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: 
Historic Buildings & Monuments
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Unstaffed open site, no booking required

Venue Type: 
Historic Buildings & Monuments
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Unstaffed open site, no booking required

Venue Type: 
Themed Attractions
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LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort is an exciting place with thrills and fun for the whole family.

Play your part at the LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort with over 55 interactive rides and attractions. Fly through the treetops to escape fearsome dragons, ride the thrilling rapids with a Viking Fleet, join LEGO® divers on a magical underwater adventure on Atlantis Submarine Voyage or enjoy the UK’s only LEGO® Star Wars™ Miniland Model Display.

Plus stay at the new Resort Hotel featuring fully themed bedrooms and splash pool. 

Venue Type: 
Historic Buildings & Monuments
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Unstaffed open site, no booking required

Venue Type: 
Religious Buildings
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Unstaffed open site, no booking required

Venue Type: 
Museums
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From the world's first industrial city to 24-hour party capital, MOSI takes you on a journey through Manchester's heritage with sights, sounds and even smells! You can see what it was like to work in a cotton mill during one of our textile demonstrations, see one of the world's largest collections of working steam mill engines or even venture into a Victorian sewer. You can watch a show or you can take one of our walking tours.

Our exhibits include:

An impressive flank of open downland
Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
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Chillerton Down and the land around Gatcombe village is a beautiful area of downland, farmed and wooded valleys hidden away in the middle of the Isle of Wight.

It is partly owned by the National Trust and partly protected by National Trust covenants to preserve the beauty of the landscape.

While many people head for the beautiful and dramatic coast you can include this area in some lovely walks particularly between Newport and Shorwell.

Venue Type: 
Castles
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Unstaffed open site, no booking required

Venue Type: 
Castles
Overall Rating: 
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Unstaffed open site, no booking required

Venue Type: 
Castles
Overall Rating: 
0

Unstaffed open site, no booking required

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