Explorer Dome-States of Matter Show
School Workshop
We can visit your school in: West Midlands, London & South East, South West, WalesWhy book 'Explorer Dome-States of Matter Show'
Hands-On ScienceWe believe that the best way to learn is by doing – that’s why all of our shows are fully interactive, making Explorer Dome shows 100% presenter-led, hands-on and unforgettable!
“I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.” (Confucius)
Lively, Knowledgable Presenters
Our brilliant presenters are at the heart of everything we do here at Explorer Dome. When you book a visit from us, you are signing up to receive the best quality science shows from presenters who are experienced, highly trained, passionate and rigourous about the science and, most importantly, fun!
Science for Everyone
Discover a huge range of topics that bring science to life for audiences of all ages, genders, backgrounds and abilities. Inclusive education is at the heart of what we do and we visit schools, colleges, adult education, teacher training, festivals and special events and, as we pitch the show for your group, no two shows are ever the same!
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What activities are available during this educational workshop?
Exciting experiments and daring demos explore solids, liquids and gases, evaporating, condensing, melting, sublimation and freezing. The States of Matter show was originally developed by Dr Mike Coles - a legend in hands-on chemistry education - and our chemistry shows are supported by the Royal Society of Chemistry.
Scientific Enquiry
We want to stimulate curiosity in science for all, regardless of age, gender, background or ability. Our science shows:
Allow for questions to share interests and explore ideas
Treat every child as unique, supporting personal development
Promote observation, prediction and exploration
Encourage imagination, creative and critical thinking
Support and enhance the Curriculum across subject areas
Scientific Enquiry
We want to stimulate curiosity in science for all, regardless of age, gender, background or ability. Our science shows:
Allow for questions to share interests and explore ideas
Treat every child as unique, supporting personal development
Promote observation, prediction and exploration
Encourage imagination, creative and critical thinking
Support and enhance the Curriculum across subject areas
Which Curriculum Subjects do you cater for?
Chemistry
States of Matter The particulate nature of matter (KS3/4) Properties and changes of materials Chemical Reactions Materials (KS3/4) Structure bonding and the properties of matter (KS3/4) STATES OF MATTER SHOW (KS2 & KS3)
KS2
Key Stage Two - ages 7-11
An unusual and exciting collection of models and demonstration explore evaporating, condensing, melting and freezing. Solids, liquids and gases - what is the difference and what happens as we change state? This show investigates the particle theory of matter for KS2 with exciting experiments and daring demos to thrill your audience.
Duration: ~45 mins Curriculum Links Capacity: ~60 children + adults
KS3
Key Stage Three - ages 11-14
This show investigates solids, liquids and gases. Unusual substances such as liquid nitrogen and solid carbon dioxide are used to bring alive this important part of the National Curriculum. Explore the particle theory of matter with extreme temperatures and combustion, and find out what is in the air we breath as liquid air is distilled and liquid oxygen prepared.
Duration: ~50 mins Curriculum Links Capacity: ~60 students + adults
What size groups do you cater for?
Up to 70 primary-aged children or up to 60 secondary-aged children, depending on seating arrangements.
Do you offer access for visitors with disabilities?
Yes. People who can't crawl or are in wheelchairs can be accommodated, but this does reduce the capacity for our Dome shows so please notify us in advance.
Do you cater for visitors with Special Educational Needs (SEN)?
Schools for Children with Special Needs We love the work we do with SEN schools as the Dome is a wonderfully immersive and relaxing environment and a perfect place to learn for children with special educational needs. Merging the very best bits from different shows, we aim to make the shows as multisensory as possible. We recommend themes of 'Space and Rockets' (inside the Dome) or 'Bubbles' (outside the Dome) for all abilities, but can adapt most of our other themes for children at NC level 1 or above. People who can't crawl or are in wheelchairs can be accommodated, but this does reduce the capacity for our Dome shows so please notify us in advance. We recommend a maximum capacity of 25 inside the Dome including teaching staff and carers and for EBD students we would suggest smaller class sizes than this. Some presentations include flashing lights and loud noises so presenters should be notified of children who are adversely effected by this (e.g. behavioural difficulties, autism or epilepsy) and we can adapt the shows accordingly. We can give you a full break down of the show in advance and our presenters can use some Makaton signing in the shows to help with understanding.
Anything else?
What does a venue need to provide?
Chemistry shows require a space large enough to accommodate your audience and access to 2 tables and mains power. Chemistry shows also need hot water, but it does not need to be in the same room. If some of your audience would benefit from being on benches or chair, it would be really helpful to have these nearby or set up at the start of the day.
How does a timetable work?
Shows last between 40 and 55 mins, depending on your audience and timetable requirements. We can usually fit 2 shows into a morning and 4 shows into a full day visit, but capacity of shows and timetables vary depending on the type of show you choose.
If you visit the page for a particular show topic from the menu above, each show summary has detailed information of the capacity of each show, length and national curriculum links.
We can certainly bring an array of different show topics in the same visit, but this may reduce the number of shows possible to fit in a single day.
What else should you know?
We will need reasonable vehicle access to the hall – let us know if access is likely to be poor (e.g. many steps or long distances) as this will affect the schedule and the preparations we need to make for the day.
At least one member of staff must accompany the children during the shows but we promise they will enjoy it! For family shows, all children under 7 should be accompanied by an adult.
If you prefer, do feel free to get in touch and we can help with your plan.
Chemistry shows require a space large enough to accommodate your audience and access to 2 tables and mains power. Chemistry shows also need hot water, but it does not need to be in the same room. If some of your audience would benefit from being on benches or chair, it would be really helpful to have these nearby or set up at the start of the day.
How does a timetable work?
Shows last between 40 and 55 mins, depending on your audience and timetable requirements. We can usually fit 2 shows into a morning and 4 shows into a full day visit, but capacity of shows and timetables vary depending on the type of show you choose.
If you visit the page for a particular show topic from the menu above, each show summary has detailed information of the capacity of each show, length and national curriculum links.
We can certainly bring an array of different show topics in the same visit, but this may reduce the number of shows possible to fit in a single day.
What else should you know?
We will need reasonable vehicle access to the hall – let us know if access is likely to be poor (e.g. many steps or long distances) as this will affect the schedule and the preparations we need to make for the day.
At least one member of staff must accompany the children during the shows but we promise they will enjoy it! For family shows, all children under 7 should be accompanied by an adult.
If you prefer, do feel free to get in touch and we can help with your plan.
Special rates for schools
outside of peak season
Royal Society of Chemistry funding available for 'Bristol and District' schools!
Schools booking Chemistry shows in Bristol, Bath and some parts of Somerset, Gloucestershire, Swindon and Wiltshire may receive support from the Bristol & District branch of the Royal Society of Chemistry. The RSC may fund up to 40% of the cost of your Chemistry show visit, however, the allocation of these funds is annual and distributed on a first come first served basis so please get in touch for more information
The Bubble Show, States of Matter and Science Tricks shows don’t use the Dome and are suitable for up to 70 (KS1/2) or 60 (KS3/4) students per show. High ceilings and capability to isolate heat/smoke detectors are a big plus as these shows involve freezing fog, fire, flashes and bangs! The cost again depends on the number of shows you would like to have:
£540 + VAT for a morning of 1 or 2 shows.
Additional shows cost £150 + VAT per show (e.g. 3 shows = £690 + VAT)
A full day of shows can usually accommodate up to 4 shows (£840 + VAT)
All schools in Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset will be offered a local discount for any Dome or Chemistry shows.
The reduced cost for local schools is:
£390 + VAT for a morning with up to 2 shows.
Additional shows cost £150 + VAT per show (for example, 3 shows = £540 + VAT)
A full day of shows can usually accommodate up to 4 shows (£690 + VAT)
Please quote 'Plan My School Trip' when boking :)
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