Mass-ter Science Trips with Adaptable Travel
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Cue the Muse, because for the first time in history humankind has successfully photographed a “super-massive-black hole”. This is, of course an amazing leap forward for global science and our exploration and understanding of space. Although scientists have previously been able to bring their theories and research into black holes to life in simulations, we are now, for the first time able to view a genuine, real life black hole and that’s pretty cool news for us all!
With exciting developments happening left, right, and centre it seems there’s no better time to get students engaged with the wonderful world of science. We’ve combed through the very best of our science tours to help you bring science to life, whatever topic you’re covering in the classroom. To make your job easier, we’ve highlighted not only the location but the topics this trip best caters too, helping you plan the perfect school trip. Keep reading on to discover our fantastic tours, from cosmic exploration to what it means to be human we’ve got the perfect trip for any budding scientists!
UK SCIENCE TRIPS
Primary Groups (For secondary trips scroll down)
Cornwall – STEM, Living Things, Habitats and Environmental Hygiene
Cornwall might not be the first name which springs to mind when looking for an engaging science trip for your primary students, but it proves itself as a gold mine waiting to be discovered! Combining beautiful scenery with a unique habitat for British wildlife, students will enjoy exploring every nook and cranny of this coastal region. Here’s our favourite science trips in Cornwall:
Eden Project
This visit is perfect for Key Stage 1 and 2 and offers workshops and activities addressing climate change, sustainability and our natural world. At the Eden Project students will be able to explore the climates and conditions of various zones as well as a huge collection of exotic plants from across the globe.
Padstow National Lobster Hatchery & Gweek Cornish Seal Sanctuary
These fantastic and fun visits let your students get up close and personal with animals from all climates and oceans, learning more about these through wonderful interactive experiences. Each of these visits will teach students about their impact on the natural world and the importance of conservation efforts in the UK and globally.
London – STEM, Space, The Body, Living Things, and Plants & Animals
London has so much to offer students, with a huge selection of visits bringing science to life for groups and letting them get hands on with topics covered in the classroom. From the human body to pre-historic predecessors and all the evolution in between London is sure to inspire any primary group. Take a look at our favourite tours in London below:
Body Worlds London
This brilliant experience takes student on a tour of the human body, and the different systems in side us that allow us to function day to day. Exploring the nervous, skeletal and digestive systems in breath taking displays your students will understand how each of these come together, what they do and what lays beneath their very skin.
London Zoo & Kew Gardens
At London Zoo, you and your group will be able to get to know over 600 breeds and species of the zoo’s residents, covering the zoo’s massive 14 hectares. Offering 20 interactive demonstrations and sessions a day there promises to be something to wow every student. While a trip to Kew Gardens is fit for royalty! See your students explore a staggering collection of diverse plant and tree species, developing their knowledge and appreciation for the importance of botany and plants.
Natural History Museum and Science Museum
These two fantastic museums in the heart of London let your students step into a completely unique, immersive world of science and discovery. These two museums let students discover everything such as space and the cosmos, energy and technology, the natural world around them and so much more. No stone is left unturned on a self-guided tour of these museums, bursting with interactive elements to bring topics to life and amaze your groups.
Edinburgh – STEM, Habitats, Space and Earth, Living things, Energy and Water
Edinburgh is an enriching and rewarding visit for any school group and houses a number of great attractions and experiences perfect for exploring science outside the classroom. With its rich history, beautiful architecture, fantastic hidden science gems and its accessible location Edinburgh is the ideal destination for school groups. Here’s our “best of the best” selections for an Edinburgh trip:
Deep Sea World & Edinburgh Zoo
As one of Europe’s leading centres for research, conservation and learning and the largest aquarium in Europe, both of these venues are great for students. On these visits your students will be able to get up close to over 1000 species of animal and the UK’s largest collection of temperate marine life. Not only that, your students can learn more about conservation efforts, eco-systems and the importance of the natural world.
National Museum of Scotland & Dynamic Earth Edinburgh
These visits are bursting with interactive and engaging visits for your students to explore. Covering every topic from space travel and technology to genetics, and our planets’ past, present and future, your students won’t be short of things to discover. Groups can explore story of the ever-changing surface of our earth, to the very depths of its oceans.
Secondary Groups
London – STEM, Cells, Anatomy, Space, Engineering, Materials, Matter, Waves, Communication & ICT
London has so much to offer students, with a huge selection of visits bringing science to life for groups and letting them get hands on with topics covered in the classroom. From the human body to pre-historic predecessors and all the evolution in between London is sure to inspire any primary group. Take a look at our favourite tours in London below:
Science Museum
This immersive and interactive museum will bring every avenue of science and exploration to life for your secondary groups. Catering to a number of topics including space and communication, engineering and ICT and materials and matter no matter what stage of their learning your students will be able to get hands on and grasp science with both hands!
Royal Institute - L'Oréal Young Scientist Centre
You and your group can discover more than 200 years of scientific history. Explore how the first electrical transformer came to be, how we discovered the sky was blue, and many more of the pioneering moments that made science history.
Body Worlds London & Centre of The Cell
These two totally unique yet equally spellbinding experiences take your students on a journey of the human body, our anatomies and what it truly means to be human. Delve beneath our skin and look at our nervous, skeletal, muscular and digestive systems in breath-taking anatomical detail. Students will also be able to explore medical and dental laboratories, learn about cells in greater detail and find out about the latest medical research, all combined with interactive activities.
Thames Barrier & Exhibition
This huge feat of engineering was built in 1984, to protect London from flooding caused by the River Thames. Students visiting the Thames Barrier can learn more about how engineers designed and built this colossal structure and how it functions. This enormous barrier stands at the same height as a 5-storey building when raised, which usually occurs during storm surge conditions and periods of high flow which may affect areas in West London. The exhibit documents the history of the river and the barrier and how this works, allowing students to better understand how bodies of water, waves and currents affect this structure.
OVERSEAS SCIENCE TRIPS
Secondary Groups
Geneva/CERN – STEM, Energy, Particles, Matter and Materials, Engineering, IT and Communications
Tours to Geneva offer your secondary students a unique opportunity to visit CERN, the World’s largest particle physics laboratory. Not only this but it also offers a range of other intriguing and inspirational museums, which bring different aspects of science to life for students, aiding their grasp on topics covered in the classroom. Check out our top picks from this fantastic location below:
CERN
Visits and half day tours to the CERN centre will let your students experience the ground breaking nuclear research and particle physics taking place at the home of the World Wide Web. The visits can be themed to include coverage on topic such as Accelerating Particles, Discovering Antimatter, Information Technology and Calculations and Communications, promising to cater to every students scientific side.
SIG Solar 3
SIG Solar 3 is a huge power station, one of the largest in Switzerland! You and your students can embark on a guided tour of the facilities to gain a deeper understanding for sustainable energy sources such as the ones used at SIG which features 6,000 photovoltaic panels. In other words, producing enough solar energy for almost 300 homes.
Centre for Research in Plasma Physics
This laboratory is dedicated to the study and development of plasma physics and fusion as a new energy source. On visits students will get to understand the basic principles behind plasmas and fusion, as well as the chance to see the devices used during their research. These devices include the tokamak fusion reactor, which is the only one of its kind in Switzerland.
Florida – STEM, Space, Energy, Engineering, Electrical Circuits, and Species and Evolution
Florida is universally known for its significance in space exploration giving it a unique edge for school science trips, for those wanting to venture further afield. However, that’s not all Florida has to offer students, museums, science centres and unique experiences allow your students to explore every avenue of the wonderful world of science. We’ve listed our favourite visits below for those searching for some school trip inspiration:
NASA Kennedy Space Centre
This experience promises to be a truly unforgettable one for your students, letting them experience the launch of Apollo 8, discover NASA’s plans for deep space exploration and even meet an astronaut for unforgettable insight. Bursting with interactive and immersive exhibits your students will feel as though they’ve joined the ranks of cosmic explorers.
Orlando Science Centre
This science centre in Orlando, Florida is a one stop shop for all thing’s science. Visits will see students explore everything from kinetics and energy to engineering, space and the natural world and the species within it. These topics are brought to life in hands on zones throughout the museum letting your students delve into each topic fully.
I-Fly Indoor Skydiving & STEM Master Class
This fantastic STEM program is designed to engage your students with STEM topics using the unique “iFly” facilities, including an amazing in door wind tunnel. You and your group will be guided through the facilities by trained STEM educators and take part in interactive presentations, wind tunnel demonstrations and lab experiments throughout the tour.
Tokyo – Engineering, Technology and Communications, Space and Earth
Tokyo is an undisputed giant of modern technologies and innovation; it has used this innovation to birth some of the most dynamic and unique experiences for students studying various topics in the classroom. Keep reading to discover our favourite science gems in Tokyo’s dazzling crown:
National Science Museum (Kokuritsu Kagaku Hakubutsukan)
This general science museum boasts a large and varied collection of materials and information from natural sciences, their histories and developments. Other exhibits include a deeper look into meteorites and a unique Solar System Timekeeper. Students will be able to learn more about science and the topics covered in school, through hands-on experiences.
The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan)
This museum allows your students to develop an understanding of the world around them, from a scientific point of view. It encourages them to discuss and explore the future of our world in terms of technology and science. As well as informative exhibitions your group can get hands on with exciting and innovative technologies and sciences on a self-guided tour of the facilities.
ASIMO Robot
Honda’s famous humanoid robot ASIMO is a completely unique visit for students visiting Tokyo. Standing for Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility the robot is programmed to have many humanlike skills including running, hopping, kicking footballs and even having a boogie! Demonstrations are ‘choreographed’ by skilled engineers keeping track behind the scenes.
