The Look Out Discovery Centre
The Look Out Discovery Centre
The Look Out Discovery Centre has over 90 exhibits suitable for children of all ages. Toddlers and younger children love the indoor stream, mini supermarket and soft play area. Older children through to adults will be fascinated by the hands-on science exhibits and puzzles. Entry prices are on our opening times and prices page.
Grab a chance to win a family ticket to the hands-on science and nature exhibition, just complete any of our evaluation forms and we will enter you into the prize draw.
Forces and Movement Zone
It’s time to lift off! Launch a hydrogen rocket or send a huge hot air balloon skyward. See the world suspended mid-air by our Bernoulli blower.
Body and Perception Zone
Challenge your body and brain. Test your reaction speed on Batak, or create an amazing design with our art machine. Can you solve the jigsaw of the human body?
Light and Colour Zone
Have some colourful fun with Optimusic - step on the colour beams as fast as you can. Capture your silhouette in the shadow box or play a tune with laser beams.
Woodland and Water Zone
Play with boats in our indoor stream. Learn some incredible facts about our local wildlife. Become fascinated by the colony of busy leaf-cutter ants. (Please note that the woodland and water zone is unheated).
Build It! Zone
Become a member of The Look Out construction crew by helping to build the new house at The Look Out. Great teamwork is required. Use the rubble chute, wheelbarrows, design a house or drive the dumper trucks. Lots of fun.
Hands-on Science Exhibition
At The Look Out there are more than 90 hands-on science and nature exhibits, which are ideal for child-centred learning and investigation. You will have science literally at your fingertips.
The centre has welcomed school groups since 1996 and staff are highly experienced in ensuring your visit is well organised. Upon booking, you will receive a copy of our risk assessment and further useful information. Upon arrival, The Look Out staff will explain the logistics of the visit to make sure the day runs smoothly.
It is essential to pre-book a visit - £4.40 per pre-booked child, 1 adult free for every 6 children (or 1 for every 4 children for Foundation Stage).
Our shows include:
Key stage 1 and 2
Starlab, Inflatable planetarium
Little stars (under 5s)
Get star struck in our Starlab show Little Stars. Join Ursa and Leo on their amazing journey through space and find out what they see. Pupils look at the Sun, Earth and Moon and the Solar System, wonder at the stars and the patterns they make.
Space stories (Key stage 1)
Join Ernest the Bear as he sets out to visit the moon and discovers the planets and stars along the way. Space Stories is an interactive, multi-sensory Starlab show for Key stage 1 children. Pupils will learn about stars and patterns of the stars, the Earth as a planet in space and other planets.
Exploring the Solar system (Key stage 2)
Tackling difficult concepts is key to this presentation. Pupils observe the motions of the Sun, Moon and stars across the sky and think about how this relates to Earth’s place within our Solar System. They will be challenged to make similar observations from the surfaces of other planets as well as gather an understanding of star constellations, light pollution and much more.
Fun challenging maths (Key stage 2)
Never before have we offered this exciting new workshop. This is a practical workshop rather than a show using a great variety of challenging puzzles. Experiment with numbers, shape, space, measurement and handling data.
Toys in trouble (Key stage 1)
The Look Out mascot owl Eric invited his friends over to play but his naughty twin sister Erica has messed up his room. Can you help Eric sort out his toys? Find out how his toys work. In this interactive show we look at the science behind toys including how things move by using electricity, magnets, air, gravity and clockwork.
Backpack trails
The Look Out backpacks are designed to be used for outside, but in bad weather are suitable for inside use. Using the backpacks involves a short walk, stopping at various points and concentrating on national curriculum themes. Backpacks can be hired in advance and are self led.
There are two different backpacks available - nature explorers (4 to 8 year olds) and materials detectives (8 to 11 year olds).
The cost is £1.85 per child in addition to the entrance charge.
Information sessions and complimentary visits for leaders
Complimentary visits for teachers
Teachers are welcome to have a complimentary pre-visit, once they have booked a visit, for carrying out a risk assessment and so on. If you are interested in bringing a school to The Look Out and would like a complimentary visit of the hands-on science and nature exhibition please use our enquiry form.
Starlab for Schools
The Look Out On The Road is an outreach service for schools. We can bring Starlab (our mobile planetarium) to your school. We also have challenge workshops available during school terms or why not book one of our fun shows Yucky You, the Slime Show, the Brain Drain show or Dinosaur show. For more information please go to our Outreach for Schools page.
We can do up to 4 sessions a day with up to 35 children per session and our experienced presenters are happy to tailor the day to fit your needs.