Eco Centre for Alternative Technology Wales

CAT is a world-renowned eco centre that researches and supports greener ways of living.

Our 7-acre visitor centre offers hands-on renewable energy displays, a wide variety of examples of environmentally responsible building and beautiful organic gardens. A further 17 acres stretch up into the hills surrounding the centre with stunning views of the UNESCO Dyfi Biosphere from our Quarry Trail.

We have been welcoming school groups to our visitor centre for five decades and pride ourselves on how we engage young people with subjects surrounding climate change and sustainability. Our tours and workshops are ideal for a day visit and our on-site accommodation provides a fantastic base for a school trip in the region or for a more in-depth multi-day learning experience at CAT.

All our workshops address sustainability across a range of curriculum subjects and many include issues related to global citizenship. Links are made to Science, Geography, Design and Technology, PSE and Citizenship. Embedded in our offer are cross-curriculum links to develop key skills in Literacy and Maths, with a particular emphasis on problem solving in an unknown context.

Workshops are available for Foundation Stage to postgraduate level, including GCSE, A level and the Welsh Baccalaureate. Most of our workshops can also be adapted for individual or groups of teachers.

Eco Centre for Alternative Technology Wales
Science Discovery Centre Wales
Science Wales
CAT Wales
Environment Centre Wales
Field Study Centre Wales

Our knowledgeable staff and unique outdoor learning environment provide an opportunity for visitors to really explore practical, hands on activities and imagine a positive future where we have risen to the climate emergency.

We work closely with each group to put together a programme which meets their learning objective for the visit, as well as being suitable for the age and stage of the learners. Each group will be met by a member of our education team and supported through their visit to ensure the best experience possible. The table below lists the activities and Key stage for each activity.  All activities include curriculum links, please see our website for full details

We are currently developing resources which will be available shortly

Groups may take photographs, film and audio recording are usually permitted but will require permission.

We do provide risk assessments for teachers

Sarah Tack

Engagement Team

education@cat.org.uk

Generally, for a day visit for a school or pre school £4 per head for pupils & accompanying adults are free. Each workshops generally costs £90 with one or 2 exceptions when activities are resource heavy (see chart above)

University students are charged

Where a school is staying with us on a residential there is no charge for admissions.  Accommodation ranges from self catering eco cabins to bed and breakfast rooms. Lunch and dinner can be provided at an additional cost.

University groups have a slightly different offer and University groups generally cost £7.50 for day visit entry and £120 per workshop, with the exception of resource heavy activities.

All prices are outlined on our website.

Stout footwear and waterproof clothing. Most activities are outdoors and so warm layers are needed in colder weather, sunscreen and hats in warm weather

We have first aid trained staff on site, and a central first aid point.

Soft drinks and items like flap-jacks and CAT merchandise can be purchased through our on site café. Residential group meals are also served by our Vegetarian café. Groups can dine in the café or the Wise building seating area. There are picnic benches outside and undercover for groups to eat a packed lunch. There are toilet facilities at several points across the site, at the top of the water train area, through the café and in the wise building. There are many bookable study rooms on site and also free communal areas to work.

Changing areas and wet rooms are generally in booked accommodation.

We have wheelchair accessible buildings across the site and accessible toilets in the Wise Building and café.

Generally, 9-6 inc. bank holidays, but residential groups can arrive and depart we close for about 2 weeks over Christmas).

All concepts covered at the centre are directly transferable to the classroom.

100%. The language used by staff throughout the visit (carbon zero, sustainable, biodiversity etc) is exactly
the language I want the students to be able to use confidently and in context. The visit certainly delivered
that.

An outstanding experience – exceeded all of my expectations! The students loved it and we would
recommend it to anyone!