www.dundeesciencecentre.org.uk/learning
Education Guide 2016-2017
learning@dundeesciencecentre.org.uk | 01382 868609
Welcome!
Visit Dundee Science Centre
The STEM Learning Team at Dundee Science Centre has designed our 3-18 Learning Programme to support educators across Tayside and North East Scotland. Each year we welcome 10,000 school visitors to the science centre and, for 2016 - 2017, we are excited to offer some fantastic new projects and opportunities. This brochure explains some of what we offer to educators:
What’s included in a class visit?
Bring a class to Dundee Science Centre
Tim Peake & the International Space Station
How much does it cost?
Before your visit
Inspire your learners with a trip to Dundee Science Centre to engage with STEM in a different setting and support learning with our curriculum-linked activities.
Celebrate Tim Peake’s recent mission to space, with one of our ‘Destination Space’ workshops, available until 2017. See back cover for details.
Admission costs £4 per pupil, with teachers and carers admitted free of charge. Lunch bags can be prepared, if required, at a cost of £3 per pupil. During class visits, pupils can also explore our gift shop with its fantastic range of science-themed products. Alternatively, goodie bags can be ordered at the time of booking – ranging from £2 to £5.
All teachers are encouraged to come for a free familiarisation visit ahead of their school trip, to see what is available and plan their pupils’ learning. Please book in advance to qualify for free entry.
Our workshops can come to your school If you cannot visit Dundee Science Centre, we can come to you! Most of our workshops can be run at your school – with prices based on distance and workshop choice – and we can tailor sessions to accommodate multiple classes in a day.
Request a STEM Ambassador STEM Ambassadors are volunteers from research and industry who offer their time to inspire learners in schools, for free! They can run activities for classes or clubs, speak at careers events, mentor students or provide curriculum support to teachers. Get in touch to find out more or to request a STEM Ambassador for your class.
Dundee Science Festival 2016 Dundee Science Festival is brought to you by Dundee Science Centre and includes special events for Nursery, Primary and Secondary Schools. Spaces are limited so book early! See inside back cover for details.
Brilliant workshop... delivered perfectly to the age and stage of our children. The content worked really well to support what the children had been learning in our school.
Medical Technology Dundee Science Centre’s £1.75 million development launches in 2017 and sees the introduction of an amazing, new hands-on ‘Medical Technology’ exhibition featuring the fascinating work of the Institute for Medical Science and Technology (IMSaT) – to be complemented with our new, exciting range of Biology workshops created for learners from First Level to Senior Phase.
Science Learning Institute Dundee Science Centre’s Science Learning Institute (SLI) is a hub for teachers, scientists and other educators to come together to share knowledge, form new partnerships and deliver inspiring learning experiences. The 2017 development will see the SLI further enhanced with a new 80-seat lecture theatre and learning zone to support an expanded course programme.
Team Build Your team deserves some of the fun too! Our fantastic Team Build will allow you and your colleagues to experience an unforgettable visit to Dundee Science Centre. Our iconic building forms the ideal location for fun and challenging team build sessions – with a real difference – designed to stimulate and invigorate your team. For more information and to book, call 01382 868603 or email events@dundeesciencecentre.org.uk
Teacher, Andover PS, Brechin
www.dundeesciencecentre.org.uk/learning
FSC @DundeeSTEMLearn
Group visits for Nursery, Primary and Secondary Schools can last up to three hours and include a workshop, time for a packed lunch, and time to explore the exhibition. A full list of our curriculum-linked workshops can be found on the following pages, or online at www.dundeesciencecentre.org.uk/learning
Funding The Scottish Government provides some travel subsidies for schools in areas high on the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation or in rural areas. Dundee City Council provides funding to cover the admission costs for a fixed number of pupils from each DCC school. We are extremely grateful for this support which makes Dundee Science Centre accessible to a growing number of pupils each year. Other funding may be available for STEM activities and we are happy to advise on sourcing and your application.
You are invited to a special FREE Educators Evening on Thursday 08 September 2016 Arrive by 4.30pm to explore our taster workshops - along with an even tastier glass of wine! RSVP – learning@ dundeesciencecentre.org.uk or call 01382 868609
Pitched well to the audience and the children loved Stuffee. Teacher, Seaview PS, Monifieth
During your visit Our team will welcome you, provide a timetable for your visit and help you discover all that the exhibition has to offer. Pupils are required to be supervised throughout the visit by a responsible adult. To find out more details or book a visit, please see our website or get in touch: www.dundeesciencecentre.org.uk/learning learning@dundeesciencecentre.org.uk 01382 868609
learning@dundeesciencecentre.org.uk | 01382 868609
Workshops
Second Level Healthy Body Bits
Rocketry Force
With the help of Stuffee, a giant ragdoll with removable organs, learners explore body systems and how to keep them healthy.
Healthy Body Bits
Little Noises
Suitable for P4 and P5.
After an introduction to Rocket Science (which also challenges common misconceptions about gravity) learners will engineer and launch paper rockets to put their new knowledge to the test.
With the help of our giant ragdoll, Stuffee, we find out about our major organs and what they do.
Different games and activities – some noisy, some quiet – encourage all to think about what sound is and why it is important to us.
How to Make the Perfect Poo
Exploring Our Solar System
Learners guide a typical breakfast through the stages of the human digestive system. This hands-on activity is messy and memorable!
Join us for a tour through the Solar System, highlighting the scale of the planets, and discussing current observations and explorations beyond the Earth.
Early Level
Recipe for Science Your little scientists can test different materials to identify the correct ingredients to cause a chemical volcanic eruption.
Little Stargazers What can you see in the sky tonight? Your little stargazers learn about the night sky and enjoy star myth storytime.
First Level Healthy Body Bits
Exploring Our Solar System
With the help of our giant ragdoll, Stuffee, learners will explore our major organs, what they do and how to keep them healthy.
Join us for a tour through the Solar System, highlighting the scale of the planets, and discussing current observations and explorations beyond the Earth.
How to Make the Perfect Poo Learners guide a typical breakfast through the stages of the human digestive system. This hands-on activity is messy and memorable! Suitable for P3 and above.
How to be a Scientist Learners get to be scientists, using their senses and observational skills to investigate some simple experiments.
Sounds Like Fun! What is sound, and how do we use it? Learners make a lot of noise in this introduction to the science of sound.
I am Unique Learners extract their own DNA from cheek cells and find out what’s happening in the field of genetics.
Fingerprints
Take a mind-stretching glimpse of the scale of the Universe, as we learn about our Solar System within the Milky Way, and this galaxy’s place in the Universe!
Destination Space (Second Level) Space travel is a risky business. Learn the science behind the dangers of space travel and experiment with the engineering solutions that keep astronauts safe and healthy.
Earth, Moon & Sun - An Introduction This workshop introduces the Earth, Moon and Sun – how they move and how they change over time.
Robolab
Destination Space (First Level) Learn all about living in space and Tim Peake’s recent mission to the International Space Station.
This hands-on workshop will have learners trying out different Forensic Science techniques while inspecting their own fingerprints.
Materials Matter This spectacular demo-show highlights how scientists use Chemistry to study, create and develop the materials all around us.
Animal Chatter Different demos show how sound travels, while learners discover how animals such as bats, dolphins and moles use sound to their advantage. www.dundeesciencecentre.org.uk/learning
Exploring Our Universe
Learn about robots, programming and teamwork, by programming LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0 rovers through various challenges.
Circuits Learners explore electronic circuits and components by soldering their own ‘flashing lights’ circuit to take home. Suitable for P6 and above. Additional charge for resources - £2.50 per pupil.
learning@dundeesciencecentre.org.uk | 01382 868609
Dundee Science Festival 2016 #DSciFest Dundee Science Festival returns – Saturday 29 October to Sunday 13 November – celebrating STEM discovery, innovation and research. As well as the programme of public events in the evenings and weekends, we run school events on weekdays. Space for these events is limited, so book early! Nursery sessions last 90 minutes, with optional snack time. Primary days have morning or afternoon slots, with optional lunch time. Secondary days run 10am to 3pm.
Third/Fourth Levels Chemistry is Everywhere Learners will delve into Materials Science, taking part in several activities to examine how properties of certain materials can be changed.
Beyond the Visible: the Electromagnetic Spectrum
Suitable for S1-S2.
Destination Space (Third Level)
Learners explore electronic circuits and components by soldering their own ‘flashing lights’ circuit to take home.
Investigate the properties and real-world uses of visible and invisible EM radiation. Learners explore Physics with practicals including using an IR camera, UV fluorescent materials, lasers and spectroscopes.
Additional charge for resources – £2.50 per pupil.
Activities were fun and interesting... Very engaging staff members - interacted well with our pupils. Encouraged questions and curiosity in our students. Teacher, St Andrew’s RC HS, Kirkcaldy
www.dundeesciencecentre.org.uk/learning
Monday 07 November Launch a rocket; tour the Solar System looking for life; question how many galaxies in the Universe might have alien civilisations; and find out the latest about human space travel.
Astronauts & Astronomers Early Years
Tuesday 08 November Program our LEGO Mindstorms robots to complete different challenges! Answer the question “What is a robot?” and learn about the future of robotics.
Tuesday 01 or Wednesday 02 November Be an astronaut preparing for space, and be an astronomer exploring the night sky and our star myths. Snacks can also be provided - please ask for details and costs when booking.
Thursday 03 November Explore the interesting science and unusual behaviours of novel materials in a practical workshop! Talk careers with STEM Ambassadors who use Chemistry in their everyday jobs.
Robolab
Circuits
Life in Space P1-7
Monday 31 October or Friday 04 November Explore the wonders of the electromagnetic spectrum in a practical workshop, and make spectroscopes whilst learning about their applications in Astronomy. Discuss careers with STEM Ambassadors who use Physics in their jobs.
Chemistry is Everywhere: Zinc about it! S2/3
Groups complete various hands-on challenges highlighting the amazing engineering and science that allow humans to work in space.
Learn about robots, programming and teamwork, by programming LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0 rovers through various challenges.
Physics of Light: A Discovery S2/3
Dundee Science Festival 2016 schools programme runs parallel with Abertay University’s Dundee Primary Schools Science Week (31 October - 04 November).
Fife Science Festival 2017 #FSciFest Fife Science Festival returns in May 2017 with an exciting programme of school science celebration days, in addition to public events for the local communities. To follow upcoming developments, keep an eye on the website www.fifesciencefestival.org.uk or on social media @FSciFest
Robotics P4-7
Healthy Bodies P4-7 Wednesday 09 November Learn about keeping your organs healthy with our friend, Stuffee; follow food through the digestive system; and watch a dissection of a sheep’s heart and lungs!
Tim Peake recently became the first British European Space Agency astronaut to visit the International Space Station. School groups are invited to celebrate Tim’s mission with one of our ‘Destination Space’ workshops developed with the UK Space Agency. Hands-on activities help learners investigate what it is like to be an astronaut, as well as discussing the wide range of other careers available in the space industry.
First Level
Learn about an astronaut’s day, including how to sleep, eat, use the toilet and dress appropriately for space.
Second Level
Space travel is a risky business. Learners investigate the science behind the dangers of space travel and experiment with the engineering solutions that keep astronauts safe and healthy.
Third Level
Learners work in groups to complete various hands-on challenges designed to highlight the amazing engineering and science that allow humans to work in space. Supported by
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Great activities would certainly encourage me to have greater interest in science. Real life connections.
Involved all of our pupils throughout... Really made them think and are now keen to participate in more science.
S2 pupil, St John’s RC HS, Dundee
Teacher, Harris Academy, Dundee
www.dundeesciencecentre.org.uk/learning | learning@dundeesciencecentre.org.uk | 01382 868609 Dundee Science Centre is a registered Scottish Charity, charity no. SC033272. Dundee Science Centre Enterprises Ltd is the trading company for Dundee Science Centre. Both companies are registered in Scotland with individual numbers. Dundee Science Centre: 181709; Dundee Science Centre Enterprises Ltd: 186239. 14 Greenmarket, Dundee DD1 4QB. VAT number: GB742903534.