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

Chastleton House

Unchanged for 400 years
Venue Type: 
Historic Buildings & Monuments
Overall Rating: 
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A rare gem of a Jacobean country house, Chastleton House was built between 1607 and 1612 by a prosperous wool merchant as an impressive statement of wealth and power.

Owned by the same increasingly impoverished family until 1991, the house remained essentially unchanged for nearly 400 years as the interiors and contents gradually succumbed to the ravages of time.

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Herschel Park

A hidden gem which is well worth a visit
Venue Type: 
Parks and Gardens
Overall Rating: 
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Herschel Park is a unique Grade II listed park, easily accessible in the centre of Slough. Consisting of the recently restored Victorian Pleasure Gardens and a newly created Nature Reserve, it has a rich history and amazing wildlife and plants to explore.

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Dyrham Park

Spectacular late 17th-century mansion, garden and deer park
Venue Type: 
Historic Buildings & Monuments
Overall Rating: 
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Explore 270 acres (110 hectares) of ancient parkland, where a historic herd of fallow deer roams freely and magnificent trees and breathtaking views abound.

Inside the impressive mansion, built by hard-working civil servant William Blathwayt, discover fascinating interiors little changed in 300 years, as well as a rich collection that includes superb Dutch art and ceramics of the period.

Young explorers can run free in the Old Lodge picnic and play area, take part in a nature trail and tick off challenges on their 50 things list, including pond-dipping and bug-hunting.

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Brandon Marsh Nature Centre

Venue Type: 
Environment Centres
Overall Rating: 
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Brandon Marsh is the ideal place for your school visit due to its excellent opportunities for learning about nature, wildlife and the environment. We have ponds, bird hides, meadows and woodlands all set within our 200 acre nature reserve. The Education Team can provide your school with a tailor made package for your day where you can cover up to four topics. We have excellent facilities for children of all ages as well as those with special educational needs. We also run holiday workshops, Nature Tots and Birthday parties.

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Culzean Castle & Country Park

Venue Type: 
Castles
Overall Rating: 
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With its dramatic clifftop setting, Robert Adam architecture, fascinating history and beautiful surroundings, it's easy to see why Culzean Castle is one of Scotland?s most popular visitor attractions.

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Foredown Tower Learning and Visitor Centre

Venue Type: 
Museums
Overall Rating: 
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Foredown Tower is a former water tower, built in 1909 as a water tower for the nearby isolation hospital. It is now a museum, running a wide range of Adult Learning classes, including Art and Craft, History, Science and the Environment and Computing. 

A highlight of a visit to Foredown is to climb the converted Edwardian water tower, to the viewing gallery which offers 360° views from the Isle of Wight to the South Downs and houses the largest camera obscura in south east England - a unique optical device that is used to observe the surrounding landscape, sun and sky.

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Far Peak Climbing and Outdoor Centre

Venue Type: 
Outdoor Activity
Overall Rating: 
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An outdoor activity centre and campsite, with a dedicated Indoor Climbing Centre. We have climbing facilities for ages 3 year and upwards, dedicated kids’ clubs and sessions and run regular Bushcraft and adventure activities using our low ropes course and trails.

Our huge site has plenty of woodland and parkland for you to explore and play in.

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Queen Elizabeth Country Park

Venue Type: 
Parks and Gardens
Overall Rating: 
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At Queen Elizabeth Country Park (voted the nation's favourite country park) you can:

  • Go on a leisurely walk through the beautiful woods and enjoy the scenery
  • Play on our playgrounds
  • Create mud art
  • Cycle
  • Barbeque
  • Learn about our outdoor habitats
  • Plus much more

Education

Many schools and groups use the Country Park throughout the year to deliver National Curriculum subjects including science, geography and creative writing.

Guided visits

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Exmoor Zoological Park

175 species, over 600 animals
Venue Type: 
Zoos / Wildlife Parks
Overall Rating: 
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Enjoy a day out in North Devon experiencing wildlife from around the world by visiting Exmoor Zoo! From the creepy crawlies of the Amazon to the wobbly wallaby joeys of Australia there are plenty of hands on activities with our animals for you to take part in.

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Folly Farm Centre

Venue Type: 
Environment Centres
Overall Rating: 
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The Folly Farm Centre is an environmental learning centre in the heart of the Chew Valley. Set in Avon Wildlife Trust's 250-acre nature reserve, it is an inspirational place to pick up new skills,  learn and engage with an exciting and diverse programme of courses.  Keep your eyes open for the wealth of wildlife in the woodlands and explore what lurks beneath the waters of the pond during the day or be immersed in the wonder of Folly Farm and the wildlife at night on one of our residential courses.

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