Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium Hampshire

What makes us a great choice for education?

Winchester Science Centre wants to make visiting available to everyone and to help with this they have a new benefit-based pricing structure, which includes up to 60% off for eligible schools. All schools benefit from a 25% discount on equivalent general entry. There is one admission price for students and accompanying adults attend for free. Discounts are provided for state-funded schools, schools with above average number of students receiving free school meals, and the Centre’s priority schools. Visit the website for further information on pricing.There is a brilliant team of Curiosity Officers and Inspirers running live shows and workshops – the new offer ensures this activity is at the heart of every school visit and not an added extra limited solely to the schools that can afford it. This is in line with the charity’s mission of building science capital for all.

What is typically included on our school trips?

Our all-inclusive approach to school visits means every school trip will include each of the following activities: 

- Discover Workshop: choose from seven curriculum-linked themes
- Planetarium Show: a presenter-led, live show featuring the stars and planets adapted to meet the needs of your group
- Robots to Discover: Bots
- Explore the exhibits: students will have an allocated time to enjoy the much-loved hands-on exhibition floor.

The workshop, planetarium show and space challenge will be adapted to suit the age and ability of your group. All you need to do is decide which of the Discover Workshops you'd like to book:

Discover: Destination Space - Explore the Universe from the comfort of your home planet. Follow and work with robotic explorers as they face the challenges of space. Find out how space discoveries affects life on Earth. 

Discover: Life - Meet the best problem solvers on the planet. Investigate and discover how life has adapted and evolved over time.

Discover: Matter -The states of matter and smart materials are investigated through screaming dry ice, slime and homemade bouncy balls!

Discover: Robots - Obstacles are no barrier in this team-based session where robots will be programmed to complete maths-based challenges.

Discover: Rockets - Calling all engineers, discover how to become a rocket scientist by building and modifying your teams own rocket.

Discover: Sound - From earthquakes to the humble triangle this interactive and inventive workshop will explore the physics of sound by students creating their own musical instruments and experimenting with some truly unusual ways of making sound.

Discover: Heart Heroes *New for September 2019* – Exploring the amazing power of the heart and how we can keep ours healthy. Featuring augmented reality T-shirts, 3D anatomical models and an optional animal heart dissection.

Advance booking is essential. Email education@winchestersciencecentre.org with your desired dates and numbers and a member of the team will contact you.

Group Sizes Catered For

Please contact the team at education@winchestersciencecentre.org to discuss your requirements.

Materials, Resources & Information Provided

Details on the website.

Photography, Filming & Audio Restrictions

You’re very welcome to take photographs and footage. We just ask you to be mindful of other visitors who may not want to feature in photos/recordings.

Risk Assessment Details

Information to help with preparing a risk assessment is available for download from the website.

Pricing Information

Winchester Science Centre is run by an educational charity, with a mission to 'build science capital for all'. It wants to make visiting the Science Centre available to everyone and to help with this they have a benefit-based pricing structure. All schools benefit from a 25% discount on equivalent general entry. There is one admission price for students and accompanying adults attend for free. Discounts are provided for state-funded schools, schools with above average number of students receiving free school meals and the Centre’s priority schools. 

Standard school rates:

Student - £11.50 (VAT exempt)

Adult - FREE

Discounted rates for eligible schools:

-15% for state-funded schools = £9.75 (VAT exempt)

-60% for Winchester Science Centre priority schools and any school with 14% or more students receiving free school meals = £4.60 (VAT exempt)

First Aid Information

There are on-site first aiders and a fully equipped first aid room. Please let us know if you would like to use this room for medical requirements during your visit.

Available Facilities

• Schools indoor lunch area/outside picnic areas.
• Girls/Boys toilets (in addition to Ladies/Gents/Accessible).
• Bag/coat storage (although these can often be left on the coach)
• Hub Cafe (not usually used by school children; please ask if you would like to use this facility).
• Science Shop (recommended spend £3-£5; more expensive items also available).
• Coach parking, with free entry to the Science Centre for coach drivers.
• Water fountain

Accessibility & Disabled Facilities

Winchester Science Centre aims to be an accessible and welcoming environment for all.

For full details please visit: www.winchestersciencecentre.org/accessibility

Opening Hours & Information

School groups typically visit between 10am and 2pm on a weekday. For general public opening times, please visit our website.

Testimonials

“We loved the workshop and the planetarium. The staff member in the workshop was very enthusiastic and engaged the children brilliantly. Both adults and children thought the place was fun, educational and awesome. The planetarium show was epic and everyone learned something new!” 

- Jenny, Redbridge Primary School

“A great way to encourage independent learning in science. Lots to do, lots to see; 94 children, including some with SEN, were fully engaged in the hands-on experience.”

- Liz, Eastwick School

Other Information

Outreach

We’re bringing science wow to classrooms with our Ultimate STEM School Takeout. Aimed at primary school pupils, our most knowledgeable and enthusiastic science communicators will take the Science Centre fun to your school. We’ve got an all-you-can-eat buffet of activities on offer as part of a single fixed price, from pre- and post-visit resources and interactive workshops to scientific method resources and a full or partial school assembly filled with explosive live demos. With three exciting courses to dig your teeth into, Ocean Explorers, Deep Sea Detectives and Underwater Adventurers, all linked to the current curriculum, there will be something to suit every taste. Find out more on our website or contact education@winchestersciencecentre.org for more information.

Mobile Planetarium

Winchester Science Centre’s inflatable six-metre state-of-the-art digital mobile planetarium brings an immersive 360° space experience into your school, seating up to 40 children at one time. The planetarium comes with an experienced astronomy specialist who can present live planetarium shows, play 360° fulldome films, and answer children's questions. Find out more at: https://www.winchestersciencecentre.org/schools-and-groups/mobile-planetarium/