Here you will see Macaws, Chameleons, Marmoset Monkeys and many more exotic animals. Our tropical zone allows for an all weather attraction for the whole family. Daily Shows and Free Parking.
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.
The announcement in April 2015 that the new SKA radiotelescope is to be built in the UK will also be a huge boost for scientists looking for projects to follow and then visit as the telescope is built in readiness for full operational capability in 2025.
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 03332 070737 or emailing trips@handsam.co.uk.
Main organisations:
Association for Science Education
Membership through Handsam
Radiation Protection Officer services through Handsam
Inclusion: NASEN
Thought of visiting?
Centre for Alternative Technology
Michael Faraday Museum, London
National Conservation Centre, Liverpool
Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester
Techniquest (various locations in Wales including Cardiff, Wrexham and Pembrokeshire)
Venues for this Curriculum
This remarkable funicular railway is the oldest and steepest inland electric cliff railway in the country.
For over a century Bridgnorth Cliff Railway has been transporting the people of Bridgnorth up and down the 111 ft sandstone cliffs that separate High Town from Low Town and the River Severn.
A wide variety of animals for you to look at and feed. There is an outdoor play area for children under 8, a beach to play and build sandcastles for all ages, and an indoor ball pool and soft play for children under 5.
A lovely little range from guinea pigs to micro pigs, via parrots, horses and alpacas.
300 acre Parc Slip Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve with its Wildlife Trust Visitor Centre has something for everyone. A variety of different habitat types supporting many different species for wildlife enthusiast, a safe area for school parties to discover and enjoy nature.
An ancient story of vanished oceans and fossilised sea creatures is the reason why the Oswestry Hills are so rich in wild plants, including orchids.
Activity examples:
Butterfly surveys, tree investigations, bug hunting, pond dipping, habitat investigations, natural art, sensory explorers. John Muir Award (environmental award for KS2 upwards).
The imposing ruins of Peveril Castle stand high above the pretty village of Castleton in the heart of Derbyshire’s Peak District. Mentioned in the Domesday survey, Peveril Castle is one of England’s earliest Norman fortresses. The keep was built by Henry II in 1176.
The main footpath along the Stiperstones ridge goes straight down the side of The Hollies nature reserve. Few people step off the track to explore this ancient, scattered grove of hollies, but those that do soon fall under its spell. The trees are extraordinary characters, some of them three or four centuries old.
Activity examples:
Steep wooded slopes rise from the banks of the River Teme, leading to open grassland with glorious views across Ludlow to the Clee Hills. Networked with footpaths and flights of stone steps, the Common is easy to explore, with numerous seats for walkers to rest and enjoy the views.
Activity examples:
With a station motto of ‘The Strongest Link’, Biggin Hill was an important sector or 'controlling airfield' during and after the Battle of Britain. First established during the First World War as a radio and instrument research station and a fighter airfield, the second conflict saw it upgraded to accommodate modern fighter aircraft.
Over the past 40 years, this famous Airport has steadily changed from being a busy RAF base into a commercial regional airport. The historic ties are remembered annually at the RAF Chapel which is open to the public.
RAF Chapel
The museum collection on display reveals an island community changing over the years to both external and internal pressures. Alderney has a fascinating history starting with extensive Stone, Bronze and Iron Age activity, with object evidence of historically important Roman activity at Longy.
The Royal Forest of Rockingham, a medieval hunting forest, is a beautiful patchwork of ancient woodlands and open agricultural land with historic features and attractive stone-built forest villages. Today the Forest offers visitors plenty of routes for walking, cycling and riding.
Schools
Has long provided the opportunity to become familiar with the country life of yesteryear. Its Historic Working Farm is a wonderful visitor attraction with daily activities and special events. You will see traditional 19th century farm life unfold daily, while the land around is worked by heavy horses.
Washford Radio Museum is situated within the Tropiquaria wildlife park in Washford, Somerset. It is based in a 1930’s art deco BBC Radio transmitting station, which is now a Grade II listed building.
Throughout Somerset we match you with your closest orchard, often local and rich in wildlife.
Bird adventure trail, Teddy Bear's Picnic, Living things and their habitats, Nature sensory explorers, Orchards (food and farming), Marvellous Meadows, Seasonal investigation, Seasonal crafts.
Throughout Somerset, we match you to your closest reserve!
Bird adventure trail, Teddy Bear's Picnic, Living things and their habitats, Nature sensory explorers, Orchards (food and farming), Marvellous Meadows, Seasonal investigation, Seasonal crafts
Pembrokeshire's County Museum is located in a traditional Victorian country house near Haverfordwest, surrounded by 60 acres of park and woodland and is completed by an award-winning eco-centre.
Period rooms, railway displays, farming exhibition, costume, stable/rural crafts, art exhibitions, World War II homefront exhibition. Picnic and play areas, shop and tearoom.
Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet is a unique eighteenth century industrial works. Catch a glimpse of life at home and at work at a rural scythe and steelworks dating back to the 18th century.
Abbey Pumping Station is Leicester's Museum of Science and Technology, displaying the city's industrial, technological and scientific heritage.
Situated adjacent to the National Space Centre, the two attractions tell the story of over 200 years of science and technology from the early days of steam and industry, to space exploration of today.
A steel, metals, recycling, and renewable energy hub
Newport Docks si the UK's second largest steel port and in 2014 handled over 70,000 tonnes of timber out of a total of 12 million tonnes of cargo each year. It is also a recycling hub.
Situated on Mersea Island on the river Blackwater near Colchester, our site at Mersea is Essex Outdoors' largest centre for outdoor learning. With over 62 acres of well maintained grounds we can accommodate up to 350 visitors in tents, 104 in cabins and 48 in its brand new residential centre.
Harlow Centre for Outdoor Learning is an intimate site providing an amazing amount of activities! Our non-residential site is situated on the River Stort just a minute's walk from Harlow Town Railway station.
Boasting stunning views from the highest point in Essex, the site offers the perfect setting for enjoying our courses and activities, or simply exploring the local environment.
Essex Outdoors' centre at Bradwell is a coastal outdoor education centre, based on the River Blackwater Estuary, a lovely stretch of sheltered tidal water on the east coast of Essex.
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