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 [email protected].

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

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.

Connect your PUPILS with the natural world by visiting Knowsley Safari or in your own classroom through booking our outreach team.

Knowsley is a great place for kids to discover more about the natural world and it's a fantastic opportunity to bring the curriculum to life. Prices start from just £7 per pupil and this includes a safari school educational workshop.

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.

Bring your class to the newest attraction in Charlotte-Concord!

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.

Breathtaking stretch of silver sands surrounded by wildlife-rich dunes

The sandy beach is backed by dunes where a variety of flowers bloom: bluebells, cowslips, burnet roses and, to give it its common name, bloody cranesbill, amongst others.

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.

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!

Within the South Downs National Park and Heritage Coast. We have indoor facilities in one of the old barns. The Cuckmere valley and Seven Sisters provide a stunning backdrop for fieldwork across a wide range of habitats including coastal, river, and woodland. Activities include team building and forest school sessions.

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.

School and Club Visits

Bristol Aquarium welcomes schools, youth groups and clubs throughout the year. With over 40 displays and over 4,000 aquatic creatures in themed geographical zones, Bristol Aquarium offers a fun and inspirational day out for children of all ages.

Book an Aquarium Safari

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.

Educational Field Trips

The grounds at Harewood are ideal for watching wild birds attracted by the variety of different habitats – ideal for those birds living and breeding here or just visiting on a seasonal basis.

The bird life around these areas can be easily observed from the many footpaths and gardens, or even sat on the Terrace relaxing with a cup of tea in The Terrace Cafe.

The museum of the history of Jute

'If it wasnae for the weavers where would we be?' A visit to award-winning attraction Scotland's Jute Museum @ Verdant Works in Dundee is a great day out for everyone.

Ancient commons, mentioned in the Domesday Book, with grassland plains, mighty oak woods and serene ponds

Bookham Commons' varied landscapes, from ancient oak woods to grassland plains and tranquil ponds, support an abundance of wildlife, which can be heard and seen throughout the seasons.

The Manly SEA LIFE Sanctuary education program is delivered by trained and passionate marine educator officers and it’s this, combined with our commitment to marine conservation, which makes us the Northern Beaches' leading school excursion venue.

Situated in West Sussex and set in 465 acres of country estate, Wakehurst boasts ornamental gardens, temperate woodlands, a nature reserve and an Elizabethan mansion. 

Magnificent Edwardian gardens flowing from grand vistas to intimate spaces overlooked by a large mansion

Dyffryn Gardens are an exceptional example of Edwardian garden design. Covering more than 55 acres they feature a stunning collection of intimate garden rooms including a rose garden, Pompeian garden and several ponds.

Planted over twenty years ago by brothers Lindsay and Edward Heyes, the fun of the aMazing Hedge Puzzle has made it Herefordshire's most popular private tourist attraction.

Your school field trip to SEA LIFE will include:

  • Rockpool Experience – Get up close and personal with our creatures
  • Free Chaperone Tickets – 1 free Chaperone Ticket per every 5 Student Tickets purchased
  • Free educational talks throughout the day that your class can attend 
  • Free Teacher Preview Visit
  • Free Downloadable Resources

Begin your journey into the astounding underwater world by taking a look at the Giant Spider Crab and the Giant Pacific Octopus. These aquatic creatures amaze us with their ability to camoflage themselves with surrounding rocks and other ocean features.

In a narrow tree-lined valley just north of Lydney in Gloucestershire lies the Dean Forest Railway. Run almost entirely by volunteers it offers visitors the chance to soak up the sight, sounds and smells of travel on a rural branch railway operated by steam trains – and the occasional heritage diesel.

Far from the sea, but still a great view

Mariners Hill is much enjoyed by local people and dog walkers, who value its tranquil walks and excellent panoramic views of the Weald.

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