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

Saxtead Green Post Mill is a corn mill, whose whole body revolves on its base and is one of many built in Suffolk from the late 13th century.

Come and enjoy our transport and engineering heritage

Ring the bell on a fire engine, drive a bus or visit our restoration zone.

The Ipswich Transport Museum has the largest collection of transport items in Britain devoted to just one town. Everything was either made or used in and around Ipswich, the county town of Suffolk. 

A rare and striking example of an early form of windmill

This unusual survivor is one of the oldest windmills in Britain. Pitstone windmill ground flour for the village for almost three hundred years until a freak storm in the early 1900s left it damaged beyond economic repair.

One of Dorset's prominent landmarks, dominated by an Iron Age hill fort

Pilsdon has a long history of occupation. Flint tools over 10,000 years old and two Bronze Age burial mounds are evidence that the site was in use long before the hill fort was built.

Like the other hill forts in Dorset, Pilsdon was abandoned after the Roman conquest, after which it's thought that it was used for rough grazing, much as it is today.

The highest point in Dorset with views between the trees over Devon, Somerset and out to sea

Standing at 915 feet (279 metres) Lewesdon Hill, along with nearby Pilsdon Pen, dominates the surrounding landscape. It's certainly an alluring hill fort, although being enclosed by woodland the views aren't uninterrupted, but the glimpses of the surrounding landscape you do get through the trees are worth the climb to the top.

An oasis of peace and tranquillity only 13 miles south-east from the centre of London

Full of natural history, the area is a haven for all kinds of bird, butterfly, amphibian and plant life.

Chalk ridge landmark with far-reaching views and rich natural heritage

Commanding the high point on the chalk ridge south-east of Salisbury, Pepperbox Hill is topped by an early example of a brick folly. Thought to have been built by Giles Eyre of Brickworth House, it may have served as a viewpoint for ladies following the hunt, a haunt for highwaymen and a lookout post for the home guard.

Stunning views from this 70-foot high folly

On top of Penshaw Hill sits the Earl of Durham's Monument.

Better known as the Penshaw Monument, this 70 foot high folly is a replica of the Temple of Hephaestus in Athens and can be seen for miles around. It is considered to be Wearside's most beloved landmark, even appearing on the badge of Sunderland Football Club.

Wooded country around Cornwall's largest natural lake

Loe Pool, the largest natural freshwater lake in Cornwall, is cut off from the sea by a broad shingle bar heaped up by heavy Atlantic seas.

The surrounding Penrose Estate is a mixture of rich farmland and woodland around Loe Pool, through which there are many paths to explore.

19th-century fantasy castle with spectacular surroundings

This enormous 19th-century neo-Norman castle sits between Snowdonia and the Menai Strait.

It's crammed with fascinating items, such as a one-ton slate bed made for Queen Victoria, elaborate carvings, plasterwork and mock-Norman furniture. It also has an outstanding collection of paintings.

Rich in industrial heritage, caves, ancient woodland and rare species

Spectacular cliffs, caves where mammoths once lived, rare birds, an underground river, bat roosts, silver lead mining, ancient woodland, smuggling and limestone quarrying are just a few of the wonders of this area.

Archaeology, lichen rich dunes and the award winning Three Cliffs Bay

Penmaen Burrows and Nicholaston Burrows are nestled between Three Cliffs Bay and Oxwich Bay. A walk through the burrows will take you through heathland, woodland, sand dunes and cliff tops.

Ape Rescue Centre

Monkey World - Ape Rescue Centre is home to over 240 rescued and endangered primates. We have 8 species of monkeys and prosimians at the park: capuchin monkeys, common marmosets, cotton-top tamarins, ring-tailed lemurs, ruffed lemur, squirrel monkeys (pictured), stump-tailed macaques and woolly monkeys.

Today the Keep Military Museum is a striking landmark on the Bridport Road in Dorchester. Completed in 1879, it was designed to resemble a Norman Castle, and is built of Portland stone which gives it a white appearance. In 'British Barracks 1600-1914', James Douet explains that:

Schools Into Europe is a family run business with over 55 years' experience of organising school trips and school tours in Europe, including the UK, France, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Italy and Poland.

Historic Haunted Castle, Himalayan Gardens, Owl Centre, MeadowVole Maze and Playgrounds

Muncaster Castle is still a privately owned family home to the Penningtons and three generations of the family still live in the Castle today.

They are actively involved in the running of the business which is set up as a not-for-profit company. The estate employees 50 local people full time at the Castle and Gardens and this grows up to more than 65 in the height of summer.

The World Owl Trust works on owl conservation on a global scale, and we have members in many countries around the world.

Our conservation programmes protect populations of endangered owls until their habitat has been restored. This has already been achieved for the European Eagle Owl and British Barn Owl.

Situated in the railway station buildings in Matlock Bath, The Centre provides a unique learning experience with its own classroom and wildlife pond. It is within easy walking distance of the River Derwent and High Tor woods.

No frills but plenty of guts

The museum tells the story of the famous Staffordshire Regiment and its predecessors while also looking forward to its role in the Mercian Regiment. 300 years of heroic history are shown through exhibits and displays, live interpretation, special exhibitions and a unique full-scale World War I Trench System. The museum is open all year round and runs an extensive event programme.

An ancient semi-natural woodland just north of Kenilworth, once part of the Forest of Arden. The wood is managed traditionally as high forest with a coppice understorey, providing tall trees of oak, birch and sweet chestnut with a lower shrub layer of hazel and holly.

Visit in May for fantastic displays of bluebells.

Species and habitats

Habitats

A magical place to experience animals, birds and all sorts of owls from all over the world. During winter months and in very wet weather the animals are displayed undercover.

Under Canvas is a fun, curriculum linked, residential experience for schools, which is rooted in the heritage and tradition of a classic school camp. The difference? We bring the tents, the activities and the instructors to your school.

Come along and enjoy flying displays, pig racing, tropical butterflies, snakes, reptiles, trout fishing and much more. Indoor and outdoor play areas for the children and barn style tea rooms for grown ups to relax.

If you're looking to plan a full day out, look no further. Woburn Safari Park offers amazing value for money, with many great activities all included in your ticket price

Head to the leisure area and Foot Safari and park for free; you'll be amazed how many exciting activities are included in your ticket price.  

54 acres of beautiful parkland with enchanting woodland walks and play areas and breathtaking views to the Fylde Coast, Morecambe Bay and the Lake District.

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