Following a £530,000 redevelopment, the Brooks Farm Outdoor Learning Centre re-opened to the public on the 12 August 2014.
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
A working 2.2 acre city farm in the heart of London with open animal yard, bee room, cafe, working blacksmith's forge and classrooms.
We hold special activities in school holidays such as baking and crafts as well as encouraging families to help out on the farm with some hands-on work experience!
School Visits to the Farm
Welcome to Hereford Cathedral. This beautiful building is the home of a community which has worshipped and worked together here continuously for well over 1200 years.
It is a place where the mission of the church to proclaim Christ's love is central, and therefore the community has always warmly welcomed visitors. We all hope that you enjoy your visit.
The Churnet Valley Railway takes you on a journey back to the classic days of railway travel on a rural line that passes through beautiful countryside known as Staffordshire's "Little Switzerland".
Our picturesque stations offer lots of interest with a complete range of visitor facilities, and there's plenty more to see and enjoy along the way.
Glenside Hospital Museum is located in Bristol within the grounds of the old hospital. The Museum aims to inform, educate and de-stigmatise mental illness and learning difficulties.
The Museum is housed in the original hospital chapel, a Grade II listed building.
It is open free to the public every Wednesday and Saturday morning from 10.00am–12.30pm.
Originally the Police Station and Courthouse, the Museum is opposite St. Mary's Church in the centre of Axminster. Visitors may discover the old police cells which have now been incorporated into the Arts Cafe adjacent to the Museum.
Extensive area of upland heath
Covering as much as 2,000 hectares (4,942 acres) of heather-covered hills with stunning views of the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Welsh hills, this is an important place for wildlife, geology and archaeology.
The site features a riverside walk and meadows, children's play area, picnic site with barbeques, tearoom, souvenir shop, tourist information and a secluded basic camp site. The signal box houses changing exhibitions from local artists and crafts people.
Situated in Kingswood, South Gloucestershire, Grimsbury Farm has a variety of animals, a playground, a picnic area and a café.
All Things Wild Nature Centre at The Domestic Fowl Trust is set in the beautiful Vale of Evesham in the Worcestershire countryside, and is the perfect place for you to relax, learn and enjoy yourself.
Have a rainforest experience in the Victorian glasshouses, get lost in the maze, follow one of our trails or enjoy the beautiful gardens. Visit the farm or have fun in our fantastic new play barn.
Education and Learning
Built in 1582 as a Merchant's House and set in the beautiful Waterlow Park, Lauderdale House is a Grade II listed building and now runs primarily as an arts and education centre, welcoming over 65,000 visitors each year.
Exhibitions & Fairs
Offering jaunts down the River Avon either by guided covered group tour, private hire motor boat or a family sized row boat. Departing from the award winning Abbey Park.
Wyre Forest Discovery Centre hosts the "education centre of excellence". Curriculum linked activities and a variety of adult craft and wildlife focus days are available including high wires and muddy games!
The house of wealthy merchant and landlord Thomas Gledstanes showcases high-rise living, 17th-century style, at the beating heart of Edinburgh's historic Royal Mile.
Primary school parties (ages 3-7) can book a visit to Gladstone's Land by phoning 0131 226 5856.
What's on offer?
The centre houses a wide variety of animals including:
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exotic birds
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mammals including meerkats, porcupine, prairie dogs and mara
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domestic species including rabbits, chickens and kune kune pigs
The centre is a small award winning zoo.
An unforgettable day of fun, action, new experiences and a bit of learning for families with children up to the age of 12 in a lovely, safe and happy environment. Lots of indoor activities, a daily programme of shows and different seasonal events whenever the kids are on holiday – from Easter Eggstravaganza through to Winter Wonderland.
Newham City Farm is one of London's longest established, as well as one of its largest city farms.
They are home to an extensive range of farmyard favourites and rare breeds – from a huge Shire Horse to tiny birds as well as cows, sheep, alpacas, goats, chickens, rabbits, fish, a peacock and even a harris hawk.
A variety of interesting farm zoo animals which originate from across the world including camels, adventure playground, plus let the kids pick their own fruits and vegetables.
Winner of the “Farm Park of the Year 2013” by the National Farm Attractions Network.
Meet plenty of furry friends, enjoy Animal Activities and Demonstrations and discover the Giant Indoor Playbarn! Guaranteed to give you the Ahhhh factor, there's stacks of animal fun and indoor play at Odds Farm Park.
Milk a cow by hand; take part in their Animal Feeding Tour; watch the machine milking; Visit Mini Farm World, Pets' Corner and the Play Area; follow the Farm Trail; take a trailer ride around the farm; and admire the panoramic views across four counties!
A lovely park that is free to visit and has plenty to keep everyone amused, including children’s play area, skate park, a bandstand, boat trips on the river, and water play fountains!
Glenariff Forest Park is one of the 9 Antrim Glens, and has over 1,000 hectares to explore, half of which is full of trees, the other a mix of small lakes, open spaces, lakes and waterfalls. Several trails to follow, including the Waterfall Walkway.
An enchanting and magical world that is based on the Chronicles of Wizard’s Thatch. Home to a School of Magic, an alley full of magical shops, plus a number of other exciting streets and alleys to explore.
The healthy working Pink Pig Farm welcomes families for the full farm to fork experience (if you can handle it that candidly!) with happy animals to visit both in the paddocks and the Charcuterie!
The indoor Play Barn features oodles of soft play facilities, giant lego plus play kitchens, excellent for keeping damp smalls busy tip the rain clears up!
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