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Pre-school and Key Stage 1

Fossil finders Discover the magic of prehistoric worlds through playful and imaginative games and activities in this hands-on workshop. Students will make their own fossils, move like a dinosaur and find out about the creatures that once roamed the Earth. Supports a visit to the Fossils and funny bones exhibition. Max. 30 students and 15 accompanying adults per workshop. Cost: £1.75 per pupil. Duration: 1 hour. National Curriculum links: Sc1 Scientific enquiry; Sc2 Life processes and living things. Foundation Stage goals: Personal, social and emotional development; Communication, language and literacy; Mathematical development; Knowledge and understanding of the world; Physical development; Creative development. Dates available: 3-28 September, 15-19 October, 12 November - 7 December, 21 January - 8 February, 3-14 March, 12-23 May.

 

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Jungle senses See, hear, smell, touch and taste the rainforest in this hands-on workshop. Students will create a rainforest rainstorm and find out more about what grows and lives in a rainforest. Max. 30 students and 15 accompanying adults per workshop. Cost: £1.75 per pupil. Duration: 1 hour. National Curriculum links: Sc1 Scientific enquiry; Sc2 Life processes and living things. Foundation Stage goals: Personal, social and emotional development; Communication, language and literacy; Knowledge and understanding of the world; Physical development; Creative development. Dates available: 3 September -12 October, 10-21 December, 31 March - 4 April, 21-25 April, 2-13 June.

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Pushes and pulls An exciting and interactive workshop investigating the forces we experience every day. Students will learn about forces through fun activities including making their own windmills and launching rockets. Cost: £1.75 per pupil. Duration: 1 hour. National Curriculum links: Sc1 Scientific enquiry; Sc3.2 Changing materials; Sc4.2 Forces and motion. Dates available: 3-28 September, 26 November - 7 December, 2-18 January, 17-28 March, 28 April - 9 May, 16 June - 4 July.

Body basics A hands-on workshop focusing on the body and the basic needs for life. Students will test their senses, learn about the skeleton, compare humans to other living things and see the body from the inside out with Stuffee, the giant doll with removable organs. Cost: £1.75 per pupil. Duration: 1 hour. National Curriculum links: Sc1 Scientific enquiry; Sc2.1 Life processes; Sc2.2 Humans and other animals. Dates available: 3-28 September, 29 October - 9 November, 11-15 February, 25-29 February, 12-23 May, 7-25 July.

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Changing materials
Students examine changes of state and the properties of materials found in the kitchen through hands-on activities. Pupils will test predictions, make observations and draw conclusions. The workshop will end with a tasty treat to share.

Cost: £3.00 per pupil. Duration: 1 hour.
National Curriculum links: Sc1 Scientific enquiry; Sc3.2 Changing materials.

Dates available: 3 September - 12 October, 29 October - 9 November, 10-21 December, 21 January - 8 February, 17-28 March, 7-25 July.

Earth, Sun and Moon Discover how astronauts explore space, examine scale models of the Solar System and sample some real space food in this fun and interactive workshop. Students will find out how the movement of the Earth and Moon relate to night and day and the phases of the Moon. Why not theme your day by also visiting the Planetarium? (See page 17 for details). Cost: £3.00. Duration: 1 hour. National Curriculum links: Sc1 Scientific enquiry; Sc4.4 The Earth and beyond. Dates available: 3 September -12 October, 29 October - 23 November, 2-18 January, 3-14 March, 28 April - 9 May, 16 June - 4 July.

Electricity and magnetism
Students will explore conductors, insulators, circuits and magnets. They will power a clock with fruit and discover the Earth's magnetic field by making their own compasses.

Cost: £2.25 per pupil. Duration: 1 hour.
National Curriculum links: Sc1 Scientific enquiry; Sc4.1 Electricity.

Dates available: 3-28 September, 12-23 November, 2-18 January, 11-15 February, 25-29 February, 17-28 March, 2-13 June.

Fantastic forces This workshop explores the forces of everyday life. Through experiments and fun activities, including making their own jumping animal, students will investigate friction, air resistance and gravity. Cost: £2.25 per pupil. Duration: 1 hour. National Curriculum links: Sc1 Scientific enquiry; Sc4.2 Forces and motion. Dates available: 3-28 September, 15-19 October, 26 November - 7 December, 3-14 March, 28 April - 9 May, 2 June - 4 July.

Healthy bodies This lively workshop uses challenges and demonstrations, allowing students to investigate the inner workings and structure of their bodies, and the importance of diet and exercise in keeping it healthy. Supports a visit to the LoveSport exhibition. Cost: £2.25 per pupil. Duration: 1 hour. National Curriculum links: Sc1 Scientific enquiry; Sc2.1 Life processes; Sc2.2 Humans and other animals. Dates available: 3 September -12 October, 12-23 November, 10-21 December, 21 January - 8 February, 31 March - 4 April, 21-25 April, 12-23 May.

Light and shadow
Students will explore the properties of light in this hands-on workshop. Through experiments and fun activities they will investigate reflection, colour mixing and shadows.

Cost: £3.00 per pupil. Duration: 1 hour.
National Curriculum links: Sc1 Scientific enquiry; Sc4.3 Light and sound.

Dates available: 3-28 September, 26 November - 7 December, 11-15 February, 25-29 February, 28 April - 9 May, 16 June - 4 July.

Habitats This interactive workshop gives students the chance to investigate different habitats, including rainforest, savannah and seashore. They will meet live animals and get some hands-on experience with biological artefacts. Cost: £3.00. Duration: 1 hour. National Curriculum links: Sc1 Scientific enquiry; Sc2.1 Life processes; Sc2.5 Living things in their environment. Dates available: 3-28 September, 15-19 October, 10-21 December, 17-28 March, 12-23 May, 7-25 July.

Ideas and evidence
Students will investigate intriguing and interesting natural artifacts in this hands-on workshop. Using microscopes, magnifying glasses and measuring tools, they will investigate bones, shells, skins, feathers and much more.

Cost: £2.25 per pupil. Duration: 50 minutes.
National Curriculum links: Sc1 Scientific enquiry; Sc2.1 Life processes; Sc2.5 Living things in their environment.

Dates available: 3-28 September, 15-19 October, 11-15 February, 25-29 February, 31 March - 4 April, 21-25 April, 2-13 June, 7-25 July.

Graph attack!
Upper KS2 only
An exciting and hands-on workshop that uses games, challenges and problem-solving activities to explore, interpret and draw conclusions from graphs. Students will also use their own bodies to make living graphs. The workshop covers key skills that students require for their Key Stage 2 SATs.

Cost: £2.25 per pupil. Duration: 1 hour.
National Curriculum links: Sc1 Scientific enquiry; Ma4 Handling data.

Dates available: 3-28 September, 29 October - 9 November, 2 January - 8 February, 3-14 March, 31 March - 4 April, 21-25 April.

Supported by: Clerical Medical

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Creative chemistry
In this colourful and light-filled workshop students will experiment with the chemistry behind paints, dyes, luminescence and colour changes.

Max: 30 students per workshop.
Cost: £3.00 per pupil. Duration: 1 hour.
National Curriculum links: Sc1 Scientific enquiry; Sc3.2 Changing materials; Sc3.3 Patterns of behaviour; Sc4.3 Behaviour of light.

Dates available: 29 October - 23 November, 21 January - 8 February, 28 April - 9 May, 16 June - 4 July.

DNA codebreakers
Students extract a sample of their own DNA, take part in games that introduce the concept of genes and chromosomes and find out how the DNA code is vital for all organisms. Classroom resources to support this workshop are free to download from the Learning section of our website.

Supports a visit to the Inside DNA exhibition.

Max: 30 students per workshop.
Cost: £3.00 per pupil. Duration: 1 hour.
National Curriculum links: Sc1 Scientific enquiry; Sc2.1 Cells and cell functions; Sc2.4 Variation, classification and inheritance.

Dates available: 3-28 September, 15-19 October, 21 January - 8 February, 17-28 March, 2-13 June, 7-25 July.

Light fantastic
Students can solve our laser maze using reflection and refraction, find out about colour mixing and discover the hidden world of infrared and ultraviolet light.

Max: 25 students per workshop.
Cost: £2.25 per pupil. Duration: 1 hour.
National Curriculum links: Sc1 Scientific enquiry; Sc4.3 Light and sound.

Dates available: 3 September -12 October, 12-23 November, 2-18 January, 11-15 February, 25-29 February, 31 March - 4 April, 21-25 April, 12-23 May, 2-13 June.

Solve it!
Students will get hands-on experience of a variety of forensic techniques, including fingerprinting, chromatography and hair analysis and then use these skills to solve a crime.

Max: 30 students per workshop.
Cost: £3.00 per pupil. Duration: 2 hours.
National Curriculum links: Sc1 Scientific enquiry; Sc2.4 Variation, classification and inheritance; Sc3.1 Elements, compounds and mixtures.

Dates available: 3 September - 19 October, 26 November - 7 December, 2-18 January, 11-15 February, 25-29 February, 17-28 March, 28 April - 9 May, 2-13 June, 7-25 July.

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Business, Leisure and Tourism At-Bristol
Using Explore as a case study, students will discuss the successes and challenges of a business and get a feel for what goes on behind the scenes of a public visitor attraction with the following workshops and activities.

Marketing: A behind-the-scenes look at our marketing objectives and strategies. What does Explore offer visitors? Who are our visitors? How would you promote Explore?

Urban regeneration: Find out about the regeneration of Bristol's Harbourside, with particular attention to the Explore site, and consider the effects of these changes. This workshop also supports GCSE Geography fieldwork.

Customer care: Learn about working in Explore’s Visitor Services team and how to provide good quality customer service whilst dealing with enquiries, customer complaints, and a range of different situations.

more information in PDF format for this workshop.

Max: 50 students per workshop. Cost: £1.75 each. Duration: 1 hour each. Relevant to GCSE Applied Business and similar curricula Dates available: 3 September -12 October, 29 October - 9 November, 26 November - 7 December, 2-18 January, 3-14 March, 28 April - 9 May, 16 June - 4 July.

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DNA detectives
In this hands-on workshop, students will perform a DNA fingerprint using real DNA samples and electrophoresis to eliminate suspects in a criminal investigation.

Supports a visit to the Inside DNA exhibition.

Max: 30 students per workshop.
Cost: £4.50 per pupil. Duration: 2 hours.
National Curriculum links: Sc1 Scientific enquiry; Sc2.3 Variation, inheritance and evolution.

Dates available: 26 November - 7 December, 21 January - 8 February, 12-23 May, 16 June - 4 July.

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Experience psychology Students will use a combination of interactive activities, illusions, memory tests and exhibits to investigate subjects such as memory and perception. This workshop includes a one-hour trail through Explore. Max: 30 students per workshop. Cost: £6.45 per pupil (includes entrance to Explore). Duration: 2 hours. Relevant to GCSE Psychology and similar curricula. Dates available: 3-28 September, 15-19 October, 12-23 November, 10-21 December, 3-28 March, 28 April - 9 May, 2-13 June, 7-25 July.

more information in PDF format for this workshop.

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Meet the Gene Machine
This interactive dialogue workshop is designed to engage young people in debate around the social and ethical implications raised by advances in medical genetics. Through a combination of fast paced humour and engaging debate, this one-hour workshop creates opportunities for students to discuss these issues. The workshop has two key elements, a short drama piece followed by a facilitated debate session, all delivered by experienced members of the Explore learning team. Sessions can be delivered to groups of up to 70 students at a time. Meet the Gene Machine was devised by the Science Communication Unit at the University of West of England.

Supports a visit to the Inside DNA exhibition.

Max: 70 students per workshop.
Cost: £2.50 per student. Duration: 1 hour.
National Curriculum links: workshop is cross-curricula and will appeal to a variety of subjects:
Science Relevant to all A/AS Biology specifications, and related curricula; English En1 Speaking and listening; En2 Reading, En3 Writing; PSHE Ethical implications of medical genetics; Citizenship National Curriculum Programme of study. Ethical implications of medical genetics; Drama National curriculum Programme of Study

Dates available: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4 December 2007 to 24 July 2008.

Fertility rights?
This workshop uses a chat-show style debate to engage participants in discussion about the social and ethical impact of issues around fertility treatments.

Max: 35 students per workshop.
Cost: £1.75 per pupil. Duration: 1 hour.
National Curriculum links: Sc1 Scientific enquiry; Sc2 Life processes and living things. Supports aspects of the new GCSE specifications; A/AS Biology; AS Science for the Public Understanding; Citizenship; PSHE.

Dates available: 3-28 September, 29 October - 9 November, 26 November - 21 December, 11-15 February, 25-29 February, 31 March - 4 April, 21-25 April, 12-23 May, 7-25 July.

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Post 16

DNA photocopying Students isolate a piece of their own DNA using the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), then visualise it using gel electrophoresis. The social and moral implications surrounding these genetic technologies will also be discussed. Post visit class discussion activities are available to download from the Learning section of our website. Supports a visit to the Inside DNA exhibition. Max: 30 students per workshop. Cost: £14 (includes entrance to Explore). Duration: 5 hours. Relevant to all A/AS Biology specifications, and related curricula. Dates available: 1-12 October, 29 October - 9 November, 10-21 December, 2-18 January, 11-15 February, 25 February - 4 April, 21-25 April. Click here to better understand the PCR process.

more information in PDF format for this workshop.

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Experience psychology Students will use a combination of interactive activities, illusions, memory tests and exhibits to investigate memory, perception and schemata. This workshop includes a one-hour trail through Explore and gives students the opportunity to design and conduct their own psychological experiment. Max: 35 students per workshop. Cost: £7.45 per pupil (includes entrance to Explore). Duration: 3 hours. Supports aspects of A/AS Psychology specifications. Dates available: 3-28 September, 15-19 October, 12-23 November, 10-21 December, 3-28 March, 28 April - 9 May, 2-13 June, 7-25 July.

Please visit www.youramazingbrain.org.uk to download the Explore Psychology Trail.

Business, Leisure and Tourism At-Bristol
Marketing and Urban regeneration available for Post 16 groups – see Key Stage 4 workshops for details.

Meet the Gene Machine
An interactive dialogue workshop designed to engage young people in debate around the social and ethical implications raised by advances in medical genetics - please see Key Stage 4 workshops for details.


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For further details about any aspect of our learning programme, or for assistance in planning and booking your visit, please contact our dedicated Education Bookings team on 0845 345 3344 (9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday) or email us at education@at-bristol.org.uk