Winchester Science Centre
Photos of Winchester Science Centre
What will students see and do?
Get ready to bring science to life with a school trip at Winchester Science Centre!
Suitable for children in KS1, KS2 and Year 7 in KS3, this all-inclusive experience lasts the whole day. Choose from one of six exciting curriculum-linked, hands-on workshops, be wowed by a bespoke Planetarium show suited to your group’s learning needs, and explore two floors of interactive exhibits using a handy key stage guide.
The Science Centre’s team will do all the hard work. Expert science inspirers will deliver an engaging hands-on workshop; all you have to do is choose which one you want.
Will you blast off on an astronomical adventure to discover the secrets of the stars in Discover Space? How about exploring matter using slime? Or what about a loud and interactive sound workshop where students will discover how we hear and process sound?
And that’s not all! All school visits 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 as if 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.
During your visit, there’ll be lots of time to explore the two floors of interactive exhibits, too. Handy key stage guides will have your students exploring like mini scientists. Climb into a massive guitar and feel it vibrate, experience the acoustics of a sonic rocket, and discover what it’s like to live and work in space.
Plus, if you visit on selected dates in July or December, you can enjoy one of the Science Centre’s seasonal specials. Celebrate the end of school with a bang at the Summer Celebration or enjoy a festive trip in December with the Christmas Special.
As well as a bespoke Planetarium experience and time to explore the exhibits, you can choose to add a seasonal workshop or an explosive live science show to your trip.
With Winchester Science Centre’s help, you can spark children’s curiosity in science!
How does the trip link to the curriculum?
Every school trip will include each of the following activities:
- A 45-minute curriculum-linked workshop (or a 20-minute live science show if you pick this option during the Summer Celebration or Christmas Special)
- A live, presenter-led Planetarium show
- Lots of time to explore the two floors of hands-on interactive exhibits
Workshop options include the following:
Marvellous Minibeasts: Did you know that Winchester Science Centre is located in the stunning South Downs National Park? It’s surrounded by wildlife, and your group can explore some of it in the Marvellous Minibeasts workshop.
There will be real British bugs for your students to come and meet. They’ll examine their life cycles, diets, and behaviours and even step into the roles of different insects to explore how they see the world. Next, grab a magnifying glass and microscope to investigate the hidden structures of the South Downs flora and fauna. What will children discover?
Destination Space: Have your group heard all about the James Webb Telescope? In Destination Space, students will get an introduction to this amazing piece of space technology.
They’ll also explore the properties of light, starting with the visible spectrum before moving on to infrared and heat exchange. And what happens if we use diffraction to break light into its constituent parts? Pick this workshop and they’ll find out!
Matter: What’s the difference between solids, liquids and gases? In this workshop, students will explore why they behave the way they do before making some slime!
As a non-Newtonian fluid, slime brings the properties of matter to life. Children will see and feel them in action while having lots of fun along the way.
Rocketships: Three, two, one! Choose this option to let students try launching their very own rocketships. They’ll learn about forces and combustion and watch the awesome whoosh bottle experiment.
Your children will design and build rocketships using foam pieces and K’nex before maximising their flying potential by considering what will make them aerodynamic. Let the countdown begin!
Sound: Students will discover how sound travels before exploring what volume and pitch are. They’ll test their own hearing and compare their ears to creatures in the animal world.
The Science of Us: In this workshop, your group will explore the human body, focusing on two of the most important organs: the heart and lungs! They’ll learn how blood moves around the body and explore the heart in more detail, even having the opportunity to handle a real-life specimen.
Students will gain understanding about how our bodies function and what we can do to keep them happy and healthy.
Subjects covered
Teaching resources provided
Details of any pre- or post-visit materials will be available on the Winchester Science Centre website.
Minimum and maximum group size
There is a minimum group 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 school 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 risk assessment
Need help writing your risk assessment? There’s some great tips and advice in Winchester Science Centre’s handy guide, which you can access here.
There is also risk assessment information for each workshop available here.
Don't miss our downloadable A-Z guide on completing a risk assessment
Facilities on-site
- Two floors of exciting, action-packed science fun – Check out the schools interactive sensory map before you visit.
- Shop – The Science Shop is open between 12pm and 2pm but only if you let the team know in advance that you would like to use it. It is recommended that pupils bring around £3 to £5 pocket money.
- Toilets – There are female and male toilets, with smaller-seat options for younger visitors. There are also two accessible toilets and a ‘Changing Places’ 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.
- Lift and access – The Science Centre is completely open plan with a level surface. Between the two floors is a roll-on, roll-off lift that’s big enough for a wheelchair and carer/personal assistant.
- Recombobulation Room – Need some quiet space? The Recombobulation Room is a peaceful sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of the Science Centre. It’s a calm, empty space with hardly any sound and a lovely dimmable light.
- Sensory backpacks and ear defenders – There are brilliant sensory backpacks that you can borrow. They come with fiddle toys, ear defenders and a social story.
- First aid – There are on-site first aiders and a fully equipped first aid room. Please let the team know if you would like to use this room for medical requirements during your visit.
Unfortunately, the café is not open during school visits for food. Make sure everyone remembers to bring their lunch. It is also recommended that you bring along a refillable water bottle, as there are cold water dispensers available.
Opening times
School groups typically visit between 10am and 2pm on a weekday during Hampshire term times. For general public opening times, please visit the Science Centre’s website.
Pricing
Winchester Science Centre is run by the educational charity Wonderseekers. The charity works really hard to break down barriers to engagement, and to help with this, all schools benefit from a discount on regular general admission prices, with 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.
Standard school rates: Student – £13 (VAT exempt) / Adult – FREE
Subsidised rates for eligible schools: 12% subsidy for state-funded schools (including academies, multi-academy trusts, free schools and University Technology Colleges) – £44 (VAT exempt) / 60% for any school with 17% or more students receiving free school meals – £5.20 (VAT exempt)
Travel arrangements
Winchester Science Centre is located around three miles from Winchester city centre.
Coaches have their own parking area in the car park, and parking is free. The access route to the main entrance from the coach parking is completely flat. If your coach is leaving, please make sure it returns by 2pm at the latest.
There is also Blue Badge parking closer to the Science Centre’s entrance for those that need it.
Address
Telegraph Way
Winchester
Hampshire
SO21 1HZ
Book your school trip to Winchester Science Centre
For information on booking your school trip to this venue, click below.
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