Biology: Human Body, Cells & The Brain Workshop
Explorer Dome
We have two separate human biology shows.Our Human Body show (KS1-3) is a fun filled, disgusting journey to find out what happens to your food from plate to poo! Our Cell show (KS2+) discusses the fundamental units of living things from the perspective of human cells that make up our adapted tissues, organs and systems. Both shows are available for KS3 students.
Our newest show, 'Voyage Inside the Brain' (KS2+) is a fulldome celebration of the most complex structure in the universe. We transform our dome into a giant brain to introduce basic neuroscience, how our brains work, the amazing things they can do and how to keep our brains healthy. We explore how the brain can change over our lifetimes and allow our audiences to discuss and destigmatise dementia. It was supported by Alzheimer's Research UK and developed with neuroscientists from Bristol University.
Current special offers for school groups
40% off a Chemistry visit with RSC funding for schools in South Somerset, Devon and Cornwall
Schools in Devon, Cornwall, and parts of South Somerset who book a visit with our Chemistry shows (Bubbles, States of Matter, Science Tricks, or the Water show) can now receive support from the Peninsula Local Section of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). Preference will be given to schools with postcodes in the top 30% of most deprived neighbourhoods of the UK, according to the Indices of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) for England.
More information can be found here: or get in touch with us directly on ! We look forward to hearing from you :).
valid until: July 2026
40% off a Chemistry visit with RSC funding for schools in Bristol, Bath, and some parts of Somerset, Gloucestershire, Swindon and Wiltshire
Schools in Bristol, Bath and some parts of Somerset, Gloucestershire, Swindon and Wiltshire who book our Chemistry shows (Bubbles, States of Matter, Science Tricks, or the Water show) can 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 on for more information!
valid until: January 2028
Where we travel to
We can visit your school in: West Midlands, London South West, London West, London North West, London Central, London North, South East, South West, Wales
What activities are available during this school workshop?
BODY/DIGESTION:
Key Stage One - ages 5-7 (The Body Show)
A hands-on introduction to bones and teeth, healthy eating and digestion. Find out what we eat, where it goes and what happens to it all inside your stomach!
Duration: ~45 mins Curriculum Links Capacity: ~35 children + adults
Key Stage Two - ages 7-11 (The Body Show)
Disgusting digestion from top to bottom! Join us on a hands-on journey to discover food groups and teeth and then head down the oesophagus to take a look at the form and function of your digestive system. Experience ingestion, digestion, absorption and egestion from plate to poo!
Duration: ~45 mins Curriculum Links Capacity: ~30 children + adults
Key Stage Three - ages 11-14 (The Body Show)
A hands-on guide to diet and digestion. Follow the journey of your food, investigate food groups, teeth, saliva, acid, mucous, enzymes, blood and cells. Ingestion, digestion, absorption, excretion and egestion from top to bottom!
Duration: ~50 mins Curriculum Links Capacity: ~30 students + adults
THE CELL SHOW:
Key Stage Three - ages 11-14 (The Cell Show)
Delve deep within to float inside a gigantic cell. From organisms to organelles, discuss the units of life - their diversity in scale, form and function and the marvels of the genetic code.
Duration: ~50 mins Curriculum Links Capacity: ~30 students + adults
Key Stage Four - ages 14-16+ (The Cell Show)
A journey inside the biological cell to explore what makes something alive. Their scale, diversity in form and function, from organisms to organelles, discuss the units of life and get to grips with the genetic code. Chromosomes and genes, cloning and genetic engineering - what will be possible in the future and where do we draw the line?!
Duration: ~50 mins Curriculum Links Capacity: ~30 students + adults
VOYAGE INSIDE THE BRAIN:
Upper Key Stage Two - ages 9-11 (Brain show)
We transform our dome into a giant brain to introduce basic neuroscience, how our brains work, the amazing things they can do and how to keep our brains healthy. We explore how the brain can change over our lifetimes and allow our audiences to discuss and destigmatise dementia. Our experienced presenters will adapt the show to suit your audience.
Duration: ~45 mins Curriculum Links Capacity: ~30 children + adults
Key Stage Three - ages 11-14 (Brain show)
We transform our dome into a giant brain to introduce basic neuroscience, how our brains work, the amazing things they can do and how to keep our brains healthy. We explore how the brain can change over our lifetimes and allow our audiences to discuss and destigmatise dementia. Our experienced presenters will adapt the show to suit your audience.
Duration: ~45 mins Curriculum Links Capacity: ~25 children + adults
Key Stage Four and beyond - ages 14+ (Brain show)
We transform our dome into a giant brain to introduce basic neuroscience, how our brains work, the amazing things they can do and how to keep our brains healthy. We explore how the brain can change over our lifetimes and allow our audiences to discuss and destigmatise dementia. Our experienced presenters will adapt the show to suit your audience.
Duration: ~45 mins Curriculum Links Capacity: ~20 children + adults
Key Stage One - ages 5-7 (The Body Show)
A hands-on introduction to bones and teeth, healthy eating and digestion. Find out what we eat, where it goes and what happens to it all inside your stomach!
Duration: ~45 mins Curriculum Links Capacity: ~35 children + adults
Key Stage Two - ages 7-11 (The Body Show)
Disgusting digestion from top to bottom! Join us on a hands-on journey to discover food groups and teeth and then head down the oesophagus to take a look at the form and function of your digestive system. Experience ingestion, digestion, absorption and egestion from plate to poo!
Duration: ~45 mins Curriculum Links Capacity: ~30 children + adults
Key Stage Three - ages 11-14 (The Body Show)
A hands-on guide to diet and digestion. Follow the journey of your food, investigate food groups, teeth, saliva, acid, mucous, enzymes, blood and cells. Ingestion, digestion, absorption, excretion and egestion from top to bottom!
Duration: ~50 mins Curriculum Links Capacity: ~30 students + adults
THE CELL SHOW:
Key Stage Three - ages 11-14 (The Cell Show)
Delve deep within to float inside a gigantic cell. From organisms to organelles, discuss the units of life - their diversity in scale, form and function and the marvels of the genetic code.
Duration: ~50 mins Curriculum Links Capacity: ~30 students + adults
Key Stage Four - ages 14-16+ (The Cell Show)
A journey inside the biological cell to explore what makes something alive. Their scale, diversity in form and function, from organisms to organelles, discuss the units of life and get to grips with the genetic code. Chromosomes and genes, cloning and genetic engineering - what will be possible in the future and where do we draw the line?!
Duration: ~50 mins Curriculum Links Capacity: ~30 students + adults
VOYAGE INSIDE THE BRAIN:
Upper Key Stage Two - ages 9-11 (Brain show)
We transform our dome into a giant brain to introduce basic neuroscience, how our brains work, the amazing things they can do and how to keep our brains healthy. We explore how the brain can change over our lifetimes and allow our audiences to discuss and destigmatise dementia. Our experienced presenters will adapt the show to suit your audience.
Duration: ~45 mins Curriculum Links Capacity: ~30 children + adults
Key Stage Three - ages 11-14 (Brain show)
We transform our dome into a giant brain to introduce basic neuroscience, how our brains work, the amazing things they can do and how to keep our brains healthy. We explore how the brain can change over our lifetimes and allow our audiences to discuss and destigmatise dementia. Our experienced presenters will adapt the show to suit your audience.
Duration: ~45 mins Curriculum Links Capacity: ~25 children + adults
Key Stage Four and beyond - ages 14+ (Brain show)
We transform our dome into a giant brain to introduce basic neuroscience, how our brains work, the amazing things they can do and how to keep our brains healthy. We explore how the brain can change over our lifetimes and allow our audiences to discuss and destigmatise dementia. Our experienced presenters will adapt the show to suit your audience.
Duration: ~45 mins Curriculum Links Capacity: ~20 children + adults
Which curriculum topics do we cater for?
Biology
Human Body Nutrition and digestion (KS3/4) Cells and organisation (KS3/4) Digestive System Animals including humans Inheritance chromosomes DNA and genes (KS3/4) Life Sciences Health (KS3/4)
We have two separate human biology shows:
Our KS1/2/3 Human Body show is a fun filled, disgusting journey to find out what happens to your food from plate to poo! Our KS3/4+ Cell show discusses the fundamental units of living things from the perspective of human cells that make up our adapted tissues, organs and systems. Both shows are available for KS3 students.
PSHE
Mental health and awareness Healthy eating Healthy Living Mental health and awareness
Our newest KS2/3/4+ show, 'Voyage Inside the Brain', is a fulldome celebration of the most complex structure in the universe. We transform our dome into a giant brain to introduce basic neuroscience, how our brains work, the amazing things they can do and how to keep our brains healthy. We explore how the brain can change over our lifetimes and allow our audiences to discuss and destigmatise dementia. It was supported by Alzheimer's Research UK and developed with neuroscientists from Bristol University.
What size groups do we cater for?
Our Standard Dome takes up a floor area of 6 metres x 7 metres. The height is 3.5 metres - and it is worth checking for surprise hanging projectors and lights! As a rule of thumb, we can fit about 30 people inside the Standard Dome per show, but if you have older students or adults, you will need our Large Dome (which still requires 3.5 metres height, but takes up a larger 8 metres x 9 metres floor area). If you have classes of infants or juniors, you can get up to 40 children inside this larger Dome!
Chemistry shows do not use the Dome and so can accommodate up to 60-70 per show.
Chemistry shows do not use the Dome and so can accommodate up to 60-70 per show.
Access for visitors with disabilities
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.
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.
Visitors with Special Educational Needs (SEN)
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.
Chemistry shows which do not use the Dome (e.g. Bubbles!) can accommodate up to 30 people per show.
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?
Availability
We tend to book up about a term in advance, and busy times can book 12 months ahead (for example British Science Week in March) so it's worth giving us as much notice as you can.
For short notice bookings, please do still get in touch in case of any cancellations / movement in the diary. We will always do our best to come to you!
Where do we travel?
We regularly travel throughout the South West, London, South Wales and the West Midlands.
If you are further afield, we can still come and give you a quote to include the additional travel costs. We also travel internationally.
What does a venue need to provide?
Dome visits need an indoor space large enough with a smooth, clean floor and access to mains power. The Dome can only be outside if housed in a floored marquee... otherwise it will blow away!
Chemistry shows require a space large enough to accommodate your audience and access to 2 tables and mains power. Chemistry shows also need access to hot water (not needed in the same room) and benefit from high ceilings and the capability to isolate heat/smoke detectors, as these shows can involve freezing fog, fire, flashes and bangs. 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 or 3 shows into a morning and 6 or 7 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.
We tend to book up about a term in advance, and busy times can book 12 months ahead (for example British Science Week in March) so it's worth giving us as much notice as you can.
For short notice bookings, please do still get in touch in case of any cancellations / movement in the diary. We will always do our best to come to you!
Where do we travel?
We regularly travel throughout the South West, London, South Wales and the West Midlands.
If you are further afield, we can still come and give you a quote to include the additional travel costs. We also travel internationally.
What does a venue need to provide?
Dome visits need an indoor space large enough with a smooth, clean floor and access to mains power. The Dome can only be outside if housed in a floored marquee... otherwise it will blow away!
Chemistry shows require a space large enough to accommodate your audience and access to 2 tables and mains power. Chemistry shows also need access to hot water (not needed in the same room) and benefit from high ceilings and the capability to isolate heat/smoke detectors, as these shows can involve freezing fog, fire, flashes and bangs. 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 or 3 shows into a morning and 6 or 7 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.
Who are Explorer Dome?
Explorer Dome is Unique
Hands-On Science
We 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!
A Brief History
Explorer Dome has been around for over 25 years! From our humble beginnings in 1998, we have come a long way with four domes, chemistry presentations, workshops, a team of specialist presenters and a base in Bristol and now London.
Explorer Dome reaches over 80,000 children and adults every year. Each person coming to our shows has a ~45 minute, immersive experience where new ideas, scientific interests and identity can be explored. We cover hundreds of schools and events across the whole of England, Wales and beyond. Over the years we have visited thousands of places from the Highlands to the Channel Islands, met over 1 million children and enjoyed every moment!
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