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

Ben Lomond

Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
Overall Rating: 
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Rising from the east shore of Loch Lomond to a height of 974m (3,193ft), Ben Lomond offers exhilarating walking and spectacular views across Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park.

The Trust cares for almost 22km2 of land here, including the summits of Ben Lomond, Ptarmigan and Beinn Uird. The mountain is one of Scotland’s most popular hill walks, with over 30,000 people climbing to the summit each year.

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The Burrell Collection

Creative fun in the countryside
Venue Type: 
Art Gallery
Overall Rating: 
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​​​​​​In the heart of Pollok Country Park, this award-winning building houses a unique collection in a beautiful woodland setting. The Burrell Collection is one of the greatest ever created by one person, comprising over 8,000 objects.

Our displays range from work by major artists including Rodin, Degas and Cézanne, to important examples of late medieval art, Chinese and Islamic art, Ancient Civilizations and much more.

The Burrell regularly hosts temporary exhibitions, and runs an extensive programme of events and activities for both adults and families with children.​​

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Hardcastle Crags

Beautiful wooded valley with 19th-century Gibson Mill at its heart
Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
Overall Rating: 
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A beauty spot of the South Pennines with more than 160 hectares (400 acres) of unspoilt woodland.

As well as being the home of the northern hairy wood ant, there are tumbling streams, glorious waterfalls and stacks of millstone grit, all crisscrossed by more than 15 miles (24km) of footpaths.

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Kingswood Isle of Wight

Covering 100 acres of beautiful fields and woodlands in a superb clifftop location, overlooking Whitecliff Bay
Venue Type: 
Outdoor Activity
Overall Rating: 
0

Situated on the enchanting Isle of Wight, with stunning views over Whitecliff Bay and direct beach access, this centre an instant hit with students and teachers alike

Located in a Site of Special Scientific Interest, providing the perfect destination for environmental and history studies along the dramatic Jurassic Coast

A specialist team of watersports experts conducting an array of sea-based pursuits, from raft building to body boarding and kayaking

About Isle of Wight 

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King Alfred's Tower

Venue Type: 
Historic Buildings & Monuments
Overall Rating: 
0

If you are visiting nearby Stourhead then why not walk half a mile or so to see one of the great follies of the UK.

Follow the blue waymarkers on this circular walk of historic interest, through beautiful woodlands to King Alfred's Tower. The route then continues to Grade I listed St. Peter's Pump, through Six Wells valley and past Stourhead House.

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The House on Crutches Museum

Venue Type: 
Museums
Overall Rating: 
0

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.

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Brownsea Island

Famous for our red squirrels, wildlife and Scouting
Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
Overall Rating: 
0

Brownsea Island is dramatically located in Poole Harbour, with spectacular views across to the Purbeck Hills.

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Down House

Where Charles Darwin Lived and Worked
Venue Type: 
Historic Buildings & Monuments
Overall Rating: 
0

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.

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Ennerdale

Home of the Wild Ennerdale project with 30 miles of traffic-free paths
Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
Overall Rating: 
0

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

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Lyn and Exmoor Museum

Venue Type: 
Museums
Overall Rating: 
0

A charming small museum with collections of agricultural and domestic tools from Lynton and Exmoor. Also maritime, railway, and natural history. Unique pictures of the Lynmouth Flood, and a Victorian dolls' house. 

Housed in Lynton's oldest surviving domestic dwelling, it even includes its own ghost!

Natural History

A collection of stuffed birds (including a Golden Eagle found storm-battered on Exmoor in 1920) and small mammals. These are housed in our "ghost" room! Visit us to find out the story behind this.

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