01 WHY VISIT A SCIENCE CENTRE?

Benefit to Students

A visit to a science centre can add motivation to education. It can inspire them in what can otherwise be a quiet and restrictive subject within the confines of the classroom.

According to the Learning Outside of the Classroom Manifesto, "Every young person should experience the world beyond the classroom as an essential part of learning and personal development, whatever their age, ability or circumstances."

During their visit the students have a chance to explore science at their own level and pace. The hands-on, physical experience of science exhibits provides a practical level of understanding which is impossible to recreate in the classroom. If a show or presentation is also planned as part of a visit the children can also be shown experiments by experts that would be too expensive or dangerous to perform elsewhere.

VIDEO CLIP 1

In this group activity the children create a 'human circuit' using a special battery and light-bulb. They are then shown how to make a switch and test whether wood or copper make the best insulator.

VIDEO CLIP 2

A visit to a science centre will include time for the children to explore different interactive exhibits for themselves.

Benefit to Teachers

It may be that some teachers lack confidence in teaching certain specified areas of the science curriculum. Teaching materials are often provided by science centres based on themed visits and key points are clearly explained during the visit - either through use of interactive exhibits or taking part in a show.

A visit to a science centre can be a focus and help to a topic or area of study. Primary school teachers will often set a term's topic around the visit. It can be used as an introduction, a mid-point focus or even a consolidation exercise.

Relating Science to Everyday Life

pulley Hands-on exhibits allow the child to physically experience science taught in the classroom. An example would be a forces exhibit that demonstrates the use of pulleys and how different arrangements can make the weight easier to lift. Some exhibits explain how electricity is generated by getting the visitor to turn a handle showing how much energy is used in lighting a lightbulb.

Enthusing Children in Science

Centres use various methods to enthuse children in science. They give presentations which show live experiments they would not be able to experience in the classroom. Demonstrations involve volunteers so the audience fully participate. Children get the chance to enact science themselves regardless of ability or education. Small groups are able to interact and experiment together in a safe and controlled way - talking about what's happening.

Science Presentations

Click here to see videos of demonstrations used in science shows.