Engineering School Trips

develop creative, analytical and problem solving skills

What engineering workshops and trips in the UK inspire future problem-solvers?

Engineering visits feature design challenges, bridges, and robotics - promoting creativity and STEM application.

Looking for ideas for your class engineering topic? We have put together a comprehensive array of school trip venues and workshops that cover this fascinating and complex subject.

Engineering is a core component of the STEM or STEAM curriculum. Dovetailing with many areas of science, design, technology and maths, engineering is a subject that allows students to develop creative skills and analytical problem solving skills.

Your budding engineers are likely to find their skills useful in a vast swathe of careers, from mechanical engineering and construction, to robotics and coding. We have workshops specifically designed to introduce children to career opportunities in engineering through enterprise education. We also have options relating to bridge building, transport and infrastructure, and energy.

Perhaps you are studying the history of engineering, from inventors of the Industrial Revolution like Thomas Telford, through the Victorian age, right up to the modern day where engineers are looking at ways to incorporate sustainability into their designs.

From Key Stage 2 hydraulics and mechanics, to designing with microcontrollers for the AGA engineering GCSE, we can help you find the perfect engineering trip.

Visit our main STEM page, or our page celebrating British Science Week.

Want to book Engineering trips and workshops?

Let us find the perfect Engineering experience experience for your school trip




summer school trip giveaway competition

Win a school trip!

Click here now for an exciting opportunity to win one of five amazing prizes! Your class could enjoy a fully funded educational workshop led by expert instructors or an unforgettable school trip to an inspiring destination. Don't miss your chance to win one of these wonderful experiences for your class. Enter today and make learning even more fun!

get a free trip or workshop




Mayan workshop in a school hall
Mayan Workshops
map pin in-school workshop

The Ancient Mayans are explored through their Temple building feats and techniques for cutting and transporting the stone. Structured workshops where the students create large scale reconstructions of iconic architectural landmarks.
> read

view of isambard kingdom brunels iron bridge
Iron Bridge
map pin West Midlands

The world's first iron bridge was erected over the River Severn here in Shropshire in 1779. This pioneering structure marked a turning point in English design and engineering; after it was built, cast iron came to be widely used in construction.
> read

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

roller coaster
Alton Towers
map pin West Midlands

A visit to Alton Towers offers school groups an exciting chance to explore the world of engineering up close. With its impressive array of roller coasters and attractions, students can learn about the...
> read

children watching a science workshop with smoke and colourful lights
The Natural World: Earth, Environment & Water
map pin in-school workshop

'We Make Our Future' is a new interactive, educational & entertaining science show for the next generation of engineers! It was created in collaboration with the Digital Engineering Technology &...
> read

School children wearing VR headsets and high vis jackets
VR Careers Workshop: Virtual Work Experience for Schools
map pin in-school workshop

The workshop helps students experience engineering as practical problem-solving, not just theory. Through VR job simulations, students explore how engineers use tools, systems, and decision-making to...
> read

School children watching fish at the National Marine Aquarium
National Marine Aquarium
map pin South West

Engineering workshops give your students the chance to get hands on, collaborate and problem solve. Using real-world aquarium issues, they will need to design and build practical solutions which will...
> read

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...
> read

VR view from the ISS space station
Experience STEM in Zero-Gravity: VR Space Workshop
map pin in-school workshop

Students discover how engineering makes life in space possible. They see how systems are designed to work together in a highly challenging environment. They then complete an engineering design...
> read

st mawes castle entrance
St Mawes Castle
map pin South West

One of the best preserved of Henry VIII's coastal fortresses, St Mawes was part of a chain of forts built in response to the threat of invasion. With all of this history represented at the site, there are plenty of learning opportunities to explore.
> read

school group learning about computers
Inventors & Makers Computing Workshops
map pin in-school workshop

Engineering is about far more than building things. It is curiosity, creativity, teamwork and the confidence to tackle real problems. We are passionate about giving children hands-on engineering...
> read

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

The MAD Museum in Stratford-upon-Avon is a unique destination for pupils interested in engineering. The museum is dedicated to showcasing kinetic art and automata, which are designed and built by...
> read

KS2 school children building a structure during a STEM workshop
Hands-On In-Person STEM Workshops & Clubs
map pin in-school workshop

At Inventors & Makers, we believe every child should grow up seeing themselves as an inventor and engineer - inspired today to shape the world of tomorrow. Building future-proof skills like...
> read

Prehistory workshop in a school hall
Pre History Workshops
map pin in-school workshop

Focused practical tasks taking history as a starting point and using, DT, maths literacy, science and drama to differing degrees pupils create large scale reconstructions of famous architectural landmarks that bring curriculum subjects to life.
> read

children reconstructing a windrush era boat
Empire Windrush
map pin in-school workshop

There are Construction Elements Included on this workshop, where pupils have to follow instructions together to engineer the structure, so need to help and guide one another to ensure a successful build.
> read

View of Cleeve Abbey gateway
Cleeve Abbey
map pin South West

The Cistercian abbey of Cleeve is a haven of peace and tranquillity, said to contain the finest cloister buildings in England. Pupils today can catch a glimpse of monastic life 800 years ago.
> read

Image for a science school trip to Xplore Science Discovery Centre KS2 KS3
Xplore! Science Discovery Centre
map pin Wales

Engineering is an essential field that encompasses a wide range of disciplines, from designing and building structures to creating innovative technologies that drive modern society. At Xplore!, we...
> read

STEM science workshop in a school hall
STEM Workshop
map pin in-school workshop

All of our workshops contain elements of STEM, due to the nature of the activity. We have a series of workshops that focus on imagination, creativity, teamwork and problem solving, the most challenging of which we categorise STEAM workshops.
> read

ironbridge with spring blossom during an industrial history school trip
British History at Ironbridge & Wroxeter in the heart of Shropshire-Curricul
map pin West Midlands

Embark on an immersive journey into the heart of the Industrial Revolution with a school trip to Ironbridge & Wroxeter, presented by Curriculum Travel. Ironbridge, famously known as the birthplace of...
> read

school class making a bridge during a stem workshop
Bridge Building / Bridges, Maths & Design
map pin in-school workshop

Using fine & gross motor skills with basic materials and simple instructions, leaners work individually and in groups to construct a warren truss bridge structure 2m in length.
> read

Engineering School Trips FAQ: Workshops, Site Visits and SEND Tips for Teachers

9 January 2026

Why go for engineering trips when DT lessons cover it?
Seeing massive bridges or robots in action shows the scale and real-world problems engineers solve. It motivates kids who might not see themselves in STEM. The trips also cover design, materials, and problem-solving, matching curriculum objectives.

School-based engineering workshop or site visit - which to choose?
Workshops bring tools for building (£180-£450) with no travel hassle. Sites like canals or factories show large-scale engineering. We use workshops for primary pupils and site visits for secondary students who can appreciate the feats.

Free engineering spots around?
Falkirk Wheel in Scotland is free to view. Science Museum galleries are free. Local parks with simple machines like seesaws work well for younger children. Free entry allows repeated visits.

Top 10 engineering school trips teachers recommend (2026 check):

1. Science Museum, London (machines, inventions, free)
2. Falkirk Wheel, Scotland (boat lift, engineering marvel)
3. Ironbridge Gorge, Shropshire (industrial revolution)
4. National Railway Museum, York (trains, bridges)
5. In-school engineering workshops (bridge-building)
6. Eden Project, Cornwall (bio-domes, structures)
7. Jodrell Bank, Cheshire (telescope engineering)
8. Thinktank, Birmingham (cars, engines)
9. Glasgow Science Centre (mechanics)
10. Local canals or locks (water engineering)

Engineering trips for SEND pupils - how to make them inclusive?
Ask venues for hands-on adaptations. Falkirk Wheel has viewing platforms. Workshops can use larger parts for fine motor needs. Tactile models work well for visually impaired pupils. Plan ahead and include extra adult support.

Budget expectations for engineering trips:
- Free sites + travel: £4-£12 per child
- Museums: £6-£15 entry
- Workshops: £180-£450
- Residential builds: £140-£280 per child

Look for industry sponsors to offset costs.


Get Engineering school trip news & offers by email

Unsubscribe at any time, we won't share your email with anyone else, just send you all the best offers and ideas for your next class trip!

envelope icon Subscribe