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

Venue Type: 
Environment Centres
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The centre, with its dedicated classroom, is a great base for exploring the wonderful heath and woodland of Witley and Milford Commons. It has all the facilities you will need, including a fire circle, dipping ponds and den building area. There are toilets and large sinks for washing little hands, and parking for coaches.

ACTIVITIES:

Venue Type: 
Adventure Playgrounds
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Planted over twenty years ago by brothers Lindsay and Edward Heyes, the fun of the aMazing Hedge Puzzle has made it Herefordshire's most popular private tourist attraction.

Their aMazing Hedge Puzzle is just right for games with your friends and family. Hide and seek, tag, or even kiss-chase. Find your way then play!

Think you know how to solve mazes? The Museum of Mazes will surprise you!

Why not take home some puzzling fun to share with your friends from the brilliant Puzzle Shop.

Venue Type: 
Transport
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In a narrow tree-lined valley just north of Lydney in Gloucestershire lies the Dean Forest Railway. Run almost entirely by volunteers it offers visitors the chance to soak up the sight, sounds and smells of travel on a rural branch railway operated by steam trains – and the occasional heritage diesel.

Venue Type: 
Maritime / Sea Life
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Begin your journey into the astounding underwater world by taking a look at the Giant Spider Crab and the Giant Pacific Octopus. These aquatic creatures amaze us with their ability to camoflage themselves with surrounding rocks and other ocean features.

Venue Type: 
Castles
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Unstaffed open site, no booking required

Magnificent Edwardian gardens flowing from grand vistas to intimate spaces overlooked by a large mansion
Venue Type: 
Parks and Gardens
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Dyffryn Gardens are an exceptional example of Edwardian garden design. Covering more than 55 acres they feature a stunning collection of intimate garden rooms including a rose garden, Pompeian garden and several ponds.

The enormous great lawn is bordered by seasonal bedding and a croquet lawn. There is also a large glasshouse, statuary collection, and arboretum featuring trees from all over the world.

Designed by eminent landscape architect Thomas Mawson in 1906, the gardens are the early 20th-century vision of coal magnate John Cory and his son Reginald.

Venue Type: 
Maritime / Sea Life
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The Lakes Aquarium brings your group face to face with a vast array of creatures from the furthest reaches of the globe – from fierce piranha and dainty seahorses, to menacing pike and diving ducks.

Whether you are looking for an educational visit or a fun trip out, the Lakes Aquarium is an all weather experience, suitable for all ages and abilities, ideally situated next to picturesque Lake Windermere.

For more information, please click on the relevant link below:

Venue Type: 
Maritime / Sea Life
Overall Rating: 
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Your school field trip to SEA LIFE will include:

  • Rockpool Experience – Get up close and personal with our creatures
  • Free Chaperone Tickets – 1 free Chaperone Ticket per every 5 Student Tickets purchased
  • Free educational talks throughout the day that your class can attend 
  • Free Teacher Preview Visit
  • Free Downloadable Resources

Education Programs:

FREE if your school group visits before Dececmber 31st!
Programs for the 2014 - 2015 School Year:

Meet the Creatures:

Far from the sea, but still a great view
Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
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Mariners Hill is much enjoyed by local people and dog walkers, who value its tranquil walks and excellent panoramic views of the Weald.

The wildlife in the area includes many native birds and an array of dead-wood invertebrates. The hill has several paths which form small circular walks or, for those with more time, there is the long-distance Greensand Way, which runs along the northern boundary.

Venue Type: 
Parks and Gardens
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Botanic Gardens is home to the Palm House and the Tropical Ravine.

The Palm House contains a range of tropical plants, hanging baskets, seasonal displays and birds of paradise, and is one of the earliest examples of a glasshouse made from curved iron and glass. It shows how advances in glasshouse technology allowed horticulturists to grow exotic plant species during the Victorian period.

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