The Control Tower of this historic air base houses a living memorial to the American airmen and their planes, based here during World War II.
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:
Association for Science Education
Membership through Handsam
Radiation Protection Officer services through Handsam
Inclusion: NASEN
Thought of visiting?
Centre for Alternative Technology
Michael Faraday Museum, London
National Conservation Centre, Liverpool
Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester
Techniquest (various locations in Wales including Cardiff, Wrexham and Pembrokeshire)
Venues for this Curriculum
Over 720 species including some of the world’s most impressive and inspiring animals.
As visitors walk around the Zoo’s 36 acre site, they are brought closer to nature with walk through sections to explore.
A visit to Tower Bridge Exhibition is the most exciting way to explore and experience the most famous Bridge in the world. Within the Bridge's iconic structure and magnificent Victorian Engine rooms there is plenty to see and do!
Tranquil waterway running for nearly 20 miles through the heart of Surrey
The Wey was one of the first British rivers to be made navigable, and opened to barge traffic in 1653.
STA Travel is the world’s largest travel company for teachers, students and young people. With over 35 years’ experience STA Travel Education organises safe, secure and exciting tailor-made trips for Schools, Colleges and Universities.
Situated close to the city centre, Edgbaston Reservoir is a site of importance for nature conservation.
The tremendous view from the top of Sutton Bank must rank as one of the finest in Britain.
Unspoilt beach, farmland and cliffs on the Jurassic Coast
Spend a day on this quiet stretch of the West Dorset coast where you can take a walk across the cliff tops above Ringstead, bring a kite, or pack a picnic and follow one of the steep ancient tracks down to the shingle beach. The water is incredibly clear and safe for bathing.
A secluded, unspolit beach at Ayrmer
Located next to the beautiful village of Ringmore, Ayrmer Cove is an amazing site with stunning open cliff faces and rock formations with views out to secluded coves.
One of Yorkshire's finest 18th-century landscape gardens, containing two temples
Discover one of Ryedale's true gems - the 18th-century landscape of Rievaulx Terrace. Stroll through woods, then out on to the terrace, with its stunning views down over the Cistercian ruin of Rievaulx Abbey.
Beautiful and breathtaking views on the Gower peninsula
Breathtaking Rhossili bay, with its three mile long sandy beach, is overlooked by the Old Rectory, the most popular National Trust holiday cottage. Visible on the beach at low tide are the remains of the Helvetia, a ship wrecked in 1887.
Spectacular escarpment with sweeping views across the Weald
This stretch of the North Downs is good walking country with flower-sprinkled grasslands and quiet shady woods. A lovely spot too for family picnics and games.
Sitting proud at the top of the Hill is the 19th-century Reigate Fort. The fort commands a historic defensive position looking out over the weald towards the South Downs.
A charming Georgian building, built as a workhouse in 1764, now filled with a rich variety of displays and a regular and varied exhibitions programme.
Education
To learn more about the programme or to discuss your requirements please contact Rebecca Parrant.
Discover a medieval castle, now a green oasis for wildlife but still at the centre of daily life
Although you might not think it today, the mount and surrounding lands are the remnant of an early medieval wooden motte and bailey castle built by Sweyn, Sheriff of Essex. With the castle long gone, the area is now an urban wildlife haven and green lung in the heart of Rayleigh town centre, offering sweeping views across the Crouch Valley.
Spanning the Estuary of the River Forth in Scotland, the Forth Bridge represents the pinnacle of 19th century iron and steel bridge construction. A world wonder of its age, this Victorian engineering marvel that was made possible by new steel production processes, is arguably the world's greatest and most famous cantilever bridge
One of Britain's greatest industrial heritage sites, showing how a complete industrial community lived
Quarry Bank overflows with the atmosphere of the Industrial Revolution.
A place apart where beauty and adventure come to life
From towering sea cliffs, rolling hills and heaths to the dunes and sandy beaches of Studland, nowhere else packs such a variety of landscapes into such a small area.
As a result, Purbeck is the richest place for plant life in Britain, home to 14 out of 17 British bat species and supports all six native reptiles.
A 280 acre paradise of sea cliffs, coastal limestone downland, meadows, hedgerows and woods.
Durlston Country Park, National Nature Reserve and Castle is a mile from Swanage in Dorset. This countryside paradise has stupendous views, the Great Globe (a huge recreation of planet Earth), a variety of walks and fascinating geology - there's always something new to see and do.
If you are looking for somewhere that is more like a home from home, with outdoor education programmes that are crafted with care, delivered by quality people, driven by our values of Education, Inspiration and Play; A place rooted in the rich heritage and tradition of learning outside – Great News! You have just found it.
Beautiful and intimate 18th-century landscape garden
One of only four Palladian bridges of this design in the world can be crossed at Prior Park, which was created in the 18th century by local entrepreneur Ralph Allen, with advice from 'Capability' Brown and the poet Alexander Pope.
Experience over 100 years of the Army in the Air
The Museum of Army Flying is home to a unique collection of military aviation history, one of both international and national importance. We give a fascinating and imaginative glimpse of “soldiers in the air” and life on the Home Front.
Trace the history of drinking water, from the time of cave dwellers to present day, through a number of great displays and wonderful working engines. A number of Open Days in Steam throughout the year.
Based in a Victorian pumping station that served Hereford for 120 years, the museum tells the story of drinking water throughout the ages through a number of high quality displays.
An underground wonderland of stalactites, stalagmites, rocks, minerals and fossils. Home to Blue John Stone. The tour takes you to see Aladdin's Cave, Fairyland and the Dream Cave. The most famous formation is "The Stork". Events include an Easter Egg Hunt and at Christmas "Carols by Candlelight".
The most modern and spine-chilling of English Heritage’s properties, the York Cold War Bunker uncovers the secret history of Britain’s Cold War. Enter the blast-proof doors and investigate the more unusual side of York’s heritage.
In active service from the 1960s–1990s the bunker was designed as a nerve-centre to monitor fall-out in the event of a nuclear attack.
Washington Wetland Centre, set on the banks of the River Wear, is a perfect destination for every type of group. In particular, we welcome school groups of all sizes, all year round.
Get close to rare and exotic birds, mammals and different wetland habitats. Walk with a warden, bug hunt or tour the duckery. You’ll also see colourful flamingos and the rarest goose in the world!
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