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

Studley Grange - Butterfly World & Animal Paddock

Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
Overall Rating: 
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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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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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Crom

Romantic and tranquil landscape of islands, woodland and historical ruins
Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
Overall Rating: 
0

Located on the shores of Upper Lough Erne, Crom is one of the most romantic and peaceful places in Northern Ireland. This 2,000 acre demesne is surrounded by tranquil islands and ancient woodlands.

One of Ireland's most important conservation areas, Crom is home to a wealth of wildlife. Discover it whether you are fishing, woodland walking, butterfly spotting or bird watching.

At Crom you can experience the surroundings from a unique perspective when you hire one of our boats. Leave the road behind, a whole new world awaits you.

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Inverewe Garden & Estate

Venue Type: 
Parks and Gardens
Overall Rating: 
0

A lush, sub-tropical-style, oasis perched on a peninsula at the edge of Loch Ewe amid the rugged landscape of Wester Ross, this world-famous historic garden is one of Scotland's most popular botanical attractions.

School visits are welcome by prior arrangement.

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Beale Park

The place to be with fun, adventure, animals, gardens, play and activities on the banks of the picturesque River Thames
Venue Type: 
Zoos / Wildlife Parks
Overall Rating: 
0

Space, fresh air, tranquility, fun, adventure, enchanting animals, exotic beauty and all this on the banks of the magical Thames. New Bertie's Bugs and Beasts exhibit!

Popular favourites include: Ring-tailed lemurs, wallabies, meerkats, raccoons, prairie dogs, yellow mongoose, river hogs, monkeys, goats and numerous small mammals in their Pet's Corner. Plus the new Bertie's Bugs and Beasts exhibit, with all things creepy and crawley!

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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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