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

Secrets, Spies and Tunnels!

Discover to the Key to England on a fantastic educational trip visit Dover Castle!

New: Operation Dynamo: Rescue from Dunkirk.

Explore the Secret Wartime Tunnels deep beneath the castle to see, hear and feel - as never before!

Drayton Manor is a fun-filled theme park near Tamworth with rides like Apocalypse, Maelstrom and Pandemonium, animals and of course Thomas Land, home of Thomas the Tank Engine. There's even a 4D cinema and a Dino Trail.

School Visits

Theme park and CBeebies Land with great kids attractions; white-knuckle roller coaster rides including the Smiler, Air and Oblivion; special events and much, much more.

You can stay at our Alton Towers Resort hotel too.

Education

Discovery Museum is a science museum

A stunning Tudor merchant's house whose walls have more than a few stories to tell

Stunning woodcarving and elaborate panelling made this wealthy merchant's house a medieval des res built to impress.

Built around 1500 for Thomas Paycocke, the house is a grand example of the wealth generated in East Anglia by the cloth trade in the 16th century.

LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Berlin - it's like you've just jumped into the biggest box of LEGO®bricks ever!

 

Visit the tallest windmill in the South East of England, built in the early 1800s

Quainton Windmill is a great place for kids to learn about the history of windmills and this one in particular.

It was originally restored in the 1970s but is currently undergoing further restoration at the moment, (which means the sails have been removed)but it is still an interesting place to visit.

Discover the lost industrial heritage of the Apedale Valley

Created at the site of Staffordshire's Apedale Mine, offering an underground mine experience, with informative museum, café and gift shop.

We are located in North Staffordshire’s Apedale Community Country Park in an area that was once an industrial powerhouse.

Gold mines in use from Roman times to the 20th Century

These unique gold mines are set amid wooded hillsides overlooking the beautiful Cothi Valley.

2,000 years ago, the powerful Romans left behind a glimpse of gold-mining methods. The harsh mining environment continued in the 19th and 20th centuries, ending in 1938.

Guided tours take you back to experience the conditions of the Roman, Victorian and 1930s underground workings.

Our collections fall into two main groups.

Combe Martin has a rich history combining unique social customs with silver mining, lime burning, strawberry growing as well as the maritime aspects. 

A fantastic Seaside Laboratory is open for all to use with the facility to explore the beach and go rock-pooling. Beach safaris led by museum volunteers are held regularly when weather and tides permit

The spectacular entrance is the largest to any cave in Britain. See rope making, the remains of an underground village and find out why it is called "The Devil's Arse"! Guided tours suitable for all ages.

Unusual rock formations, the eerie sound of running water and echoes of a bygone age await you.

A beautiful medieval site with public access for walks and picnics. We run family-focused events through the year, whether it's history, wildlife and environment or archaeology, there'™s something for everyone to learn and have fun too!

Superb early 17th-century 'black and white' farmhouse with stone-tiled roof and vernacular buildings

Cwmmau Farmhouse is a timbered farmhouse boasting many original features, including stone-tiled roofs and vernacular barns.

Come and explore this quintissentially rustic English farmhouse on one of the eight days throughout the year when it is open, or stay for a long weekend when the farmhouse is open as a holiday cottage.

St Pancras railway station is a central London railway terminus and Grade I listed building. It is one of the biggest landmarks in London and serves as a gateway to Europe. It is used by 45 million passengers annually and is home to the Eurostar.

Extensive collections of buses, and battery electric vehicles. Cafe/Shop/Picnic area. Kids Kabin activities. On event days (bank holidays etc) there are classic bus rides and a miniature steam railway.

Welcome to the Wedgwood Visitor Centre, set in over 240 acres in the heart of the Staffordshire countryside.

Pottery History

London Waterloo station is a central London railway terminus and London Underground station complex in the London Borough of Lambeth. The current building was opened in 1922, but there has been a railway station on this site since 1848.

King's Cross railway station is a major London railway terminus which takes its name from the King's Cross area of London, which itself was named after a monument to King George IV that was demolished in 1845.

A striking and majestic ruined Castle

Donnington Castle stands overlooking the Lambourn Valley in an important strategic position commanding the crossing of major north–south and east–west routes.

The striking twin-towered 14th-century gatehouse of this castle, later the focus of a Civil War siege and battle, survives amid impressive earthworks.

The new Library of Birmingham is a stunning building both inside and out. Here you can:

Acres of landscape garden bordered by historic parkland and woodland.

In 1973 the Royal Institution opened a museum dedicated to Michael Faraday. It is in the main Royal Institution building in Albemarle Street. It is free and is open to the public during weekday office hours.

Rural heritage railway in the heart of Norfolk

This heritage railway takes passengers on an eleven mile trip through unspoilt Norfolk countryside, passing well-preserved signal boxes and pretty village stations. Mid-Norfolk Railway runs heritage diesel trains and there are regular visits from guest steam trains. 

Unstaffed open site, no booking required

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