Learn about the remarkable history of the Washington family as our experienced and friendly guides take you on a tour through the history of the Tudor and Georgian house and furnishings. Hear of the events, both fortunate and disastrous, that led George Washington’s ancestor to leave England for a new life abroad.
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
Our 450 acre mosaic of pools, lagoons, reed beds, marshes and meadows provides a wildlife haven.
Hand feed the rarest goose in the world, see our colourful flamingos, go bug hunting or pond dipping, enjoy bird watching from our hides and explore the reserve to see butterflies, dragonflies and more!
Old Rectory Farm has been fully restored and operates as a demonstration farm, showing city dwellers traditional methods of farming. animals kept at the farm include Jersey cattle, pigs, goats, ponies, ducks, chickens and geese.
Sheldon Country Park covers an area of just over 300 acres, comprising open grassland, wetlands, old hedgerows and some mature woodland.
Get your wellies on then!
One of the UK's largest urban Nature Reserves at a whopping 247 acres including a wide range of habitats great for exploring and nature spotting: woodlands, grasslands, heath land and wetlands plus way marked Nature and Sculpture Trails if you’re nervous about getting lost… given the size of the place a reasonable concern!
Brockholes Nature Reserve offers a unique outdoor learning opportunity. Once an active quarry site, Brockholes has been transformed into a nature reserve with a variety of habitats including wetlands, woodlands and meadows.
The Park contains wetlands, grasslands, woodland and heath supporting a wealth of animal and plant life on the doorsteps of Yardley Wood, Billesley, Springfield, Sparkhill and Small Heath.
We offer 10 miles of heritage railway running through the beautiful scenery of South Nottinghamshire and North-West Leicestershire. We are also home to static displays, a large Miniature Railway, Model Railways, Road Transport Collection and Play Area, with a Cafe and Gift Shop as well.
Nene Valley Railway is a heritage railway that offers a family day out but is no mere manufactured visitor attraction as the preserved railway uses part of the original London and North Western line from Northamptonshire into the Cathederal city of Peterborough, encompassing the stations of Yarwell, Wansford, Ferry Meadows (Nene Park) and Orton Mere.
Mere Sands Wood is a beautiful wildlife haven comprised of woodlands, lakes and meadows. There is an indoor activity room available for school visits, as well as fully accessible pathways throughout the woodlands and an accessible pond dipping platform making it an ideal location to study mini beasts, pond life and carry out wildlife surveys.
An urban oasis for wildlife and people, just 10 minutes from Hammersmith. Stroll among the lakes, ponds and gardens. The café is perfect for relaxing, and kids will love the play areas.
Book a guided learning session
Step into a wilder world where wilderness and family-friendliness combine. Come and enjoy each season, from ducklings to migrating swans - you’ll be amazed at how close you can get to fantastic wetland wildlife.
Book a guided learning session
Get up close to Ireland's largest collection of native and exotic waterbirds, bats and migrant birds whilst taking in stunning estuary views. Our spring duckery tour is an unforgettable experience.
A medieval Elizabethan manor house, with it’s own moat, plus priest holes and walled gardens to explore. There is also a Visitor Centre in the old Malt House. Audiovisual and interactive displays help bring the history to life.
Miles of golden sand
Sweeping along the edge of the North Coast, this two-mile stretch of golden sand is one of Northern Ireland's finest beaches and affords views of Inishowen headland and Mussenden Temple perched atop the cliffs. It is an ideal place for lazy picnics, quad-pod rides, surfing, slacklining and long walks into the sand dunes where wild pansy flowers dance in the breeze and common blue and dark gree
Come in and explore, learn, reflect and enjoy the natural environment
This exciting new interpretation centre showcases the special qualities which make the Llŷn Peninsula so unique in terms of history, culture and environment.
Come in and explore, learn, reflect and enjoy the natural environment, and get ideas for activities, walks, attractions and things to do on the peninsula.
A dramatic and rugged coastline with an abundant variety of wildlife
This spectacular stretch of coastline offers fine views and hidden delights. Heading north from Polzeath discover Pentire Point and The Rumps, views of which inspired First World War poet Lawrence Binyon.
Exploring South East Cornwall's history and culture
The fishing villages of Polperro and Looe are ideal starting points to explore this part of South East Cornwall. With a range of walks for all abilities there are some great opportunities for everyone to take in this unspoilt coast along the South West Coast Path.
The perfect setting for an Edwardian country retreat
'This is a delicious house...' remarked Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother on her honeymoon at Polesden Lacey. This country retreat, only four miles from Dorking and junction 9 of the M25, has glorious views across the rolling Surrey Hills and acres of countryside. It was home to famous Edwardian hostess Mrs Greville, who entertained royalty and the celebrities of her time.
Bedfords Park is a fantastic place to come and explore with your school. We have a plethora of habitats and wildlife to learn from: from meadows to lakes, woodlands to ponds - and not forgetting our resident herd of Red Deer.
EYFS:
Exploring Senses, Pond Power, Go on a Bug Hunt, Teddy Bears Picnic, Natural Art
Key Stage 1:
The Langdon Down Museum of Learning Disability at Normansfield Teddington, was the home and institution developed by the Victorian physician Dr John Langdon Down and his family where a revolutionary and enlightened approach was developed for the care of people with learning disabilities.
Why do many schools return to Woodlands annually? Teachers tell us it is an easy to run, safe venue providing a wide variety of experiences including play, rides, zoo-farm interaction, falconry centre.
The UK's only crocodile zoo
We're home to more than 100 crocodiles, alligators and caimans from 14 different species of crocodilian. Crocodiles of the World is now open seven days a week from 10am to 5pm all year round including Bank Holidays; we are closed on Christmas Day.
Now the UK’s largest collection of parrots with nearly 2,000 birds covering over 100 species, but there’s not just parrots here, you will also see Marmosets, Meerkats, Lemurs, Giant Tortoises, Snakes, Kookaburras and many more.
Centres around a Tropical House in a spectacular jungle-like setting which includes a large water feature containing Red-Eared and other Terrapins. The outside exhibits include capuchin monkeys, meerkats, ring tailed lemur and more plus plenty of bird exhibits.
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