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

Secret Valley Wildlife Park is the only Wildlife Park in the South East of Ireland. Ann O’Connor and her husband, John set up the original farm a few years ago and it has since grown from strength to strength. The passion that Ann and her staff have for the animals and environment is clearly evident from the moment the visitor is welcomed into the grounds.

Once Britain’s Best Kept Secret, today Bletchley Park is a heritage site and vibrant tourist attraction. Open daily, visitors can explore some of the iconic WW2 Codebreaking Huts and Blocks and marvel at the astonishing achievements of the Codebreakers whose work is said to have helped shorten the war by two years.  

LEADING THE WAY WITH INTERACTIVE WILDLIFE EXPERIENCES!

Seaview Wildlife really stands out from the crowd! Tucked away on the N.E. coast of the Island, situated on the outskirts of the pretty yachting village of Seaview, you will discover this hidden gem, the Isle of Wight's leader in hands-on wildlife experiences.

Home to one of Europe's largest collections of global marine life and the jewel in the crown of the 28 Sea Life attractions in the UK and Europe. Situated in the heart of London, the experience takes visitors on an immersive and interactive journey along the Great Oceanic Conveyor.

You'll have an amazing day out at our fantastic SEA LIFE adventure both above and below the ocean.

  • SEA LIFE Adventure Park with over 1,000 incredible creatures from sharks and sea turtles to giant spider crabs and Octopus!

  • 53m panoramic tower giving you unrivalled views of the coastline.

The Scottish Deer Centre is set in the Fife countryside and covers over 55 acres. Our collection includes 14 species of Deer from around the world, Fife's only Wolf pack, Otters and other rare Scottish species including the Wildcat. We also host Raptor World Bird of Prey centre! 

Historic - Inspiring - Educational - Great Fun

Welcome to England's Greatest Elizabethan house.

Welcome to Burghley, William Cecil’s ancestral home. This palatial Elizabethan prodigy house is still a much loved family home and we invite you to explore its historic collection of paintings, ceramics and works of art, many of which still stand where they were first recorded in 1688.

A great place to bring the kids to meet our farmyard animals, follow the farmer as he feeds the deer and meet mythical creatures in Fairytale Forest. Older kids can lose energy in the outdoor play area, while toddlers play in the indoor playroom.

Situated in the heart of the Rockingham Forest, the park offers access to fantastic woodlands, meadows, thickets, marshes and ponds to explore.

Recreation

A great family day out in the countryside with farm animals to meet and other activities to enjoy. Free entry for kids under 2 years old.

A tractor and trailer ride is included in the entry price and takes you to the deer park, which has over 150 deer of several different breeds.

You will even get a chance to feed some of the tamer members of the herd.

A place to learn about the specialist wildlife work done by the hospital and to meet some of the rescued animals. Activities and Talks held during school holidays.

Kids can find out about how they either release animals back to the wild when they are fit, or gives them a home if not.

Discover Scottish wildlife and endangered animals of the world's mountains and tundra in our spectacular setting. Drive around the Main Reserve in your own car and then investigate the walk-round area on foot.

The Highland Wildlife Park is a great day out for any visitor, but for young people it offers a marvellous educational opportunity, which helps to meet the demands of the Curriculum of Excellence and bring their lessons alive. We want to become an extension of your classroom and a valuable learning resource.

Home to the UK's only giant pandas and koalas, as well as more than 1000 other amazing animals

Open 365 days a year, Edinburgh Zoo welcomes students of all ages. For a great day out, you can't beat Edinburgh Zoo. Our world-class attractions and our extensive animal collection will provide you and your family with memories to last a lifetime!

Join in the fun at Reaseheath Zoo. Meet our friendly ferrets, spot our newborn cotton-top tamarin twins, enjoy the spring sunshine with our ring-tailed lemurs and much more!

What We Do at the Raptor Foundation:

Provide medical care for injured raptors. Return rehabilitated birds to the wild. Provide sanctuary for unreleasable raptors.

Provide research into environmental problems and conservation matters. Assist with "Breed & Release" programs to rebuild raptor populations across Europe.

Paradise Wildlife Park is a fantastic Zoo, an amazing day out, an award winning family attraction & arguably the best venue for animal experience days in Europe. Full on fun with over 400 animals in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire.

Education

Our aim is to inspire, delight and give children first hand knowledge about life on the farm

We believe it is fundamentally important children understand about the food they eat and the effect farming has on their lives. We want their experience at Old MacDonald’s Farm to be fun and one that they will never forget.

Immerse yourself in a sea of colour, with ten spectacular recreated environments.

Come face to face with hundreds of creatures – from otters, rays and clownfish to sharks and piranhas – discover the world’s waters under one roof. 

New for 2014 – See amazing baby loggerhead turtles cruise the waters of their new Key West home and get jaw-droppingly close to the new crocodile!

Northumberland College is the largest provider of further education training courses in Northumberland with centres in Ashington, Ponteland Newcastle, Hexham and Berwick. We provide apprenticeships, full-time and part-time courses, employability and higher education training courses from Entry Level to Degree Level in a wide range of subject areas.

Kirkley Hall is a 17th-century historic country mansion and Grade II listed building situated on the bank of the River Blyth at Kirkley, near Ponteland.

Zoological Gardens

Amazing animal adventures

New Forest Wildlife was originally a Butterfly Farm and later became the Nature Quest Wildlife Centre.

Carol and Roger Heap and their son Ed Heap, who have been working in wildlife conservation for most of their lives, took over the park 17 years ago and later re-named the centre the New Forest Wildlife Park.

Education

The National Zoo of Wales

The Zoo is set in 37 acres of woodland and beautiful gardens, overlooking the coastline and mountains of North Wales. We are home to camels, monkeys, lemurs, bears, tamarins, sea lions, tigers, chimpanzees, meerkats and much more!

The Zoo represents a unique living resource to stimulate pupils and students of all ages. The Zoo offers a first class education service.

The marine curriculum brought alive...

Visit the UK's largest aquarium and be amazed at our fascinating underwater world and how we all play a part in conserving it.

Your journey will take you across the world's oceans, from the shores of Plymouth to the coral reefs of the tropics. Our hosts deliver an action-packed talk schedule, including our not-to-be-missed interactive dive show at 2 pm daily.

Wharf Aquatics - award winning aquatic store for tropical fish, marine, aquarium, pond, coldwater fish, reptiles - Nottingham, Mansfield, Alfreton area.

The Society was incorporated as a City Livery Company in 1617. Its Hall (dating from 1668-72), archives and artefacts also record and reflect its activities as a major centre for manufacturing and retailing drugs (1671-1922), founder of Chelsea Physic Garden in 1673 and medical examining and licensing body from 1815.

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