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

Coniston and Little Langdale

Landscape of fell, meadow and woodland around Coniston Water
Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
Overall Rating: 
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At five miles long, and with a maximum depth of 184 feet, Coniston Water is the third largest of the lakes. It provided an important fish source for the monks of Furness Abbey who owned the lake and much of the surrounding land in the 13th and 14th Centuries.

More recently Coniston Water was used to transport slate and ore from the many mines worked in the Coppermines Valley above Coniston village. It has three small islands, all owned by the National Trust.

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Cleddau Woodlands

Take a break from the coast in these quiet, wooded backwaters
Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
Overall Rating: 
0

The sheltered waterway of the Cleddau runs from the county town of Haverfordwest down to Milford Haven. Along the way it passes Little Milford Wood, the ancient oak woodland of Lawrenny and tidal mudflats at West Williamston.

Remains of limekilns and former coal mines can be found at Little Milford and the rough pasture at West Williamston leads to large expanse of salt marsh and estuary shore and tidal creeks once quarried for limestone.

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Danbury Commons and Blakes Wood

Explore Essex's second largest area of common land after Epping Forest, a survivor of a lost way of life
Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
Overall Rating: 
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Lose yourself in 214 acres of heath, gorse and coppice encompassing a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), ancient woodland and military defences designed to give Napoleon a run for his money.

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Noss Mayo

Discover dramatic cliffs and the tranquil Yealm Estuary
Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
Overall Rating: 
0

Explore the quaint village of Noss Mayo situated at the mouth of the river Yealm.

Travel through the Passage Woods, ablaze with bluebells in the spring, to discover stunning coastal vistas. Admire wonderful views for miles around from the 19th-century Revelstroke Drive, and walk along the cliff paths to discover the remains of Napoleonic and Second World War sea defences at Stoke Point.

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Hembury and Holne Woods

Lichen-clad, ancient oak woodland valleys following the River Dart
Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
Overall Rating: 
0

Hembury and Holne contain two discreet woods on the south-eastern edge of Dartmoor National Park.

Perched at the top of Hembury Woods with far reaching views over Dartmoor, the iron-age Hembury Hill Fort gives you a real sense of what it would have been like to live in a protected palisade.

Holne Woods, meanwhile, offers a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of every day living.

Deep in the heart of the woods, at the base of dramatic rock covered cliffs strewn with windblown mature trees, lies a derelict Victorian pond.

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Nymans

A garden lovers' home for all seasons, with an extensive yet intimate garden set around a romantic house and ruins.
Venue Type: 
Parks and Gardens
Overall Rating: 
0

In the late 1800s Ludwig Messel bought the Nymans Estate in the Sussex High Weald to make a dream family house. Inspired by the wooded surroundings he created a garden with plants collected from around the world. Here this creative family entertained friends and family, enjoyed relaxing, playing and picnicking in the garden and woods. Today it is still a garden lovers' home - a place to relax all year round and enjoy a peaceful country garden.

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Magdalen Bridge Row Boats

Venue Type: 
Sports Clubs
Overall Rating: 
0

Rowing is fun and relaxing and a great way to spend a sunny afternoon on the river, pedalos and punts also available. You can hire the boat for an hour or if you want to make a day of it, just stay on the river as long as you like, simply returning the row boat to the boathouse before sunset.

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Divis and the Black Mountain

Divis and the Black Mountain offer spectacular views across Northern Ireland
Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
Overall Rating: 
0

The mountains rest in the heart of the Belfast Hills, which provide the backdrop to the city's skyline. The rich, varied archaeological landscape is home to a host of wildlife. There are walking trails along a variety of terrain: through heath, on stone tracks, along boardwalks and road surface.

The property contains the peaks of Divis Mountain, Black Mountain, Mount Gilbert and Armstrongs Hill, and also the headwaters of the Clady Water, Forth River, Ballygomartin River, Collin River and the Crumlin River.

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Cuckmere Valley

Flower-rich chalk grassland with stunning views of the Cuckmere River
Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
Overall Rating: 
0

With fantastic views of the Seven Sisters, Cuckmere Valley is a haven for wildlife, from over-wintering wildfowl to colourful wild flowers.

Cradle Valley is a wonderful example of this species-rich chalk grassland, attracting rare and colourful butterflies and plants in summer.

High and Over's dramatic river cliff has been carved out of the soft chalk by the river below. In 1836 a white horse was cut into the chalk on the steep scarp and it remains a popular natural attraction.

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Exmouth

Discover the gateway to the famous Jurassic Coast
Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
Overall Rating: 
0

Follow a clifftop walk with breathtaking views of the Jurassic coast with a night under the stars at Prattshayes caravan and campsite.

Exmouth countryside includes the impressive headland walk at Orcombe Point, the warm and friendly campsite and bunkhouse at Prattshayes and our tenanted farm at Lower Halsdon on the River Exe. An easy, level path above the beach at Exmouth is a peaceful haven from the holidaying crowds.

Look out for events happening at Lower Halsdon Farm, including hedge-laying, ranger walks and farm open days.

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