We The Curious Science Centre

What makes us a great choice for education?

We are high on fun and high on learning! Science is all about understanding the world and - in addition to our 275 exhibits - our workshops and theme days are designed to combine direct experience with developing a deeper learning: Supporting and complementing the curriculum to build the enthusiasm and confidence that enables students to succeed. They take place in our dedicated learning rooms and labs, and offer experiences that can?t easily be achieved in school or at home. We are conveniently placed in the heart of Bristol - easy to reach, and within the attractive and historic harbourside area.

Accreditation and Awards

LOtC

What is typically included on our school trips?

An educational visit offers unlimited access to two floors of wonderful, hands-on exhibits - covering a wide range of topics including food, animation, flight, the human body, sport and exercise, energy, weather and more. In addition, our Live Lab and Experimental Kitchen and Greenhouse offer a seasonal selection of drop-in investigations for all our visitors. Workshops, theme days and studio shows are all carefully tailored to different age groups and include fascinating ways to develop enthusiasm, understanding and scientific thinking. They take place in dedicated learning rooms, laboratories or studio show space and are led by our expert science communicators. At-Bristol's iconic silver planetarium is the location for a range of stunning 3D journeys to the cosmos - whether for special, curriculum-linked shows or some inspiring seasonal stargazing. Full details of all our activities are available on our website, along with detailed information regarding the learning aims and curriculum links for each. Many curriculum-linked trails are also available to download - providing a more structured or topic-based experience for groups that require it.

Group Sizes Catered For

There is no minimum or maximum group size - we can accommodate groups from 10 to 1000!

Materials, Resources & Information Provided

All educators are entitled to a free teacher planning visit (with appropriate ID) to find out more about the venue or do a detailed risk assessment. Information packs are provided on arrival.

Photography, Filming & Audio Restrictions

We are always happy to children to photograph or film their visit. Indeed, many opportunities are built into the exhibits themselves, and visitors can scan their wristband tickets to record animations and other information from their visit to use later at home or back in school.

Risk Assessment Details

All teachers are entitled to a free planning visit to At-Bristol help with their own risk assessments. Since these are specific to each school group we are not able to offer a standard risk assessment, though our More Information? sheets for each activity detail what students will be doing and provide an additional potential hazards? section. A map of the venue is available to be downloaded and can be used to plan and can be shared with colleagues prior to a visit.

Education Officer Information

Dr. Kathy Fawcett is the Education Manager at At-Bristol, in charge of the programme for all the educational opportunities we offer. To enquire about activities or to make a booking, our wonderful Bookings Team Sophie, Louise and Miffy are available from 8.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday to provide expert and dedicated support and advice.

Pricing Information

We offer a reduce Education Rate of £4.95 for all educational visits, with free places for accompanying staff at a rate that varies according to student age. Workshops are £2.95 for Primary students and £3.20 for Secondary, with Science Shows £1.50 and Planetarium £3 for 3D and £2 for 2D. Prices above are for the 2014/15 school year, but look out for special deals in the new 2015/16 brochure - plus the opportunity to be part of pilot workshops and theme days for free!

Clothing Requirements

No special clothing is required for the trip.

First Aid Information

We always have qualified first-aiders on site, and have a dedicated first aid room within the venue.

Available Facilities

Shop; canteen; disabled toilets; first aid room; bookable picnic area; allocated lunch areas for all schools; crates for bag storage for all schools; coach drop-off area; ample outdoor lunch area in adjacent Millenium Square (weather permitting). The shop has a range of items to suit all budgets. Students bringing as little as £3 would find lots to buy that would make them very happy!

Accessibility & Disabled Facilities

The venue is fully accessible to disabled visitors - including our workshops, laboratories, shows and theme days.

Opening Hours & Information

We are open every day of the year apart from Christmas Day, Boxing day and New Year's Day. We open at 10am (first arrivals at 9.45am) and close at 5pm on term-time weekdays.

Other Information

Look out for our new brochure during Term 6 - online and to be posted to all schools within a 90 mile radius of Bristol. If you would like to receive a brochure or be added to our e-mailing list please email us on education@at-bristol.org.uk. Bristol is European Green Capital 2015 - the first time a UK city has been given this award. It's also UNESCO's International Year of Light, and we have cunningly combined these into our special Green Light programme of events for 2015 and beyond. Green issues are very close to the heart of At-Bristol Science Centre, and we want to spread a positive message - raising awareness and engagement with the local and global issues. More than just a colour For all of us - students, parents and educators - talk of green? issues can be so familiar that it's sometimes easy to forget what it's actually all about and the core issues of caring for the natural environment, tackling climate change and living sustainably can be lost. It can also be hard to know where to look for good, reliable information - with a lot of media coverage being confusing at best and positively misleading at worst. System Earth We want At-Bristol to be the go-to place for learning about climate science. So in September we're launching System Earth: a hands-on, fun and positive look at climate change - the science, the causes, the consequences and what we can all do about it. Different combinations of engaging activities mean the day can be tailored to a range of ages - from KS2 to KS4, and will cover not just science but also geography, citizenship, maths and more.