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: 
Factory Visits & Industry
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A 10-km (6.5 mile) underground track between Paddington Station and Whitechapel sorting offices, it was served by a fleet of 2-ft gauge driverless electric trains, once transporting 30,000 mailbags containing four million letters and packets every day.

Venue Type: 
Battlefield / Military
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The Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum is housed in two towers of Caernarfon Castle. In it you will discover the history of over 300 years of service by Wales’s oldest infantry.

At the museum, you will learn how the Regiment won 14 Victoria Crosses and hear the words of the famous writers who served with the Royal Welch during the First World War: Siegfried Sassoon, Robert Graves, “Hedd Wyn”, David Jones and Frank Richards.  

A traditional English landscape
Venue Type: 
Farms
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Outridge is an 80 acre farm set on the side of Toy's Hill. It has an impressive grade 2 listed square oast house and piggery located in its centre and is home to the Octavia Hill basecamp.

This place gives a fantasic feel of openness and freedom in stark contrast to Toy's Hill. Outridge is a marvellous place to enjoy a peaceful relaxing walk, admire fine views over the north downs and discover the wildlife it supports.

Hop Production

Dramatic moorland rock formations
Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
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Explore Brimham Rocks, and have a great day out at nature's playground. 

This amazing collection of weird and wonderful rock formations makes a great day out for families, climbers and those wanting to enjoy the simple pleasures of fresh air and magnificent views over Nidderdale.

Let your imagination run wild as you explore the labyrinth of paths through this unique landscape.

Keep an eye out for some fantastically shaped rocks. Spot the Dancing Bear, The Eagle and The Gorilla, crawl through The Smartie Tube and balance on the Rocking Stones.

Venue Type: 
Museums
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A museum set in a remarkable building that holds an extensive collection that covers the many aspects of life and social history in Bishop’s Castle and the surrounding area. Free to visit. Restricted opening times as run by volunteers.

The House on Crutches Museum tells the story of the unique town of Bishop’s Castle, using a variety of displays and temporary exhibition in a series of themed rooms.

The kitchen is the first room that you enter, and will give kids a chance to learn about domestic life, including washday! There are also some costumes for them to try on.

Famous for our red squirrels, wildlife and Scouting
Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
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Brownsea Island is dramatically located in Poole Harbour, with spectacular views across to the Purbeck Hills.

Where Charles Darwin Lived and Worked
Venue Type: 
Historic Buildings & Monuments
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With its unique place in the history of science, Down House, the home of Victorian scientist Charles Darwin (1809–82), is one of the major visitor attractions in the South East. Down House was Darwin's home from 1842 until his death 40 years later. Situated in the rural Kent village of Downe, the house offered the peace and privacy that Darwin needed to work on his revolutionary scientific theories.

Home of the Wild Ennerdale project with 30 miles of traffic-free paths
Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
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Lying on the north western edge of the Lake District National Park, Ennerdale is home to some of England’s most vibrant natural environments and one of the longest running wild land restoration projects in the UK. The Wild Ennerdale Partnership is allowing the landscape to evolve naturally with reducing human intervention and invites you to explore this unique valley and experience its special sense of wildness.

Wild Water, Forests, Mountains

Valleys of many delights
Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
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The valleys descend from the highest and wildest mountains all the way to the beautiful sandy beaches on Cumbria’s peaceful western coast. The landscape provides everything from grandeur and beauty to tranquillity and remoteness.

Tranquil area of dramatic fells, farms and woodland, encompassing three lakes
Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
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Buttermere in Old English means 'the lake by the dairy pastures'. Large numbers of Vikings settled in Cumbria during the 9th and 10th centuries and many names in the area are of Norse origin.

One of the most famous residents is Mary Robinson (1778-1837). Known as the Maid of Buttermere and the subject of Melvyn Bragg's novel, she was the daughter of the landlord of the Fish Inn in Buttermere village.

The wider Buttermere valley covers Crummock Water and Loweswater village and lake. The location is ideal for relaxing holidays and exploring.

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