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:

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

Venues for this Curriculum

Distinctive landmark rich in wildlife and archaeology with a tremendous panorama

Once part of the Longleat estate, the hill was entrusted to us by the 6th Marquess of Bath. Ascend the hill to enjoy extensive views of West Wiltshire and Somerset, or to experience uninterrupted views of the sky from this locally famous UFO hotspot.

Take advantage of the SEA LIFE Speyer as an attractive, non-school setting for school class visits. Motivate your students with a trip to where they experience native and tropical habitats of the oceans up close and learn with all senses.

SEA LIFE Aquarium is designed to be a child’s first interactive guide to the life of the sea, combining active, hands-on learning with fascinating educational talks, and opportunities to have up close and personal encounters with a variety of sea creatures.

The Aussie Wildlife Adventure!

Centrally located on the resort side of the island, WILD LIFE Hamilton Island (formerly Hamilton Island Wildlife Park), provides the perfect place for you to get up close and personal with some unique Australian wildlife.

Bring your class to the newest attraction in Jesolo!

With over 5,000 creatures on display, a visit to SEA LIFE Jesolo will engage your pupils’ senses. In addition to the spectacular view from the underwater tunnel, children can get involved at the interactive rockpool by holding a crab or even touching a starfish.

One of the fastest moving sand and shingle spits in the United Kingdom

Visit one of the last surviving pieces of natural coastline in West Sussex. East Head is an example of the nationally rare and fragile, yet dynamic, sand-dune habitat.

Walk, play and sunbathe on the beach, which is considered one of the best in Sussex. Or just admire the yachts that anchor off the northern end, where you may spot the occasional seal.

With thousands creatures on display, a visit to SEA LIFE Kansas City will engage your student’s senses. In addition to the spectacular view from the underwater tunnel, children can get involved at the interactive rockpool by holding a crab or even touching a starfish.

With so much to see and experience you will take learning beyond the classroom and into a new underwater world.

Shanghai Changfeng Ocean World is part of Europe's first and the world's second British Merlin Entertainment Group (Merlin Entertainment Group). It is located in the scenic Changfeng Park, the main building located at 13 meters silver hoe lake. Is a large marine animal shows and aquarium fish exhibition of integrated marine theme park. National youth science education base, Shanghai thematic sc

Combining active, hands-on learning with fascinating educational talks and an opportunity to have an up close and personal view into our amazing aquatic world, a visit to SEA LIFE centre Paris is an educational experience.

SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium offers an interactive, hands-on visit for schools, groups and birthday parties. With an array of amazing creatures along with our helpful and knowledgeable staff to answer your questions and provide unique facts about the creatures that you'll see, this is an inspiring visit for all.

What is your favourite sea creature?

The awesome Sharks, the scary Piranhas or perhaps is it the cute Seahorses that you love the most? Are you a Bonnethead Shark lover? Perhaps it’s the Clownfish or the clever Octopus that you love the most. Maybe you simply can’t decide! 

There is so much to see and do at Mary Arden's Farm! Step back in time for all the sights, smells and sounds of a real Tudor farm and explore the house where Shakespeare's mother, Mary Arden, grew up.

Experience for yourself the daily routine, skills and crafts that the young William would have known from visits to his grandparents in the 1570s. 

Things to Do

  • Feeding demonstrations all day
  • Rockpool Experience – Hold a crab & touch starfish! 
  • 36 spectacular displays (incl. Sharks, Giant Turtles & Rays)
  • Over 2,000 creatures
  • Watch Sharks feeding (Tuesday, Thursday & Sunday)
  • Walk through our amazing underwater tunnel
  • Children's soft play area 

The Lake District Coast Aquarium is a great all weather attraction for all age groups, with stunning live displays and other attractions for all the family. It has just the right balance of fun with learning!

The Lake District Coast Aquarium is situated on the harbour side at Maryport in Cumbria

Take advantage of the AquaDom & SEA LIFE Berlin as an attractive, non-school setting for school class visits. Motivate your students with a trip to where they experience native and tropical habitats of the oceans up close and learn with all senses.

SEA LIFE Bray offers an interactive, hands-on visit for schools, groups and birthday parties. With an array of amazing creatures and our helpful and knowledgeable staff on hand to answer questions and offer amazing facts about the creatures that you'll see, this is an inspiring visit for all.

The SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium Underwater Zoo Education program is delivered by trained and passionate marine educators who deliver face-to-face teaching sessions focusing on a range of specialised topics. 

Our visitor centre in the heart of Shrewsbury is a haven for wildlife in a uniquely accessible location. The walled wildlife garden is particularly suitable for groups of younger children and for older groups the centre makes a perfect base to explore the Reabrook Valley Local Nature Reserve. Toilets, disabled access, shop, refreshments, classroom, coach parking.

SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium is one of Sydney's most popular school excursion venues. See the world's largest collection of Australian aquatic animals on display. There's over 13,000 animals to see representing some 700 different species!

SEA LIFE Busan Aquarium is a state-of-the-art unique edutainment based aquarium, embarking on a new journey of dedicating resources and efforts to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of the iconic finless porpoise.

A school trip to SEA LIFE offers children the opportunity to discover the submarine world through experience. They can feel how strong a mussel is, hold a shark’s egg or see up close how a shrimp swims. By watching and exploring they discover a world of new facts.

Erasmus Darwin House is a historic house and previous home of Dr Erasmus Darwin – scientist, doctor, inventor, poet, botanist and Grandfather of Evolution (as well as Charles Darwin!).

Discover the fascinating and beautiful marine world in SEA LIFE Scheveningen. The world of shrimps, starfish and crabs, stingrays and sharks. Discover the beautiful fish from one of the worlds largest rivers in Amazonia, where you will meet the dangerous piranhas. 

Test your reactions against the speed of a robot, generate power from water or pull a locomotive by hand.

Investigate science and discover more about the power of technology at Enginuity.

Kelly Tarlton's SEA LIFE Aquarium is Auckland's leading school excursion venue, with thousands of students visiting each year!

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Antarctica & Explorers:

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