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Design and Technology School Trips

Innovative problem solving

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How can UK schools find design and technology trips to teach practical skills, materials, and innovation?

Design technology visits include maker spaces, engineering centres, and product design workshops - helping students prototype, evaluate, and create while linking to curriculum projects.

A recurring theme when teachers are asked what they are looking to get from their trip, is problem solving skills - a key aspect of the Design and Technology teaching at KS2 and KS3. Designed to feed children's creativity and imagination, Design and Technology draws on skills from a broad range of other curriculum subject, from maths and science to art and design.

Whatever your design and technology topic, we can help find a school visit that will complement your class activities and inspire your pupils' creativity and understanding. We have visits that focus on scientific inventions, modern architecture, pre-historic technology right through to the Age of Enlightenment. We have trips that will teach your class about how mining methods have changed through the years, and about how cutting edge design is helping to solve the energy problem.

If you need anything more ideas, please use the short form on this page to let us know your design and technology learning objective. Related topics include Cooking and Nutrition, Engineering and Art.

Find a school trip or workshop for the following Design Technology topics: 3D Printing, Architecture, Electronics, Fashion and textiles, Made to measure, Materials, Mechanics and engineering, Virtual Reality, and more.

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Children learning at the MAD Museum in Warwickshire
The MAD Museum
map pin West Midlands

Covering Year 1-11+. MAD covers mechanics, engineering, electronics and different materials. Get to grips with the wonderfully inquisitive world of engineering and purposeful beauty. We help pupils...
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poster of school toys from the past
ToysInSchool
map pin in-school workshop

The children will use (with one-on-one supervision) a range of tools such as "a hand drill" and "hammer" to build their own wooden toy and use glue and string to join materials and components.
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KS2 school children building a structure during a STEM workshop
Hands-On In-Person STEM Workshops & Clubs
map pin in-school workshop

Our workshops for KS1 and KS2 are linked to many areas of the Design & Technology curriculum, including engineering structures, mechanisms and the design process itself. We'll help your pupils...
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VR view from the ISS space station
Experience STEM in Zero-Gravity: VR Space Workshop
map pin in-school workshop

Students experience Design Technology through a design challenge in space!. After exploring the International Space Station in VR, they must design an extra feature to improve life or work on board....
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KS1 children building robots
Beginner STEMbotics - Robotics & Coding KS1-KS2
map pin in-school workshop

This workshop involves students building robots from instructions that can teach them about various mechanisms including cams, levers and pulleys, and gearing. If you would like us to focus the...
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Image for a stem Lego Robotics school workshop KS2 KS3
JuniorSTEM Lego Robotics
map pin in-school workshop

The children build and program Robotic Lego models. They all have either wheels & axles, gears, levers, pulleys or cams - or a combination of these. Whilst building they will gain experience in...
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roller coaster
Alton Towers
map pin West Midlands

Alton Towers offers school groups a fantastic opportunity to explore the fascinating world of mechanics and engineering. With its world-class roller coasters and rides, students can gain hands-on...
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robotic lego creature
JuniorSTEM Lego Robotics
map pin in-school workshop

The children build and program Robotic Lego models. They all have either wheels & axles, gears, levers, pulleys or cams - or a combination of these. Whilst building they will gain experience in...
> read

school workshop showing children building a bridge
Bridge Building For KS1
map pin in-school workshop

Construction Elements Included, where pupils have to follow instructions together to form the structure, so need to help and guide one another to ensure a successful build.
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models of space shuttle and moon
STEM Fairs
map pin online/in-school workshop

Immersive Experiences' VR programs cover the greatest variety of shows ' more than any planetarium in the world, with over 200 experiences to enjoy. Bring learning and entertainment together...
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Key Stage 1 children on a London city bus tour
London City Bus Tours
map pin London & South East

Embarking on a tour of London's architectural landmarks offers a fascinating glimpse into the city's rich history and design evolution. Start at the Tower of London, a UNESCO World Heritage site,...
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KS1 child with a magnifying glass on a bug hunt
Day Visits
map pin London & South East

These programmes focus on the epic design of Lee Valley VeloPark and how the features of the giant in London's landscape help make the venue a success after the Olympics. Now including the new Lee...
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logo for education destination
Isle of Wight - The Island Classroom with Education Destination
map pin London & South East

The Isle of Wight is home to many fascinating and innovative companies who can impart real-life practical examples of the use of design and technology on visiting groups. From electronic products...
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pendennis castle
Pendennis Castle
map pin South West

Use the 'Build me a Fortress!' activity in the Teachers' Kit, available from the English Heritage website, to understand how the castle was built and the materials used, and then create your own model fortress back in the classroom.
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building at the hive activity centre
Unforgettable Residentials at The Hive
map pin London & South East

Shelter Building - Work in groups to plan and build a shelter in the forest using natural materials. Challenge to make the shelter warm, stable and waterproof. Curriculum links: Design and Technology (Make; Evaluate; Technical knowledge);
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school hall workshop for anglo saxon building
Anglo Saxon Workshop
map pin in-school workshop

Construction Elements Included, where pupils have to follow instructions together to form the structure, so need to help and guide one another to ensure a successful build.
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school children learning magnetic electronics
HYEN Magnetronics and Electricity Workshops
map pin in-school workshop

Our workshops deliver hands-on Design Technology skills taught by qualified engineers. Pupils work from circuit diagrams and design briefs to build functioning electrical systems - the same...
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children reconstructing a windrush era boat
Empire Windrush
map pin in-school workshop

Construction Elements Included, where pupils have to follow instructions together to form the structure, so need to help and guide one another to ensure a successful build.
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Mayan workshop in a school hall
Mayan Workshops
map pin in-school workshop

Construction Elements Included, where pupils have to follow instructions together to form the structure, so need to help and guide one another to ensure a successful build.
> read

trojan horse model make during a school workshop
Trojan Horse
map pin in-school workshop

Construction Elements Included, where pupils have to follow instructions together to form the structure, so need to help and guide one another to ensure a successful build. Construction Elements...
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Design Technology School Trips FAQ: Workshops, Factory Visits and SEND Tips for Teachers

7 January 2026

Design Technology School Trips FAQ: Workshops, Factory Visits and SEND Tips for Teachers

Why take Design Technology classes on trips?
Design Technology trips allow pupils to see how products are designed and made in real settings such as factories, museums, or maker spaces. Students learn about materials, manufacturing processes, and product design beyond the classroom workshop. These visits often inspire more creative project ideas and support practical curriculum work.

DT workshop at school or visit out - which works best?
Workshops bring tools and materials directly to school (£200-£500) and allow pupils to build or prototype products. Visits to design museums or manufacturing sites provide real world inspiration. Many schools use workshops for developing practical skills and visits to show how design works in industry.

Free Design Technology places schools can visit?
Yes. The V and A Museum design galleries in London offer free entry. Some maker markets and design exhibitions are also free for school groups. Many museums allow educational group bookings without entry fees, though travel costs still apply.

Top 10 Design Technology school trips teachers recommend (2026 check):

1. V and A Museum, London (design galleries, free)
2. Science Museum, London (inventions and engineering)
3. Ironbridge Gorge, Shropshire (historic engineering)
4. In-school maker workshops (prototyping and product design)
5. Thinktank, Birmingham (technology and product design)
6. Eden Project, Cornwall (sustainable design ideas)
7. National Railway Museum, York (train engineering and design)
8. Glasgow Science Centre (technology and innovation)
9. Local manufacturing factories (product tours)
10. Kew Gardens, London (nature inspired design)

Design Technology trips for SEND pupils - what helps?
Museums such as the V and A provide tactile exhibits and accessible displays. Workshops can adapt tools and materials for different motor abilities. Larger construction pieces and simplified instructions often work well. Checking accessibility and planning extra adult support helps ensure all pupils can participate.

Typical cost for Design Technology trips:
- Free museums plus travel: £5-£15 per child
- Visitor centres: £8-£18 entry
- Workshops: £200-£500
- Residential design or maker camps: £150-£280 per child

Schools can sometimes apply for grants or industry sponsorship to support Design Technology learning activities.


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