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

Marley Common

Coconut-scents, purple heather and intimate woodland walks
Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
Overall Rating: 
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Coconut-scents, purple heather and intimate woodland walks

 

Marley Common in West Sussex, is a mixed broadleaf woodland and open heath. It's one of our oldest countryside acquisitions, having its centenary in 2011.

The Common has had an interesting past: it was used as an army training ground during the Second World War, and during the 1950s and 1960s it suffered terrible fires which swept across the open heath. This later period was also the time when grazing ceased on Marley and the common soon became overgrown with scrub and trees.

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Science Oxford

Venue Type: 
Science & Technology
Overall Rating: 
0

Science Oxford's mission is: To encourage the pursuit of science and enterprise, with the long term vision of: Making connections between science, enterprise and society.

Science Oxford was founded in 1985 as The Oxford Trust by Sir Martin and Lady Audrey Wood.

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Bodnant Garden

World-famous garden noted for its botanical collections
Venue Type: 
Parks and Gardens
Overall Rating: 
0

Marvel at plants from all over the world grown from seed and cuttings collected over a century ago on plant-hunting expeditions. Created by five generations of one family, this 32-hectare (80-acre) garden is superbly located, with spectacular views across Snowdonia.

With expansive lawns and intimate corners, grand ponds and impressive terraces, a steep wooded valley and stream, as well as awe-inspiring plant collections, there are continually changing glorious displays of colour.

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Studley Grange - Butterfly World & Animal Paddock

Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
Overall Rating: 
0

Studley Grange is a great place for your students to learn about insects, animals and arts and crafts!

Butterfly World

Visit our Butterfly House in Wiltshire rain or shine.

You can walk among some of the most beautiful butterflies in the World, flying freely against a backdrop of tropical plants and skimming over fish filled ponds.

Animal Paddock

Meet the Meerkats and all their friends! 

Craft Village

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Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park

Venue Type: 
Zoos / Wildlife Parks
Overall Rating: 
0

Set in over 28 acres of spectacular, sub tropical gardens within the North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, The Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park,has been giving great enjoyment to its customers for 27 years.

The Park is an independently family run business that relies solely on the income from its customers to look after its animals, maintain the beauty of the park and make improvements every year.

Our aim is to give our customers a wonderful experience, surrounded by natural beauty, gorgeous animals, dinosaurs and lots of fun and enjoyment.

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Deep Sea World

Venue Type: 
Maritime / Sea Life
Overall Rating: 
0

Why not spend a day at the bottom of the sea? Dive into the deep at Deep Sea World with our huge sharks, Stella our stingray, tropical fish and much much more! See the wonders of the deep with our fascinating Sand Tiger sharks, our conger eels and a myriad of marine life as you walk underwater through the UK’s longest underwater tunnel.

Deep Sea World Education Mission Statement:

“To deliver a unique learning experience by promoting informed and inquisitive observation within a stimulating environment”

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Abbey Park Leicester

Venue Type: 
Parks and Gardens
Overall Rating: 
0

Abbey Park lies approximately one mile north of the City centre. The River Soar divides this beautiful park into two distinct areas: to the east of the river lies the highly decorative Victorian part of the park with its evergreen shrubberies, trees, lakes and formally planted flower displays.

Enjoy exploring a Chinese garden, historical ruins, canals and boating lakes. Abbey Park is also home to fun fairs and festivals. A tearoom is also open for refreshments.

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Staffa National Nature Reserve

Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
Overall Rating: 
0

Staffa is the stuff of legend - an unspoilt and uninhabited island best known for its magnificent basalt columns and spectacular sea caves. The most famous of these is Fingal's Cave, also known as An Uamh Binn (Cave of Melody). It has a unique, cathedral-like structure and its hexagonal columns are similar to those of the Giant's Causeway in Ireland.

Ranger-led activities to meet curriculum requirements can be organised by arrangement.

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Africa Alive

A Walking Safari Set In 100 Acres
Venue Type: 
Zoos / Wildlife Parks
Overall Rating: 
0

The Park is home to more than 80 species of animals from around Africa - including the fastest mammal, the tallest mammal and the biggest bird in the world!

We are the perfect destination for an exciting and educational visit for all ages!

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Lavington Common

A rare pocket of openness amongst plantation woodland
Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
Overall Rating: 
0

Lavington Common is a rare survivor of an open landscape that once stretched across the Weald. Its sandy soil leads up to the chalk escarpment on the South Downs, creating this renowned lowland heath, rich in lichens and bryophytes (mosses and liverworts).

Heathers flourish here providing shelter and breeding grounds for reptiles and heathland insects such as the Green Tiger Beetle.

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