Winchester Science Centre & Planetarium School Trips

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Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium is the leading science and discovery centre in the South of England, welcoming more than 175,000 visitors per year. The Centre is also home to the UK’s largest standalone planetarium. As an independent educational charity, Winchester Science Centre is dedicated to sparking curiosity in STEM and helping young people to build their science capital. Our experienced team provides an extensive learning and participation programme to over 40,000 school children each year.

Our new all-inclusive approach to school visits means every school trip will include each of the following activities:
- Discover Workshop: choose from six curriculum-linked themes
- Planetarium Show: a new presenter-led, live show featuring the stars and planets adapted to meet the needs of your group
- Space Challenge: a guided mission through Explorer:Space, a new interactive zone
- Explore the exhibits: students will have an allocated time to enjoy the much-loved hands-on exhibition floor.

The workshop, planetarium show and space challenge will be adapted to suit the age and ability of your group. All you need to do is decide which of the Discover Workshops you'd like to book.

Winchester Science Centre & Planetarium photograph

school trip at Winchester Science Centre & Planetarium

Winchester Science Centre & Planetarium school groups

Why are Winchester Science Centre & Planetarium great for School Trips and Educational Visits?

Winchester Science Centre wants to make visiting available to everyone and to help with this they have a new benefit-based pricing structure, which includes up to 60% off for eligible schools.

All schools benefit from a 20% discount on equivalent general entry. There is one admission price for students and accompanying adults attend for free. Discounts are provided for state-funded schools, schools with above average number of students receiving free school meals, and our priority schools. Visit the website for further information on pricing.

There is a brilliant team of Curiosity Officers and Inspirers running our live shows and workshops – the new offer ensures this activity is at the heart of every school visit and not an added extra limited solely to the schools that can afford it. This is in line with the charity’s mission of building science capital for all.

What activities are available during group visits?

The Discover Workshops:

Discover: Destination Space - Explore the Universe from the comfort of your home planet. Follow and work with our robotic explorers as they face the challenges of space. Find out how space discoveries affects life on Earth.

Discover: Life - Meet the best problem solvers on the planet. Investigate and discover how life has adapted and evolved over time.

Discover: Matter -The states of matter and smart materials are investigated through screaming dry ice, slime and homemade bouncy balls!

Discover: Robots - Obstacles are no barrier in this team-based session where robots will be programmed to complete maths-based challenges.

Discover: Rockets - Calling all engineers, discover how to become a rocket scientist by building and modifying your teams own rocket.

Discover: Sound - From earthquakes to the humble triangle this interactive and inventive workshop will explore the physics of sound by students creating their own musical instruments and experimenting with some truly unusual ways of making sound.

What size groups do you cater for?

Please contact the school bookings team to discuss your requirements.

Do you offer on-site classroom facilities?

Yes

Is there first aid on site?

Yes

Do you offer access for visitors with disabilities?

Yes and the Centre is currently fundraising to further improve and develop these facilities.

Do you cater for visitors with Special Educational Needs (SEN)?

Yes

Teacher Checklist

		Risk Assessments
		Inspection Visits
		Free Places for Teachers
		Resource Packs
		LOtC Quality Badge
		AALA Licence

UK Location

Need more inspiration?

We are bursting with ideas on places that deliver first class teaching both outside the classroom and as in-school workshops. Here are a few similar suggestions, or head to our tailor-made trip form and let us know how we can help you!