The museum was founded in 1983. Orkney’s wartime history is strongly represented in the collection which covers the development of wireless in Orkney from the start of the last century to the present day.
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
The Orkney Museum tells the story of Orkney, from the Stone Age, to the Picts and Vikings, right through to the present day. There is a large collection of old photos and activities to amuse younger visitors. The Museum’s collection is of international importance and it has a changing temporary exhibition programme.
Unique survival in Northern Europe of a traditional rural dwelling with central hearth and stone
Kirbuster Museum was opened to the public in 1986. It is the last un-restored example of a traditional ‘firehoose’ in Northern Europe. The house has a central hearth and a stone neuk bed, a unique survival. Kirbuster was occupied up until the 1960s and was once the home of the Spence and Hay families.
Corrigall Farm Museum is a traditional ‘but and ben’ house. It portrays a typical Orkney farmhouse and steading in Victorian times - late 19th Century. The working barn and grain kiln, horse-drawn machinery and livestock make for an interesting visit for children and adults.
Surgeons' Hall Museum is the major medical museum in Scotland, and one of Edinburgh's many tourist attractions. The museum is recognised as a collection of national significance by the Scottish Government.
The National Mining Museum Scotland is the national coal mining museum for Scotland and cares for the Lady Victoria Colliery and the national coal mining collections. The collections at the museum comprise over 60,000 items, including objects, archive material, photographs and books.
We tell the story of tin and copper mining in Cornwall with daily demonstrations of a working mill
The oldest complete mine site in Cornwall, King Edward Mine Museum in Troon, near Camborne specialises in the history of Cornish mining, telling the remarkable story of how the mine has survived for 100 years. In the tin processing mill machinery can be seen in action just as it would have been in the early 1900s.
Hayle Heritage Centre highlights some significant events in the history of Hayle. There is a permanent core exhibition and a rolling programme of temporary exhibitions and workshops.
The museum, at the Head Office of Scotland’s oldest bank, traces the history of banking and money through the story of the company.
This fascinating museum takes a fresh look at money – and much, much more. Art & design, technology, crime, trade and security – all feature in the story of money. We are open throughout the year and admission is FREE.
The history of the first municipal fire brigade in Europe and fire fighting in Edinburgh between 1824 and the 1940s. Created through the display of fire engines, equipment and uniforms.
Using artefacts, illustrations and video and audio presentations, The Linlithgow Story at Annet House Museum tells of the town, its people and trades and its connections with Scotland’s Stewart kings. The peaceful garden has been restored and has fine views across the rooftops to the ruined Linlithgow Palace and St. Michael’s Church.
Numismatics
Step back in time in this extraordinary Tudor castle on the edge of the Cotswolds. This hotel offers the perfect luxurious retreat – combining 500-year-old architecture with sumptuous facilities.
John Muir's life and work has inspired people all over the world. Now the Dunbar birthplace of the pioneering conservationist has been transformed into a new visitor attraction. Our family-friendly interpretative centre explores the work and achievements of this remarkable man.
Founded in 1982 the Archive, Records Management and Museum Service is part of the Corporate Communications Division. We preserve, manage and provide access to the University’s archive, art and artefact collections. We promote their use by staff, students and the public in research and scholarship; and in displays and exhibitions.
an active teaching and research museum, with a wide diversity of zoological specimens from Scotland and round the world
The University of Edinburgh has been home to a rich collection of "natural history" specimens and objects for over 300 years. These collections were built up by researchers and educators as a scientific record, as a teaching resource, as a historical record of how zoology and related disciplines have flourished in the University, and as a public museum.
The museum has on display 40 life masks and death masks of renowned individuals from famous scientists and politicians to notorious murderers. Plus skeletons and other anatomical items and sketches from the last 200 years.
The museum is open daily to the public.
History
Great for Schools!
Come rain or shine, there's something for everyone at Almond Valley. We're open throughout the year and with many attractions under cover, there's plenty to see and do whatever the weather
There's so much for students to enjoy, and our play areas hold special appeal to those under ten years old. We'd recommend that you allow at least four hours for your visit.
Discover the story of the lead miners of Minera, the village named after the ore beneath, at Minera Lead Mines visitor centre and explore the remains of the 19th century lead processing works, where they worked.
Now a Scheduled Ancient Monument, John Wilkinson, the pioneering industrialist, built Penrhos Engine House in the late 18th Century, in order to house an engine to pump water from his coal mine on the site. It is thought to be the earliest surviving colliery engine house in Wales.
A fascinating journey through time takes visitors from the prehistoric period up to the era of nuclear fission. Displays include costume, First World War memorabilia, town regalia and a remarkable collection of paintings depicting Annan and the Solway shore. Look out for a 4,000 year old Bronze Age burial urn, mummified baby crocodiles and the 110 year old piece of chocolate!
A treasure house of the history of south west Scotland, Dumfries Museum is centered around the 18th century windmill which stands above the town. On the topmost floor of the museum is the Camera Obscura – this historic astronomical instrument gives fascinating panoramic views over the town and on clear days the range is many miles.
Based around the original control tower of the former RAF Dumfries, the museum is a fascinating collection of aircraft and memorabilia reaching back to the golden years of flight.
The group aims to promote awareness of the history of the Eastriggs and Gretna townships, and their importance with the 1st world war munitions factory HM Factory Gretna in turning the tide of war in the allies' favour.
The Baird Institute lies in the centre of the town of Cumnock and was opened in March 1891 to provide leisure facilities for local people and included a museum, billiard room and reading rooms.
North Ayrshire Heritage Centre shows the history of North Ayrshire with displays of archaeology, costume, transport, and popular culture. A photographic archive of the local area is available for reference.
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