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: 
Wildlife and Nature
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· Fun, interactive and exciting sessions designed to engage youngsters and to experience the natural environment in new ways.

· We have an outdoor classroom site next to Margrove Heritage Centre.  It has a mixture of woodland, meadow and ponds with access along a secluded footpath.

· Margrove Visitor Centre has  a new garden to investigate and two indoor rooms for groups  to use if the weather is foul. 

· Options of running workshops either in your school grounds or at a nearby greenspace.

A Mysterical Adventure
Venue Type: 
Zoos / Wildlife Parks
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Enjoy a mysterical adventure at Hobbledown. Meet our animals, play in the Barn, go down our mine and have fun in the party cottage.

Schools Visits

Hobbledown is an excellent day out for school or group visits and the Hobblers want to make sure the organisers can enjoy the day as much as the children. That starts with us offering you all the resources you need to make the most of your visit. We want this day to be easy to organise and stress free. 

A Neo-Grecian house restored to its setting of rolling parkland
Venue Type: 
Historic Buildings & Monuments
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This early 19th-century house nestling between a wooded ridge and parkland is possibly one of Wiltshire’s best kept secrets. An ideal place to have a quiet picnic and to get away from it all.

The well-worn paths with occasional benches offer the opportunity to explore the character of the woodlands and substantial views across the park and wider landscape. The spire of Salisbury Cathedral can be seen on a clear day from the highest point in the park.

Venue Type: 
Parks and Gardens
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Glastonbury was once an island and water rises and falls from it’s heart in profusion. Full of mystery and symbolism, two springs rise within feet of each other at the base of the Tor - the holy hill of Avalon. One, tasting sweet with calcium, leaves a white trail. The other, tasting metallic with iron, leaves its mark in red. We sought to create a Temple here in honour of the Spirit of the White Spring.

Magnificent 18th-century mansion and landscape park
Venue Type: 
Castles
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Experience the stately grandeur of this stunning 18th-century mansion set in a beautiful wooded landscape park ideal for family walks.

Castle Coole is one of Ireland's finest Neo-classical houses, allowing visitors to glimpse what life was like in the home of the Earls of Belmore.

Discover the story of the people who lived and worked below stairs as you explore the splendid suite of servants rooms and service quarters of this magnificent property.

Venue Type: 
Castles
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Lulworth Castle, built in the early 17th Century as a hunting lodge, became a country house at the heart of a large estate. Thomas Howard, 3rd Lord Bindon, built the Castle in order to entertain hunting parties for the King and Court. The Howards owned it until 1641 when it was purchased by Humphrey Weld, the direct ancestor of the present owners.

Stunning 18th-century landscape garden and haven for nature
Venue Type: 
Historic Buildings & Monuments
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A taste of the country on the edge of the city.

Discover fine Derwent Valley views, winding paths and refreshing open spaces while exploring our elegant buildings and ruins.

Gibside is a Georgian 'grand design' on a spectacular scale. The vision of coal baron George Bowes, the Palladian chapel is an architectural masterpiece, the stable block is a vibrant learning and discovery centre, and the once grand hall is now a dramatic shell. Gibside is also a haven for wildlife with red kites often circling in the skies above.

From seahorses to sharks, crocodiles to crabs - they're all here!
Venue Type: 
Maritime / Sea Life
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Throughout our aquarium you will come face to face with a whole host of marine creatures from around the world, but also many which you would find in the Thames Estuary: rays, crabs, starfish and many more.

Meet Puffer fish, Lionfish and a very famous Clownfish! You can also play, do arts and crafts or even make up a fish dance!

Our School Visits are very popular throughout the year but especially from May to July, so please expect lots of excited Children enjoying themselves and having a whale of a time!

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