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

Colchester Zoo

Discover over 270 species...
Venue Type: 
Zoos / Wildlife Parks
Overall Rating: 
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Here are just some of the attractions here at Colchester Zoo:

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Gentleshaw Wildlife Centre

A small sanctuary for exotic animals and birds of prey
Venue Type: 
Zoos / Wildlife Parks
Overall Rating: 
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Gentleshaw Wildlife Centre is a small sanctuary for unwanted and mistreated exotic animals and birds of prey. Home to a wide variety of creatures including, Owls, Hawks, Snakes, Monkeys, Raccoons, Wild cats, Lizards, Fruit bats, Falcons, Terrapins and much more it's a great afternoon out for the family.

You can visit and see all of the animals. See our residents playing, climbing, squawking, flying and relaxing. Learn about their lives and why they are at Gentleshaw. As a registered charity, your admission fee helps us to care for our rescued residents.

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West Affric

Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
Overall Rating: 
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West Affric is a vast and remote expanse of wild land, ideally suited to adventurous walkers who want to get off the beaten track.

It is situated at the western end of Glen Affric - sometimes described as the most beautiful of all the Scottish glens.

Please contact the National Trust for Scotland Ranger Service to find about activities suitable for groups.

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Bristol Zoo

A great day out in Bristol, whatever the weather!
Venue Type: 
Zoos / Wildlife Parks
Overall Rating: 
0

Enjoy an amazing world of animals, all within all within our spectacular, award-winning, 12-acre gardens. With over 400 species – including nine animal houses under cover – you can make the most of your visit, whatever the weather. And with so much to see and do, it’s worth giving yourself at least two to five hours here to fully make the most of your trip to one of the top attractions in Bristol and the South West. 

We’re more than just a zoo. We are the Bristol Zoological Society – a conservation and education charity. 

We’re made up of three distinct parts.  

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Dudley Zoo and Castle

Go wild at Dudley Zoo!
Venue Type: 
Zoos / Wildlife Parks
Overall Rating: 
0

Lions and tigers to snakes and spiders. Come face to face with lemurs as they roam in the trees. Watch amazing Birds of Prey, meet friends on the farm and look out for Ghosts in the Castle! Gift shop, restaurant, face painting and land train.

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Kintail & Morvich

Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
Overall Rating: 
0

One of the last few areas of wild land in Scotland, this rugged, remote estate in the West Highlands offers a true wilderness experience. The dramatic landscape encompasses the Five Sisters - a mountain ridge incorporating three Munros - and the Falls of Glomach, Britain's second-highest waterfall, as well as lochs, glens and coastline.

School groups can be accommodated, with environmental education provided by the Kintail Ranger Service, at the Outdoor Centre at Morvich.

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Mar Lodge Estate

Venue Type: 
Parks and Gardens
Overall Rating: 
0

Mar Lodge Estate occupies nearly 7% of the Cairngorms National Park, covers some of the most remote and scenic wild land in Scotland, including four of the five highest mountains in the UK.

The Ranger Service can offer a variety of activities relating to the specific habitats of the estate, such as woodland and scrub, burns, bogs and moorland. They can cover wider conservation issues, or offer activities relating to archaeology.

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Crarae Garden

Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
Overall Rating: 
0

Near the banks of Loch Fyne, on the west coast, immerse yourself in Britain's finest example of an exotic Himalayan-style woodland garden.

Crarae Garden is a tranquil site, with its dramatic gorge, rippling burn, waterfalls and cliffs. The informal hillside layout of mature woody plants radiating out from the burn creates a wonderful natural effect.

It is a magical spot at any time of year, with the earlier flowers of countless rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and magnolias being replaced later in the season by the rich tints of foliage and fruit.

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Harmony Garden

Venue Type: 
Parks and Gardens
Overall Rating: 
0

Nestling in the pretty Borders town of Melrose, with enviable views of majestic Melrose Abbey, is Harmony House and Garden.

The handsome Georgian villa looks out onto a beautifully tended garden of smart croquet lawns, colourful, scented flowerbeds, fruits and vegetables.

The house, part of the Trust’s Connoisseurs’ Collection of self-catering rental properties, is considered by many to be the finest example of a Georgian townhouse in Scotland. The walled gardens are lush and secluded, giving visitors the sense of entering a private space.

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Five Sisters Zoo

Venue Type: 
Zoos / Wildlife Parks
Overall Rating: 
0

Five Sisters Zoo's mission is to:

Encourage conservation of endangered wildlife for both native and non-native species, and create a safe and natural environment for all animals in our collection.

With over 160 different species of mammal, birds and reptiles, daily keeper talks, feeding and handling sessions and a large outdoor play & picnic area, the Five Sisters Zoo is a great day out for everyone all year round!

Education

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