Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium Hampshire

Are you ready to bring science to life? Get set for the non-stop interactive Ultimate STEM School Trip.

Suitable for children in KS1, KS2 and KS3, this all-inclusive experience lasts the whole day. All you have to do is decide which of our six curriculum linked workshops you’d like to do, and we’ll do all the rest. Will you blast off on an astronomical adventure to discover the secrets of the stars in Discover Space. How about coding your own robot to walk its very own robot catwalk? Or what about a loud and interactive sound workshop where students will explore how we hear and process sound?

And that’s not all! All school visits will get their very own bespoke Planetarium show, suited to your group. Take a seat and zoom through the Solar System for an experience you’ll never forget. The massive 360-degree screen is all around you making you feel like you’re flying through space. You’ll find out fantastic space facts. Learn all about the planets up above us. And discover secrets of the stars.

There’s lots of time to explore the two floors of interactive exhibits too. Climb into a massive guitar and feel it vibrate when people pluck the strings. Experience the acoustics of a sonic rocket. Get right inside a giant ear and see how it works. Blast off on an out-of-this-world journey through Explorer:Space. There are exhibits for meteorites and stardust fact finding. Learn about robots and coding. You can even find out what atmospheric pressure does when you blast off into space.

Find out more on our website https://www.winchestersciencecentre.org/visiting/schools-and-uniformed-groups/ultimate-school-trip or get in touch with our education team at education@winchestersciencecentre.org. We can’t wait to see you and your students very soon!

At Winchester Science Centre, we’re on a mission to spark curiosity in STEM (science, technology engineering and maths) in all children. We want to work together with you to fire children’s passion for these subjects.

There is a brilliant team of Curiosity Officers and Inspirers running live Planetarium shows and workshops. These activities are at the heart of every school visit and not an added extra.

As part of the independent educational charity Wonderseekers, we have a goal to to make visiting available to everyone. To help with this, all schools benefit from a discount on regular general admission prices and there is an additional subsidy of up to 60% for eligible schools. Subsidies are provided for state-funded schools, schools with above average number of students receiving free school meals, and schools identified by the Science Centre as priority schools. Visit our website for further information on pricing.

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

– A 45-minute curriculum-linked Discovery workshop
– A live presenter-led Planetarium show
– Lots of time to explore the two floors of hands-on interactive exhibits

All you need to do is decide which of the Discovery Workshops you’d like to book:

Destination Space – Have you heard all about the James Webb Telescope? In Destination Space you’ll get an introduction to this amazing piece of space technology. Let’s also explore the properties of light. We’ll start with the visible spectrum before moving to infrared and heat exchange. And what happens if we use diffraction to break light into its constituent parts? Let’s find out!

Matter – What’s the difference between solids, liquids and gases? Let’s find out together. Explore why they behave the way they do. Then let’s make some slime! As a non-Newtonian fluid, slime brings the properties of matter to life. See and feel them in action while having a lot of fun.

Bots – It’s humans vs robots! Let’s learn the basics of programming. Grab a laptop and program the Crumble-bots. Teach them to move. Make them change colour. And let’s even get them dancing.

Rocketships – Three, two, one! Let’s launch our very own rockets. Let’s learn about forces and combustion. We’ll do an awesome whoosh bottle experiment. Then you’ll design your very own rockets using foam pieces and K’nex. Maximise their flying potential. Consider what will make them aerodynamic. Then let the countdown begin!

Sound – We love sound at Winchester Science Centre! Will you explore sound and frequency with us? Discover how sound travels. Explore what volume and pitch are. We’ll even test our own hearing and compare our ears to creatures in the animal world.

Heart Heroes –  Let’s find out more about our heart. What keeps it healthy? How can we look after it and how does it work. Discover our heart secrets with an exciting live dissection.

Find out more on our website https://www.winchestersciencecentre.org/visiting/schools-and-uniformed-groups/ultimate-school-trip or get in touch with our education team at education@winchestersciencecentre.org. We can’t wait to see you and your students very soon!

We have a minimum groups size of 15 children. If you wish to bring a smaller group you can, but minimum charges based on 15 students will apply. If you are a SEND schools wishing to bring a smaller group, this charge may be waivered.  Please contact the team at education@winchestersciencecentre.org to discuss your requirements.

Details of any pre- or post visit materials will be available on our website.

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.

Need help writing your risk assessment? Don’t worry, we’ve got some great tips and advice in our handy guide. You can find it on our website here – https://www.winchestersciencecentre.org/visiting/schools-and-uniformed-groups/ultimate-school-trip/know-before-you-go-school-trips

Please contact the team at education@winchestersciencecentre.org. They will be happy to help.

We’re a charity so we work really hard to break down any barriers to engagement. We’re pleased to offer subsidies to the following schools:

State-funded schools (including academies, multi-academy trusts, free schools and University Technology Colleges) – 12% subsidy

Our selected priority schools and all schools who have 14% or more students who receive free school meals – 60% subsidy

Don’t forget to check out the different ways to support your travel expenses. The South Downs National Park have some great options available.

We strongly advise that students wear their normal school uniform. There will be other schools in the building during your visit so this will make them identifiable.

We have 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.

• Two floors of exciting action-packed STEM fun: check out our schools interactive sensory map before you visit.
• Shop: our shop will be open between 12pm and 2pm but only if your let us know you would like to use it. Don’t forget to tell us when you complete your booking form. We recommend around £3 to £5 pocket money will be plenty.
• Toilets: we have female and male toilets with smaller seat options for younger visitors. We also have two accessible toilets and a Changing Paces facility.
• Indoor and outdoor lunch areas: you’ll be designated a lunch area on arrival.
• Bag and coat storage: you’ll have your own storage area designated on arrival.
• Coach parking: coaches have their own parking area in our car park and parking is free.

Unfortunately our café is not open during school visits for food or hot drinks. Make sure everyone remembers to bring their lunch. We also recommend bringing along a refillable water bottle as we have cold water dispensers available.

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

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

The Ultimate STEM School Trip is just one element of how Winchester Science Centre can work with your school. There’s lots of other out-of-this-world experiences on offer.

Mobile Planetarium

We can bring the magic of the Planetarium to your school with our Mobile Planetarium experience. Turn your school hall into a space port. The state-of-the-art digital dome comes with an astronomy expert. They’ll present live Planetarium shows, play 360° fulldome films and answer questions.

Ultimate Stem School Takeout

Let us bring science wow to your classroom. Find out how STEM can save the planet as we bring inspiring hands-on workshops, a fun-filled assembly and engaging teacher resources to your school. Launch your planet mission with an exciting pre-visit welcome pack. Choose one, or all four, curriculum-linked workshops. Each one is delivered as a one-hour session to one class at a time. And add on an explosive assembly filled with huge demos and fascinating facts about the state of our planet. It’s perfect for KS1 to KS2 pupils.

Sleepovers

If you don’t want the fun stop, stay over! We’ve got a special sleepover experience waiting for you. Get sleepy in amongst the awesome exhibits. Snooze in the crash-landed spaceship of Explorer:Space. Set up camp in the out-of-this-world sonic rocket or get cosy inside the giant guitar. A typical sleepover includes time to explore the exhibits, hot chocolate and a cookie before bed, a yummy breakfast and a morning Planetarium show. It’s a completely unique camping experience and you’ll never forget it!

Digital activities

Did you know that we have digital activities available to download for use in the classroom. Take on a Curiosity Challenge. Get up and moving with some Active Science. Or follow the step-by-step video instructions from one of our expert science communicators in a Let’s Try It experiment. Explore the learning hub on our website for activities that everyone can get involved with.

Find out more about school experiences with Winchester Science Centre on our website https://www.winchestersciencecentre.org/visiting/schools-and-uniformed-groups