STEM Discovery Centre Stevenage

What makes us a great choice for education?

The STEM Discovery Centre is a unique education facility, developed in partnership with North Hertfordshire College, Airbus and Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership, to celebrate STEM and inspire young people to consider a career in science, technology, engineering and maths.

Our provision utilises the inspirational power of the ExoMars Rover Project to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.

We offer a rich, interactive education programme for schools and group bookings to enthuse young people about the diverse opportunities available to them through STEM subjects

Our education programme is linked to the curriculum and tailored to each group’s needs and the facility has three key areas to enhance the learning experience, complemented by exclusive access to the Mars Yard viewing gallery, where you can witness history in the making!

Creative Zone – for presenter-led handson activities and science shows.

Exploration Zone – where visitors can get hands-on with our exhibits, we absolutely insist that you touch and have a go on all you see. This area includes interactive exhibits covering the themes of space, energy (including light and sound), materials, forces and magnetism.

Inspiration Zone – where visitors can see how the STEM subjects link to careers and the world around us. This area also provides viewing access to the Mars Yard test area, where visitors can actually see the prototype rovers that Airbus engineers are testing as part of the ExoMars project.

What is typically included on our school trips?

Admission gives you automatic access to our Exploration and Inspiration Zones. You can also select an assortment of additional shows, workshops and make and take activities, from the pick ‘n’ mix menu below.

We do not charge for adults accompanying school bookings, as the experience caters to the children. We will, however have to charge for any adults who wish to participate in the activities provided.

We want you to have a fantastic experience when you visit us and to ensure that we meet your requirements we have devised a pick n mix menu for you to select from. For more details about the range of activities available, or customised options for older students, please see our Programme of Activities or check out our website https://stemdiscoverycentre.co.uk/shows-and-activities/

We offer a wide range of curriculum linked shows and activities, led by our amazing STEM experts, who have already inspired thousands of budding scientists and engineers. 

Our interactive science shows cover diverse topics, including sound, magnetism and even the science of bodily functions. Our shows keep visitors on the edge of their seats and there are always lots of opportunities for audience participation!

We have a wide range of activities where visitors follow instructions to produce their own take home items, such as slime, kaleidoscopes or a model of the sun, earth and moon interacting.

Our investigation workshops encourage visitors to engage in scientific enquiry, by observing, experimenting, recording and analysing. Our varied selection of workshops includes the opportunity to design, make and race a balloon-powered car, conduct a blood pattern analysis or even develop programs for mini Mars Rovers (Lego Mindstorm).

The number of activities available in one visit is dependent on time constraints. We will help you to build a customised programme of activities to cater specifically to the requirements of your group.

Group Sizes Catered For

We have prepared our centre to meet education guidelines, with sanitation stations situated throughout and can easily accommodate groups of up to 60 children at one time while respecting social distancing.

We offer an immersive educational experience to enthuse your pupils about the AWESOME world of science. Our facility, based at the Mars Rover site in Stevenage, has always catered to one school at a time, so take advantage of our ‘Bring a Bubble’ offer and book today!

In a pre (and hopefully post) Covid world, we were able to comfortable accommodate approx. 100 students at a time.

Materials, Resources & Information Provided

We have a range on downloadable resources on our website, written in partnership with teachers, STEM Ambassadors and the UK Space Agency: Mars Challenge project, to support STEM learning, at home or in the classroom https://stemdiscoverycentre.co.uk/resources/

We update these resources throughout the year.

If you are unable to bring a group to the facility, why not contact us about a live stream or video session?

Choose from our education programme* and we will have the materials delivered to you and you can then book in a timed slot for us to deliver the activity live!

Teaching forces? We can help you bring it to life with Climbing Man or Wacky Rover Racers activities.

Exploring space? Our Earth Orbit or Moon Phase Box sessions would be ideal!

We can show you simple conductivity and circuit activities with Bugs Light Yeah! Or Light Up Robot Cards.

Or we can help you investigate light with our Periscope or Kaleidoscope activities.

Finally, check out our online activity resources which cover a wide selection of science themes such as forces, magnetism and space.

*Due to the equipment required for some activities, we will not be able to deliver our entire education programme as live stream activities.

Photography, Filming & Audio Restrictions

Schools and groups are welcome to take photographs or film footage whilst in the facility.

Risk Assessment Details

Risk Assessment for the facility and covering the multiple activities on the education programme is provided as part of the booking process.

Education Officer Information

For more information please contact stemdc@nhc.ac.uk or call 01462 443050 to speak with one of the team.

Pricing Information

Admission gives you automatic access to our Exploration and Inspiration Zones. You can also select an assortment of additional shows, workshops and make and take activities, from the pick ‘n’ mix menu below.

We do not charge for adults accompanying school bookings, as the experience caters to the children. We will, however have to charge for any adults who wish to participate in the activities provided.

We want you to have a fantastic experience when you visit us and to ensure that we meet your requirements we have devised a pick n mix menu for you to select from.

ADMISSION - BASIC FEE

School Bookings: £3.50 per child

Group Bookings: £5.00 per visitor

PICK N MIX SELECTION

Science Shows: £1.00 per child

Make and Take: £2.00 per child

Create and Take: £3.00 per child

Investigation Workshop: £4.00 per child

For more details about the range of activities available, or customised options for older students, please see our Programme of Activities or check out our website.

First Aid Information

We have a First Aid Station and all staff are First Aid trained.

Available Facilities

Additional facilities include; shop, toilets, cloak room.

Our small shop provides pocket money priced STEM toys and gadgets, with a small range of science kits.

We provide an area for your group to have their packed lunch, but do not provide food or drink on site.

Accessibility & Disabled Facilities

We have wheelchair accessibility to building and fully accessible toilets etc.

Our staff are experienced with working with SEND students

Opening Hours & Information

Monday – Thursday: 9am – 5pm

Friday: 9am – 4.30pm

Testimonials

Teachers:

Year 6 Teacher – Beech Hyde, “What a brilliant learning opportunity! I would HIGHLY recommend this.”

Year 5 Teacher – Trinity St Mary’s, “A thoroughly enjoyable and educational day for everybody, both children and staff.

Year 5 Teacher – Trotts Hill Primary, “All the children learned through fun. A great learning experience for everyone, including the teachers”.

Year 6 teacher – St Marys C of E Primary Academy – “An engaging day, wonder and enlightenment about the stars, space and beyond. Hands on science opportunities which link to national curriculum in the STEM subjects.”

Year 6 Teacher – Oakdale Primary “An Excellent day filled with exciting and hands on learning experiences. The children were fully engaged and gained a lot from each workshop as well as the science show.”

 Year 3 & 4 Teacher – Dunton Lower, “An amazing experience for adults & children, visual, memorable and good ideas. Thank you so much.”

Year 5 & 6 Teacher – William Ransom, “As a teacher, I have never been thanked before by pupils for booking them a school trip!”

Year 3 & 4 Teacher – St. Giles C of E Primary, “Every single child, regardless of gender, age or ability was engaged and immersed from the moment we entered the building.”

Year 5 Teacher – Woolenwick, “Awe and wonder in the science curriculum is definitely on offer here!”

Students:

KS2 Student – Pirton. “I love it here and it was so fun. I have learned a lot of things and there are lots of things to do here.”

Year 5 student – Trotts Hill, “I learnt about Mars and the robots. I hated science but you made me love it.”

Year 5 student – Trotts Hill, “I loved making the rockets and shooting them up in the sky.”

Year 5 Student – St Andrews C of E, “I wish I could go there again, I had a blast”.

Year 4 student – Steeple Morden, “I enjoyed every single thing!”

Year 6 Student – St Marys C of E Primary Academy – “My favourite part was when we got to program a rover and raced.”

Year 6 student – Elton C of E Primary – “I learnt about the stars and constellations such as Betelgeuse and Orion.”

Year 7 Student – Ralph Sadlier – “I learned, in detail, how the universe was made.”

Location Information

We’re located on the same site as Airbus Defence & Space just a short walk from Stevenage train station. We’ve got lots of parking if you’re arriving by car or coach. Our entrance is around the corner from the deliveries entrance – look for the big sign on the wall!