Oxfordshire science visit case studies

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Explorer Dome
Birmingham Think Tank Outreach
The Black Hole Planetarium
Science Oxford
ZooLab
The National Space Centre
Combe Mill

Explorer Dome

'Explorer Dome' - is a portable planetarium that travels to schools in South West England, Wales and beyond. KS1 experience light and dark, shadows and rainbows and why not to be afraid of the dark. KS2 experience and investigate light and colour, what light is, where it comes from, how it travels and how we see. Also mirrors, prisms, lenses, reflection and colour mixing."

Photos courtesy of Explorer Dome

Feedback:

"To the children's amazement they set up a huge inflatable dome in the school hall. Each from the foundation stage to yr 6 had a session in the dome….All the children were spellbound; the atmosphere inside the dome was electric. The presentation was displayed outstandingly, it was all visual so all the children could understand and learn from it. Afterwards the children demonstrated how much they had learnt and gained from the session. The presenters successfully managed to aim the level of the content to the age of the children. The staff were very impressed and have requested that we book them again next year... As a school we could heartily recommend them. We certainly intend to ask them to come back again."
(Science Coordinator, St Kenelm's Primary School, August 2008)

For more information: www.explorerdome.co.uk

Birmingham Think Tank Outreach

The innovative science museum in Birmingham, Think Tank, runs an outreach programme for schools. The team presents stimulating and informative curriculum relevant shows, workshops and debates.

Shows include:

The Electricity Show
The Fabulous Forces Show
The Invisible Forces Workshop
Things That Move Workshop

Photos courtesy of Thinktank Trust

Feedback:

"Wow! That was the children's reaction and also that of the adults present... They were efficient, well organised, knew their science and equipment and were extremely professional with the children. The content of the programme was excellent and the children have commented on numerous occasions on what they have learned. Value for money - Excellent... Again, all I can say is WOW! What a great day."
(Teacher, Shellingford Primary School, January 2008)

For more information: www.thinktank.ac

The Black Hole Planetarium

The Black Hole Planetarium is a mobile Planetarium which is based in Leamington Spa that can travel to you! The objective is to amplify and enhance aspects of the National Curriculum by use of various projection devices and visual aids in what is a unique and stimulating learning environment.

Feedback:

"The experience has been a positive one for the whole school and all the children have been inspired by it... Year 4 have been so enthralled that they wrote poetry as well as using the information for their literacy report writing... Their non chronological report writing has improved as a result of their interest in the topic and they have produced work which they find interesting and are keen to share with others... Children who find literacy challenging have been able to use the planetarium visit as inspiration for writing and have been able to revise this topic for their forthcoming SATs tests... The planetarium visit has given the whole school a joint focus which has led to pupils being engaged in the learning process. This is evident in the quality of the artwork pupils have produced. The children have been inspired to use their imaginations to develop a theme, which although initially teacher led, has enabled them to take ownership and express themselves... The experience of an activity which could be accessed by the whole school, whilst only for one day, has been very rewarding for both pupils and staff... The children's enthusiasm for knowing more about our solar system and the universe continues unabated. Thank you very much for giving us this opportunity, which we hope will inspire life long learning in our children."
(Science Coordinator, St Joseph's Catholic Primary School)

Email: black.hole@ntlworld.com
Tel: 01926 733440

Science Oxford (formally the Oxford Trust)

Science Oxford is at the heart of science and enterprise in Oxford; it offers a range of facilities to aid the learning of science for children and also runs an outreach programme for schools.

Photos courtesy of Science Oxford

Feedback:

"The workshops were very well planned and carefully timetabled in advance by Science Oxford. We would certainly recommend them to other schools. They were very good value for money. Presenters were experienced with working with children of this age group and children responded well to the challenges.
(Science Coordinator, Larkrise Primary School)

For more information: http://www.scienceoxford.com/

ZooLab

ZooLab provide curriculum based workshops and hands-on roadshows. These include: Habitats, lifecycles, minibeasts, and the rainforest. A wide range of animals are brought to each school, including boa constrictors, African land snails and cane toads!

Photos courtesy of ZooLab

Feedback:

"All children were invited to handle or touch each animal...the talk included details of habitat, growth, diet, species and grouping. [The presenter] was sensitive to the children and encouraged questions and sharing of knowledge."
(Science Coordinator, Lewknor Primary School)

For more information: www.zoolabuk.com

National Space Centre, Leicester

The National Space Centre in Leicester run a range of education and Space Academy programmes, all linked with the curriculum. These include space theatre shows, tailored workshops and simulated space missions.

Photos courtesy of Woodcote Primary School

For more information: www.spacecentre.co.uk

Combe Mill, Oxfordshire

Combe Mill is a timber saw mill, museum and workshop located in Oxfordshire. It presents a wonderful hands-on experience of the history of small scale industrial technology. Many aspects of the school syllabus can be illustrated using the engines, machinery and craft tools at the Mill.

Photos courtesy of Combe Mill

Feedback:

"The class had a fantastic day when they went to Combe Mill. We split into 2 groups and one had a guided tour of a very varied woodland (not open to the public), complete with activities to do. The other group had a tour of the mill led by some very kind and knowledeable gentlemen volunteers (who had given up their whole day for us!) They explained how a basic steam engine works with models the children could use, but the best bit was watching wood turners and a jigsaw then they got to work in the forge making pokers!!!!!! Every child and adult had a turn and we brought the pokers home with us. It was a fantastic day, the parent helpers thought it was great too. Thoroughly recommended!"
(Teacher, Bladon Primary School)

For more information: www.combemill.org