STEM Discovery Centre Hertfordshire

What makes us a great choice for education?

Our centre providers three state-of-the-art discovery zones that provide a rich, interactive experience – complemented by exclusive access to the Mars Rover Yard, where you can witness history in the making.

Our discovery zones include:

- Learning zone: our learning zone is for presenter-led, hands-on activities and science shows.

- Interactive zone: our interactive zone is where visitors can get hands on with our exhibitions which cover the themes of space, energy, materials, maths, forces and magnetism.

- Industry zone: our industry zone concentrates on how the STEM subjects link to careers and the world around us, and provides inspiring, once-in-a-lifetime viewing access to the Mars Yard, where visitors can actually see Airbus scientists and engineers building and testing the next Mars Rover as part of the ExoMars project.

We offer a wide range of shows and activities, linked to key stage 2 and 3 curriculum. These are led by our amazing STEM experts who have many years’ experience between them and have 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 loads of opportunities for audience participation!

We have a wide range of ‘make and take’ activities where visitors will follow instructions to produce their own item to take home. Our take home items include real slime, shrinking plastic keyrings, kaleidoscopes or even using paint rockets to make your own splatter-patterned bags.

Our investigation workshops encourage visitors to observe, analyse and experiment. Our varied selection of workshops includes the opportunity to design, make and race balloon powered cars or conduct a blood pattern analysis. There’s even the opportunity to take part in our ‘Mars Attacks’ workshop, where visitors develop programmable robots using Lego Mindstorms, directly linking to the Mars Rover Project.

What is typically included on our school trips?

Our education programme is linked to key stage 2 and 3 curriculum and is tailored to each group’s needs, whether you’re coming to learn about subjects related to engineering, technology, science, maths or all of these things.

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

SCIENCE SHOW

• Entertaining interactive presentation
• Pre and post visit resource pack
• 30 – 45 min
• £1 per child per show

MAKE AND TAKE: ELEMENTARY

• Presenter led, step-by-step instructions to produce a curriculum linked item
• Provides each child with a take-home item
• 30 – 45 min
• £2 per child per activity

INVESTIGATION WORKSHOP

• Combination of specialist test equipment and low cost consumables
• Design, build, test, improve structure
• 60 – 90 min with a break
• £4 per child per activity

MAKE AND TAKE: ADVANCED

• Presenter led, step-by-step instructions to produce a curriculum linked item, more material-heavy
• Provides each child with a take-home item
• 45 - 60 min
• £3 per child per activity

Group Sizes Catered For

Up to 90.

Materials, Resources & Information Provided

Our amazing STEM experts have developed a range of education packs and learning materials, linked specifically to the key stage 2 and 3 curriculum, that teachers can download before their visit. Please get in touch for more information.

Photography, Filming & Audio Restrictions

No restrictions.

Risk Assessment Details

Provided. Please contact us 

Education Officer Information

Airbusdiscoveryspace@nhc.ac.uk

Pricing Information

We charge a basic admission fee of £3.50 per child which allows access to our interactive zone. For example, £3.50 per child for group of 30 = £105

You can also select an assortment of additional shows, workshops and make and take activities, from the pick ‘n’ mix menu at an additional cost (costs of additional shows, workshops and make and take activities can be found above in ‘what is typically included on our school trips?’)

First Aid Information

Yes there is first aid on site.

Available Facilities

Our learning zone is a state-of-the-art classroom that schools can make use of - it's also where you’ll take part in our exciting presenter-led activities. Here, we've got lots of amazing equipment that we use to deliver our activities and science shows including a 3D projector and 3D printer.

We also have a gift shop selling pocket-money priced items and toilets.

We can provide an area for your group to eat your packed lunches, however you’ll need to bring your own food with you.

Accessibility & Disabled Facilities

We’re fully wheelchair accessible, and we also cater for visitors with Special Educational Needs (SEN). If you have any questions regarding your group’s specific needs please get in touch - we’d love to help.

Opening Hours & Information

Our usual opening hours are 9am – 5pm, Monday to Fridays in term time. All visits need to be booked in advance so please get in touch to arrange your group’s visit.

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!