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Chemistry School Trips and Workshops

Chemical reactions, processes, states of matter, properties and materials

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Where can UK schools find chemistry-focused trips and workshops to explore reactions, elements, and materials?

Chemistry school trips in the UK include hands-on sessions at science centres and museums demonstrating experiments, molecular structures, and everyday applications, ideal for Key Stage 3 and 4 students to deepen understanding of the periodic table and chemical processes safely and excitingly.

Chemistry is the science of matter and is often described as the central science because of its links to biology and physics. The modern practices of Chemistry can be dated back to the Ancient Egyptians, and by 1000BC civilisations were developing techniques that demonstrated an understanding of chemical reactions such as producing medicines from plants, extracting metals from ore and fermentation.

Chemistry in the class room doesn't need to be about trawling through text books or trying to memorise the periodic table, practical activities are fun and help motivate pupils to learn and enjoy the subject. I can certainly remember those basic chemistry experiments such as igniting magnesium (so it burns with a bright white flame!) and removing the tarnish from a 2 penny piece, so why not take these sorts of experiences outside the confines of the school lab.

There are some fantastic Science centres in the UK that offer materials and properties demonstrations and engaging work shops designed to inspire future scientists, and by taking your class on such school trips you'll not only be the cool science teacher but you may also encourage the scientists of tomorrow to pursue Chemistry as a career path. Find out more about chemistry in British Science Week

Find a school trip or workshop for the following Chemistry topics: Chemical Reactions, Everyday materials, Food Science, Properties and changes of materials, Rocks, Scientists and inventors, States of Matter, and more.

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Win a STEM workshop with Inventors & Makers

Excite your students by winning a one hour STEM workshop on a topic of your choice or a free full key stage assembly focused on engineering. Help spark curiosity and passion for science and engineering among your students and inspire the next generation of innovators!

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group of school children with brightly coloured backpacks
Creative School Trips
map pin London & South East

Science tours may include vistis to the Science Museum, and to other sites and attractions across the UK where students can experience practical activities, guided tours, talks and academic lessons...
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big school camp trailer and camping equipment
Big School Camp South
map pin London & South East, East of England, South West

1. Feral Science deliver curriculum Chemistry from Upper KS2 to GCSE outdoors 2. We use bushcraft and a range of outdoor skills to reveal the curriculum chemistry behind everyday things 3. All...
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KS3 escape room group
Real Life Escape Room At School
map pin in-school workshop

Our Mobile Escape Room is truly immersive experience that will give any event a WOW factor. With two different themes, this unique vehicle allows students a chance to take part in a fully functioning escape room without leaving the school grounds.
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camping tents on the isle of wight
Low Cost Isle of Wight Accommodation with Education Destination
map pin London & South East

Education Destination welcomes thousands of students of all ages to the Isle of Wight and Dorset each year. We can offer your group accommodation at all budget levels, from low-cost camping & dormitories to luxury resort hotels.
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Isle of Wight - The Island Classroom STEM Trips with Education Destination
Isle of Wight - The Island Classroom STEM Trips with Education Destination
map pin London & South East

Chemistry of Dinosaur Fossils Dinosaur Isle, a purpose-built facility staffed by experienced paleontologists, offers KS2 students an understanding of fossils in their "Clues from the Past" resource...
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group of children learning to use Virtual Reality headsets
VRxtra Kingston
map pin London & South East

Our virtual reality centre delivers an educational experience that textbooks simply cannot match. Within our facilities sporting the latest technology we can deliver a truly immersive virtual experience.
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big school camp equipment
Big School Camp Midlands
map pin East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England

1. Feral Science deliver curriculum Chemistry from Upper KS2 to GCSE outdoors 2. We use bushcraft and a range of outdoor skills to reveal the curriculum chemistry behind everyday things 3. All...
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logo for education destination
Isle of Wight - The Island Classroom with Education Destination
map pin London & South East

Chemistry of Dinosaur Fossils Dinosaur Isle, a purpose-built facility staffed by experienced paleontologists, offers KS2 students an understanding of fossils in their "Clues from the Past" resource...
> read

KS1 school children building a structure during a STEM workshop
STEM Workshops for Any Location
map pin online/in-school workshop

Our Little STEAMers classes and workshops for EYFS cover chemistry topics (e.g. chemical reactions, properties of materials, changes of state) in an age-appropriate way. We cover a wide range of Engineers, Inventors and Innovators in our KS1 & KS2 workshops and assemblies.
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Image for a school workshop for Augmented Reality workshops KS2
Augmented Reality
map pin in-school workshop

Bring learning to life with Augmented Reality experiences that blend the real world with interactive digital content. Students explore science, space, wildlife, history, and STEM through exciting hands-on AR activities that boost engagement
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laptop showing a live science workshop
Fab Science Online
map pin online/in-school workshop

Both the Super Science Show and Professor Fab's potions class include colour-changing potions, fizzy explosion and dry ice.
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school children learning about robotics
Intermediate OR Advanced STEMbotics Robotics & Coding Y4-Y11
map pin in-school workshop

Minecraft encourages children to use and combine various elements to create new materials for building, just like in the real world.
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school group doing an escape room exercise
Science School Escape Rooms
map pin in-school workshop

Primary Schools - We deliver a generic Science Escape with a mix of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Secondary Schools - We deliver a generic Science Escape with a specifically design Chemistry Escape for GCSE years.
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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

We believe in turning tiny hands and curious minds into tomorrow's STEM Heroes - one discovery at a time. Our Little STEAMers classes and workshops for EYFS cover chemistry topics (e.g. chemical...
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big school camp equipment
Big School Camp North
map pin North East, North West, Yorkshire

1. Feral Science deliver curriculum Chemistry from Upper KS2 to GCSE outdoors 2. We use bushcraft and a range of outdoor skills to reveal the curriculum chemistry behind everyday things 3. All...
> read

actor holding a globe during a british science week school workshop
Science Week Spectacular
map pin in-school workshop

Dan Tastic Education uses a wide array of props, historical items, scientific equipment, videos, group discussion and teacher in role style student participation to cover the following topics during a...
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water treatment facility at southern water
New Wave - Beyond the Drain tour - East Sussex
map pin East of England

During the visit we will follow the stages of wastewater treatment: filtration/screening and grit removal to remove large particles, sedimentation allowing tiny particles to settle out from still...
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Souther Water poster for water management workshop
New Wave - Beyond the Drain tour - Hampshire
map pin East of England

During the visit we will follow the stages of wastewater treatment: filtration/screening and grit removal to remove large particles, sedimentation allowing tiny particles to settle out from still...
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Image for a science school trip to Xplore Science Discovery Centre KS2 KS3
Xplore! Science Discovery Centre
map pin Wales

Xplore! currently provides a wide range of dynamic and hands-on chemistry sessions designed to spark curiosity and deepen understanding of fundamental scientific principles. Our chemistry workshops...
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school children watching a rocket during a science forces topic demonstration
Rocket Science and Forces
map pin London & South East

At the Royal Gunpowder Mills, students are introduced to the chemistry of explosives and propellants such as gunpowder, nitroglycerin, and cordite. This sparks curiosity by demonstrating how chemical...
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Chemistry School Trips - Frequently Asked Questions (Teachers Edition)

9 March 2026

Why choose chemistry trips?
It's all about the bangs and bubbles - kids love seeing reactions happen in real life, like mixing acids or making slime, and it makes abstract concepts like elements and bonds tangible. For secondary, it helps with practical skills exams love, without the cleanup in your own lab.

Workshop at school or trip out?
If your lab isn't kitted out or you want something special, workshops bring the gear for safe experiments like elephant toothpaste or chromatography (£180-£450). Trips to science centres give the bigger picture, such as industrial chemistry. We mix it: workshops for Year 7 intro, trips for Year 10 revision.

Free chemistry experiences?
Yes - the Science Museum, London has free chemistry galleries; local universities sometimes run free demo days. Parks for simple reactions like rusting or photosynthesis walks are zero cost. Book ahead for groups.

Top 10 chemistry school trips (2026 check):

1. Science Museum, London (interactive chemistry labs, free)
2. Catalyst Science Discovery Centre, Widnes (chemical industry, reactions)
3. Manchester Museum of Science & Industry (power, energy demos)
4. In-school Potty Potions workshops (fun explosions)
5. Royal Society of Chemistry events (free demos at universities)
6. Jodrell Bank (chemistry in space)
7. Eden Project (plant chemistry, sustainability)
8. Bristol We The Curious (elements, reactions)
9. Glasgow Science Centre (materials, states of matter)
10. Local water treatment plants (real-world chemistry tours)

Chemistry trips for SEND:
Contact venues early - Catalyst has adjustable experiments; Science Museum offers quiet times. For workshops, request no loud bangs. Visual aids work well for non-verbal kids; plan breaks and have familiar staff.

Budget guide:
- Free galleries + bus: £4-£12 per pupil
- Discovery centres: £6-£15 entry
- Workshops: £180-£450 per session
- Multi-day STEM camps: £120-£250 per child

Shop around and check university-run free workshops.


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