummel you can enjoy a beautiful circular woodland walk alongside the contrasting rivers of the slow flowing gentle Garry and the fast-flowing Tummel, rushing over rapids.

The property and its setting exemplifies the basic elements of the much-lauded Highland Perthshire scenery. There is a large area of mixed woodland and fields here, which are home to a rich variety of wildlife.

Cotswold countryside within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
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This beautiful Cotswold countryside, which we manage jointly with Gloucestershire County Council, boasts a wide variety of habitats and plants. The limestone grassland is extremely rich in plants, which in turn support a large variety of insects, especially butterflies.

Crickley Hill is a prominent spur of the Cotswold escarpment. It overlooks the Severn Vale, with magnificent views towards Robinswood Hill and May Hill, and the Brecon Beacons and Black Mountain beyond.

Venue Type: 
Zoos / Wildlife Parks
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Our zoo has a variety of animals, but we specialise in two particular areas - tigers and lemurs. Our keepers have their own specific sections, which allows them to get to know the personalities of the animals in their care very well. Why not explore this section and find out which our of animals are the headstrong type, which are the softies and which like to keep the keepers on their toes?

Or you can find out how the keeper keep the animals on their toes with Environmental Enrichment - activities designed to stimulate natural behaviour. 

Pembrokeshire's very edge from here on it's sea and islands.
Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
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The Marloes Peninsula combines dramatic coastal scenery and safe bathing on golden sands. You can look out for seabirds and seals and the remains of ancient peoples. There are walks for all abilities starting from the National Trust car parks at Marloes Sands and Martins Haven.

A picturesque walk from wooded glen to hilltop rath
Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
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Lisnabreeny takes in wooded glen, estate and green field to the summit of the Castlereagh hills on the edge of east Belfast.

The path hugs the sides of Cregagh glen as it climbs through pools of sunlight cast by the trees. You’ll hear the waterfall, but also keep an eye out for the carpets of bluebell and wood anemone in spring.

Near the top of the glen, pause a moment at the memorial marking a temporary graveyard for American servicemen during the second world war.

A vast sandy beach, high cliffs and dramatic coves
Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
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Godrevy's awe-inspiring expanse of sandy beach leads on to wildlife rich headlands and the dramatic coves of the North Cliffs and Western Hill.

Set at the far end of St Ives Bay, Godrevy beach is popular for surfers, families, walkers, nature watchers and those who simply want to sit and admire the view.

Venue Type: 
Parks and Gardens
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For fantastic family fun and excitement, enjoy a day at one of the UK's biggest bird gardens, discover a beautiful natural setting of woodland, river and water gardens that are inhabited by over 500 birds, flamingos, pelicans, colourful parrots to laughing kookaburras and magical owls.

Birdland is home to the only group of King Penguins in the country, whose antics you can observe up-close-and-personal as they cohabit with the comical Humboldt penguins.

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