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

Ragley Hall

Venue Type: 
Historic Buildings & Monuments
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Ragley Hall was first opened in 1958 and the State Rooms were gradually restored to their former glory. The 8th Marquess made his mark on Ragley by commissioning Graham Rust to create a modern mural, The Temptation, in the South Staircase Hall which took fourteen years to complete and features several family members and pets.

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Boscastle

A sheltered natural inlet with an unspoilt harbour village
Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
Overall Rating: 
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There's more to Boscastle than a picturesque natural harbour and village.

The Elizabethan quay sits in an impressive amphitheatre of steep cliffs and is home to quaint stone-built cottages, shops and tea-rooms.

Much of the land in and around Boscastle is owned by the Trust. Venture beyond the picture-postcard harbour and a cliff path takes you to the Willapark headland and an intriguing ex-folly, now used as a Coastwatch lookout.

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Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium

Venue Type: 
Maritime / Sea Life
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Most of us think of “fish” when we hear the word aquarium, here in Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium we like to do things a little differently! We already have Penguins since 2011 and new for this year we have our new Creepy Crawly exhibit. Who knows what will come for our 20th year anniversary next year!!!

Oceanworld Aquarium is committed to conservation and preservation of all marine and freshwater systems and their unique flora and fauna through education and research support.

Gentoo Penguins

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WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo

Venue Type: 
Zoos / Wildlife Parks
Overall Rating: 
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What you can expect from a school excursion to WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo:

WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo lets you experience the animals and ecosystems of a range of Australian habitats, allowing your class to identify the different requirements of Australian flora and fauna.

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Sea Life Aquarium at Legoland California Resort

Venue Type: 
Maritime / Sea Life
Overall Rating: 
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SEA LIFE Aquarium is designed to be a child’s first interactive guide to the life of the sea, combining active, hands-on learning with fascinating educational talks, and opportunities to have up close and personal encounters with a variety of sea creatures.

Bring your class to SEA LIFE Aquarium for an immersive experience. Journey from the High Sierras and the San Francisco Bay, to ocean tunnels and touch pools where you can explore the creatures that live in them. Discover the habitats of sharks, rays, seahorses and more!

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Sea Life Speyer

Venue Type: 
Maritime / Sea Life
Overall Rating: 
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Take advantage of the SEA LIFE Speyer as an attractive, non-school setting for school class visits. Motivate your students with a trip to where they experience native and tropical habitats of the oceans up close and learn with all senses.

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Robin Hill Adventure Park & Gardens

Venue Type: 
Parks and Gardens
Overall Rating: 
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One of the best visitor attractions on the Isle of Wight to bring your school or group to.

The park’s 88 acres give plenty of room for your party to run free and let off some steam, and with its big mix of features and attractions, it makes a whole day out and excellent value for money compared to smaller attractions whose pound-per-hour value is very much smaller. It’s no wonder nearly 16,000 school pupils come through our gates each year to enjoy the park.

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Fordhall Farm

Venue Type: 
Farms
Overall Rating: 
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Fordhall Farm is an inspiring example of how farming can become a force for sustainable education and change as well as a producer of fine, local organic food. Located on the outskirts of Market Drayton in North Shropshire, Fordhall Farm is now owned by an Industrial and Provident Society made up of 7500 shareholders from across the UK and further afield. 

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Cley Hill

Distinctive landmark rich in wildlife and archaeology with a tremendous panorama
Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
Overall Rating: 
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Once part of the Longleat estate, the hill was entrusted to us by the 6th Marquess of Bath. Ascend the hill to enjoy extensive views of West Wiltshire and Somerset, or to experience uninterrupted views of the sky from this locally famous UFO hotspot.

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National Sea Life Centre, Ireland

Venue Type: 
Maritime / Sea Life
Overall Rating: 
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SEA LIFE Bray offers an interactive, hands-on visit for schools, groups and birthday parties. With an array of amazing creatures and our helpful and knowledgeable staff on hand to answer questions and offer amazing facts about the creatures that you'll see, this is an inspiring visit for all. A day out at SEA LIFE Bray will leave you with fantastic memories and feeling empowered to make a difference to the underwater world.

Embark on a journey of Amazing Discovery...

...when your class visits National Sea Life Centre, an all-weather aquarium on Bray’s seafront.

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