What is it?
The word science comes from the Latin term "scientia" meaning knowledge, which reasonably accurately sums up what it's all about; the modern definition of scientific practice is the organisation and understanding of knowledge to form reasonable explanations about the universe.
What does it involve?
Science can be applied to almost anything in the world, so involves a great variety of things! In general, science concerns itself with understand the way things work, and how they came to be in the first place. Learning about science often includes experiments and demonstrations that help you to understand the ideas that are being presented to you e.g. putting dirty pennies into an acidic solution to demonstrate the chemical reaction between the acid and the copper of the pennies.
Why do it and what are the benefits?
Having an understanding of science has many benefits! It encourages students to be curious about the world around them, and develops patience, communication and perseverance. Scientific study is also good for encouraging students to form their own opinions about things after thorough research instead of taking things at face value; it's great for sparking off independent thought.
What equipment do we need?
Equipment needs will depend entirely on the activity! Chemistry will require a fair bit of apparatus, but science is by no means limited to classroom chemical reactions. Simple activities such as going outside and learning about the flowers and insects is science, and requires no equipment at all! If you are unsure what you may need to provide for any given trip, contact the venue ahead of time and make enquiries!
Who is it suitable for?
Science is a great activity for those of all ages! The sheer variety of subjects that can include science guarantees that everybody will be interested somehow, and the complexity of the information can be adjusted for different age groups' level of understanding.
Costs?
This will depend entirely on the type of activity. Some venues may have free access to their facilities but charge for time spent with an instructor, and others may charge you one entry fee and then free access to everything available inside. You will need to check out what sort of things are available in your area to get an idea of what costs will apply to what activities.
Issues/Things to think about? (unsuitable for age groups, medical conditions etc)
If the activity involves chemicals or similar substances, you must exercise extreme caution with young children! If you are not confident in the safety of your students then you may wish to adjust the activity or increase the supervision!
How do we include?
The easiness of including those with disabilities will heavily depend on the type of activity - the best thing to do would be to consult the venue ahead of time with the details of your students and see what their set up is.
Doing it abroad?
Science is present all over the world! There are likely to be fun scientific activities wherever you go, especially if a venue caters for school groups - do some research ahead of time to see what's available at your destination.
Main website:
Check out specific venue websites for activity information.
What is your favourite sea creature?
The awesome Sharks, the scary Piranhas or perhaps is it the cute Seahorses that you love the most? Are you a Bonnethead Shark lover? Perhaps it’s the Clownfish or the clever Octopus that you love the most. Maybe you simply can’t decide!
SEA LIFE Bray offers an interactive, hands-on visit for schools, groups and birthday parties. With an array of amazing creatures and our helpful and knowledgeable staff on hand to answer questions and offer amazing facts about the creatures that you'll see, this is an inspiring visit for all.
Centrally located on the resort side of the island, WILD LIFE Hamilton Island (formerly Hamilton Island Wildlife Park), provides the perfect place for you to get up close and personal with some unique Australian wildlife.
Shanghai Changfeng Ocean World is part of Europe's first and the world's second British Merlin Entertainment Group (Merlin Entertainment Group). It is located in the scenic Changfeng Park, the main building located at 13 meters silver hoe lake. Is a large marine animal shows and aquarium fish exhibition of integrated marine theme park. National youth science education base, Shanghai thematic sc
Take advantage of the AquaDom & SEA LIFE Berlin as an attractive, non-school setting for school class visits. Motivate your students with a trip to where they experience native and tropical habitats of the oceans up close and learn with all senses.
With thousands creatures on display, a visit to SEA LIFE Kansas City will engage your student’s senses. In addition to the spectacular view from the underwater tunnel, children can get involved at the interactive rockpool by holding a crab or even touching a starfish.
With so much to see and experience you will take learning beyond the classroom and into a new underwater world.
SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium offers an interactive, hands-on visit for schools, groups and birthday parties. With an array of amazing creatures along with our helpful and knowledgeable staff to answer your questions and provide unique facts about the creatures that you'll see, this is an inspiring visit for all.
Bring your class to the newest attraction in Jesolo!
With over 5,000 creatures on display, a visit to SEA LIFE Jesolo will engage your pupils’ senses. In addition to the spectacular view from the underwater tunnel, children can get involved at the interactive rockpool by holding a crab or even touching a starfish.
The SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium Underwater Zoo Education program is delivered by trained and passionate marine educators who deliver face-to-face teaching sessions focusing on a range of specialised topics.
SEA LIFE Busan Aquarium is a state-of-the-art unique edutainment based aquarium, embarking on a new journey of dedicating resources and efforts to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of the iconic finless porpoise.
Combining active, hands-on learning with fascinating educational talks and an opportunity to have an up close and personal view into our amazing aquatic world, a visit to SEA LIFE centre Paris is an educational experience.
A school trip to SEA LIFE offers children the opportunity to discover the submarine world through experience. They can feel how strong a mussel is, hold a shark’s egg or see up close how a shrimp swims. By watching and exploring they discover a world of new facts.
Discover the fascinating and beautiful marine world in SEA LIFE Scheveningen. The world of shrimps, starfish and crabs, stingrays and sharks. Discover the beautiful fish from one of the worlds largest rivers in Amazonia, where you will meet the dangerous piranhas.
Test your reactions against the speed of a robot, generate power from water or pull a locomotive by hand.
Investigate science and discover more about the power of technology at Enginuity.
Take advantage of the SEA LIFE Hannover as an attractive, non-school setting for school class visits. Motivate your students with a trip to where they experience native and tropical habitats of the oceans up close and learn with all senses.
Take advantage of the SEA LIFE Oberhausen as an attractive, non-school setting for school class visits. Motivate your students with a trip to where they experience native and tropical habitats of the oceans up close and learn with all senses.
Take advantage of the SEA LIFE München as an attractive, non-school setting for school class visits. Motivate your students with a trip to where they experience native and tropical habitats of the oceans up close and learn with all senses.
Take advantage of the SEA LIFE Konstanz as an attractive, non-school setting for school class visits. Motivate your students with a trip to where they experience native and tropical habitats of the oceans up close and learn with all senses.
Dive in a Ship Wreck and find fish as beautiful and strange as the leaf fish, the puffy fish or the rock mover wrasse. Dory, from Finding Nemo, is also around. Discover her scientific name.
Feel like a real fish in the water, inside our Oceanic Tunnel, the first and only in our country!
Take advantage of the SEA LIFE Timmendorfer Strand as an attractive, non-school setting for school class visits. Motivate your students with a trip to where they experience native and tropical habitats of the oceans up close and learn with all senses.
SEA LIFE Loch Lomond Aquarium is just 30 minutes from Glasgow, situated on the stunning Loch Lomond Shores. Explore an amazing underwater world and take a fascinating journey from the Loch Lomond shores to the ocean depths through 7 themed zones, including our Tropical Ocean Tunnel.
Take advantage of the SEA LIFE Königswinter as an attractive, non-school setting for school class visits. Motivate your students with a trip to where they experience native and tropical habitats of the oceans up close and learn with all senses.
With over 5,000 creatures on display, a visit to SEA LIFE Charlotte-Concord Aquarium will engage your students' senses. In addition to the spectacular view from the underwater tunnel, children can get involved at the interactive rockpool by holding a crab or even touching a starfish.
The Bushcraft Company offer residential school trips with a difference, taking students into the wild and giving them real back-to-nature experiences they will never forget.
A 15-year-old boy fell 60ft over the edge of a cliff whilst on a geography school trip, miraculously only suffering minor injuries.