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

Farm Shop, Butchery, nature trail, restaurant and activities
Venue Type: 
Farms
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Jimmy’s Farm caters to large or small groups seeking education and/or adventure!

We offer formally structured courses for children and young people…

Visits to Jimmy’s Farm can be tailored to match your needs and are led at all times by our Educational Visits Organiser Peter Sugar and his team of experienced leaders. These visits can be attended by schools or groups of individuals and are not only informative but offer an experience which is fun!!

We are passionate about sharing our environment and knowledge here on the farm……

Venue Type: 
Historic Buildings & Monuments
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Middleton Hall is a "unique" Grade II-listed country house in Staffordshire. The hall shows evidence of several phases of English domestic architecture from the late thirteenth to the early nineteenth century. There is a fine Great Hall that is of Tudor origin, which makes a classic setting for weddings, for performances and for parties.

The Hall was the home of some notable people and was visited by many figures from history. Included among these is Queen Elizabeth I, who certainly spent two nights under its roof after the festivities at Kenilworth in 1575.

12th-century Welsh castle, historic house and 18th-century landscape park, enclosing a medieval deer park
Venue Type: 
Castles
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A magical land of power and influence for more than 2,000 years, Dinefwr Park and Castle is an iconic place in the history of Wales. Two forts are evidence of a dominant Roman presence. The powerful Lord Rhys held court at Dinefwr and influenced decisions in Wales.

The visionaries, George and Cecil Rice designed the superb 18th-century landscape that you see today.

The 'hands-on' Newton House gives visitors an atmospheric circa 1912 experience. Exhibitions on the first floor tell Dinefwr's story and inspire visitors to explore the castle and park.

Spectacular walks, secluded beaches and exceptional views
Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
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A spectacular coastline, combined with a lively working Cornish port, lends this area its unique character and charm. 

There's a network of footpaths to discover, making the area great walking country, with the South West Coast Path offering sweeping views and a few hilly challenges.

Beaches and woodlands offer plenty of opportunities for families to explore, with a wealth of history, wildlife and watersport activities to try out.

Venue Type: 
Parks and Gardens
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Welcome to the National Botanic Garden of Wales. The first botanic garden of the new millennium is 568 acres of beautiful Carmarthenshire countryside, about an hour west of Cardiff. It is easy to get to but hard to forget.

Glorious gardens overlooking the River Thames.
Venue Type: 
Historic Buildings & Monuments
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Set high above the Thames with far-reaching views, Cliveden’s impressive gardens and majestic woodlands capture the grandeur of a bygone age.

Follow in the footsteps of dukes, earls and royalty as you explore a series of gardens, each with their own special charm. From the formality of the Parterre with its vibrant floral displays to the quirky statuary and topiary in the Long Garden, the gardens will delight you in every season.

Venue Type: 
Parks and Gardens
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Two nature reserves, a huge open field, busy Countryside Centre with cafe facilities, adventure play area and easy access from the city or the motorway, make this site very popular with a variety of visitors. Whether you are looking for birds, swings, coffee, flowers, footpaths or all of these and more, you've come to the right place at Worcester Woods Country Park.

The Orchard Cafe

The North's Premier Maritime Attraction
Venue Type: 
Maritime / Sea Life
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Hartlepool's Maritime Experience, (formerly known as Hartlepool Historic Quay) is a superb re-creation of an 18th century seaport and a fantastic place to visit for families, groups and schools - in fact everybody. It brings to life the time of Nelson, Napoleon and the Battle of Trafalgar.

Travel back in our mari-time machine to experience how it was aboard a real British naval frigate, two centuries ago. Explore the historic quayside, featuring 'Pressganged', 'Fighting Ships', realistic period shops and houses and much more.

Late 15th-century stone house
Venue Type: 
Historic Buildings & Monuments
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Little Clarendon was built in the late 15th century for a family of some local distinction, but its origins and early history remain mysterious.

It was sold to Reverend George Engleheart and his wife in 1901 with several acres of land and two cottages. They restored Little Clarendon, reopening fire places, exposing the beamed ceilings and making repairs. The house is furnished as it was in their day.

Engleheart set up greenhouses and long numbered beds with broad grass walks between them for his daffodils of which he bred many important new varieties.

Venue Type: 
Museums
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The natural world is incredible!  And Portsmouth is a very special place for wildlife in Britain. It has many different habitats in a very small area, and at Portsmouth Natural History Museum you can explore them all.

The museum tells the story of the wild things of the riverbank, marshes, woods and urban areas of Portsmouth. Have a look for the heron stalking its prey and the Brent geese coming into land after their 3,000 km flight from the arctic.

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