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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Set in the internationally renowned Orford Ness nature reserve, the Orford Ness Pagodas are cold war relics on a shingle spit in Suffolk, built to test Britain’s atomic bombs. Here the bombs’ detonators were put in pits and subjected to the shocks they might experience on their way to a target, to ensure they wouldn’t go off prematurely. The detonators were non-nuclear but could still have been devastating if they had exploded, so heavy hats were put over the pits to control the blast, which are among the most enigmatic of the many concrete objects built to defend Britain.

Venue Type: 
Museums
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St Bartholemew's is the largest NHS Trust in the UK serving a population of 2.5 million in east London and beyond and our hospitals have long and important histories.

They each have maintained a distinguished medical and nursing tradition throughout their history and claim many eminent physicians and surgeons amongst their past and present alumni and staff.

Venue Type: 
Parks and Gardens
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The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) was founded in the 17th century as a physic garden. Now it extends over four Gardens boasting a rich living collection of plants, and is a world-renowned centre for plant science and education.

Explore Britain's biggest gorge from the dramatic cliffs rising 450ft to the stunning stalactite caverns
Venue Type: 
Outdoor Activity
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Cheddar Gorge is one of England's most iconic and spectacular landscapes. We are really proud to own the north side of this spectacular gorge and we hope that you will enjoy exploring it in a way that suits you.

Venue Type: 
Museums
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The National Memorial Arboretum is the perfect venue for developing an understanding of Remembrance, memorials and the impact of conflict. It provides a relaxing place where current and future generations can remember loved ones, whilst wandering through growing woodland. There are over 300 memorials within the 150 acres of the arboretum.

Inspire students and young people with a learning visit at the National Memorial Arboretum

Venue Type: 
Outdoor Activity
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Whitecliff Bay is located in a comfortable and hospitable chalet park surrounded by countryside, on the sheltered east side of the Isle of Wight.

Venue Type: 
Historic Buildings & Monuments
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Start Point is one of the most exposed peninsulas on the English Coast, running sharply almost a mile into the sea on the South side of Start Bay near Dartmouth. The Lighthouse, sited at the very end of the headland, has guided vessels in passage along the English Channel for over 150 years.

Guided Tours

Venue Type: 
Outdoor Activity
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Broadstone Warren is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Activties include Archery, Abseiling, Swimming and Zip Wiring.

Venue Type: 
Equestrian Activities
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Redwings Aylsham Visitor Centre is a beautiful site in the heart of the North Norfolk countryside and is home to some of Redwings’ loveable residents, like beautiful adoption stars Maya, Gulliver, the ever mischievous ‘Gangster’ Shetlands, and adorable donkeys Wiggins and Wacko.

This free to enter visitor attraction is currently open every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 10am to 4pm. That’s plenty of time to get some cuddles in with our furry friends.

Explore the town’s history, which stretches from before the Romans to racing cars, aeroplanes, Hammer Horror films and scandals at Cliveden.
Venue Type: 
Museums
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Explore the amazingly varied history of Maidenhead at this Heritage Centre with lots of hands-on activities for families.

The permanent Story of Maidenhead exhibition with Roman Dress-Up and other regular family activities is supplemented with five free exhibitions a year in the Sammes Gallery, so there is always something new to see and do.

On the first floor of the museum is Grandma Flew Spitfires, which is an Exhibition and Archive dedicated to Air Transport Auxiliary, with its fabulous Spitfire simulator.

Schools & Group Visits

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