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

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
Overall Rating: 
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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.

Venue Type: 
Parks and Gardens
Overall Rating: 
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Formerly unimproved grazed farmland, this reserve has survived whilst the surrounding area has been built on. With areas of planted woodland, hazel coppice and elm thickets, there is a variety of bird life.

A mosaic of meadows, acid grassland and scrub dominates the south side, a particularly important area for butterflies such as small and large skippers, small heath, speckled wood and orange tip.

Species and Habitats

Habitats

An extraordinarily beautiful dune landscape
Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
Overall Rating: 
0

Murlough National Nature Reserve is a fragile 6000 year old sand dune system owned by the National Trust and managed as Ireland’s first Nature Reserve since 1967.  It is an excellent area for walking and bird watching due to its spectacular location at the edge of Dundrum Bay and the Mourne Mountains.

There is a network of paths and boardwalks through the dunes, woodland and heath from where you will see an array of butterflies and wild flowers, as well as access to one of the finest beaches in Co. Down.

Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
Overall Rating: 
0

By offering a variety of experiences in the outdoors - from Family Forest Days to Forest School Leadership and from targeted Forest Schools to  courses and special events- we engage a wide variety of people, to re-connect them to nature, and infuse them with our passion for the world around us. 

Venue Type: 
Parks and Gardens
Overall Rating: 
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Whitnash Brook forms the eastern limit of the built up area of Leamington and Sydenham. It contains a diverse mixture of habitats including the brook, marshy grassland and swamp, woodland, grassland, tall herb and scrub. The site attracts many birds both during the breeding season and at other times of the year and is attractive to many invertebrates.

This reserve is a 2km wildlife corridor with pond, marshy grassland and woodland. The reserve is noted for its invertebrates found in decaying wood within the brook. There is a footpath through the whole length of the site.

A beautiful sprawling wilderness to explore for retreat and adventure
Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
Overall Rating: 
0

The New Forest Northern Commons comprise of five commons that we care for. Each one is a unique landscape of woodland, heathland, mire and grassland, shaped by man and nature since the Bronze Age.

A thriving working forest, the sense of tradition and rural practices remain today. The beautiful sprawling wilderness offers opportunity for both retreat and adventure. Whether escaping life's ever increasing pace, rambling through open spaces and woodlands with friends and family, or just finding a quiet spot to unwind in.

Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
Overall Rating: 
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Daffern's Wood was declared the first Local Nature Reserve in North Warwickshire on 29th April 2013.

Daffern's Wood is an Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland dating back to 1600 and is irreplaceable. Ancient woodlands are an important habitat for many rare and threatened species of animals and plants. We need to conserve what remains for future generations.

Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
Overall Rating: 
0

Abbey Green Park is one of four green spaces in North Warwickshire dedicated as Local Nature Reserves.

Abbey Green LNR is situated within the larger Abbey Green Park along its northern boundary. A series of backwater channels connecting to the River Anker intersect the site. 

Abbey Green Park was created after the land was open cast coal mined in the 1950's and early 1960's. The Council acquired the site in 1972.

The site is situated in the Anker Valley and is one of several important wildlife sites interconnected by the River Anker.

Venue Type: 
Parks and Gardens
Overall Rating: 
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Tŷ Mawr Country Park lies on the banks of the River Dee in the beautiful Vale of Llangollen, part of the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is located adjacent to Cefn Viaduct, built by Thomas Brassey in 1848 to carry the Shrewsbury and Chester Railway across the valley of the River Dee.

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