A member of our team stays with the ScienceWorks all day, sets them up, runs sessions if required, answers questions and packs them away.
There are six sets of ScienceWorks that can be chosen to fit with a science topic or simply as an exciting activity. Each set comprises 12 interactive exhibits that help to demonstrate an aspect of the topic.
Who are they for?
ScienceWorks are perfect for school science weeks, topic launches, open days, activity centres, libraries, science fairs etc. Because of the interactive nature of the activities, they appeal to all abilities and ages, including adults, but they are designed with primary schools in mind to fit into the curriculum.
-A large room: gym, classroom, library or hall.
-At least two to three plug sockets (depending on the set). We will bring PAT tested extensions leads but if these are not allowed, you may need more sockets. Please enquire if this is the case.
-Wheelchair-type ramped access from the parking space to the venue. If this is not possible, please contact us to discuss this.
-Twelve standard sized tables
Requirements: Access
At the time of booking we must know if there are any parking issues and if the exhibits will be required on an upper level in your building.
We need to unload / load our van as close as possible to the venue.
Assistance will be required with unloading trolleys of exhibits from the van at the beginning of the day and loading again at end of day.
The exhibits are stacked on trollies which require ramped access from parking area to the exhibition area.
Our staff cannot move large items or clear the venue space when they arrive on site. At end of the visit we will ensure the space is left as found.
Ideally one hour is recommended for each group but definitely a minimum of half an hour. Half an hour is usually ample for YrR.
Longer than one hour can be accommodated – please enquire.
The shape of the sessions can be adapted to fit your requirements. Often it works quite well if the children are split into 12 groups and have about 3 min on each activity, with adults accompanying any groups that might need a bit of extra supervision. Our staff member will do a short introduction at the beginning of each session. Subject to your timetable, we can also offer a question and answer session. Some teachers like to incorporate this at the end, some like it in the middle and a few choose to leave it out, in order to maximize the time the children have exploring the activities.
Occasionally, a teacher allows their group free flow around the activities. This tends to work best for YrR, (if there are plenty of adults), or for groups where there are absolutely no behaviour issues. Our member of staff will be happy to fit in with what each group decides but it is definitely best if the adults have thought about it and made a decision in advance. Ideally, you would inform us of your requirements in advance but we will always be flexible and respond to needs on the day.
Behaviour management remains the responsibility of the school staff at all times.
Question sheets Optional question sheets aimed at KS1 and KS2 are available for all sets and you are welcome to adapt these as you wish to support your pupils. Your groups will probably need one hour sessions if you wish to use these.
Teacher notes In-depth notes on the science behind the activities can be provided for all sets. Some school staff find it gives them more confidence to read through these, whilst others prefer to leave the science to our staff. The comprehensive notes are simply there in case you wish to make use of them.
SEND Requirements You can use the teacher notes, question sheets or any of our other documents to create support for any of your pupils. Feel free to make large print versions, devise alternative questions, use alternative writing systems, make prompts for TAs etc.
One day hire: a member of our team will attend to set up and pack down the exhibits and to help encourage children's investigations and scientific language. Q&A sessions can be included subject to your timetable.
Please speak to us about hiring the exhibits for more than one day, with / without an attendent member of staff.
Booking: When we agree a date with you, we will make a provisional booking.
If another client requests the same day, we will give you 14 days to confirm and pay before releasing the date.
When you have confirmed details, you will be emailed an invoice.
The booking is confirmed when we receive payment (by BACS, card or cheque).
To check costs, availability, make a booking, or just to ask further questions please contact us.
Payment: When all booking details have been confirmed you will be emailed an invoice. The booking is confirmed when we receive payment (by BACS, card or cheque)
BACS: Please use our Invoice Number
HSBC Account 0231 4916 Sort Code 40 -03 -21
Cheque payee: Science Projects Ltd
Cancellations: If you need to cancel, this must be received by us in writing no later than 28 days prior to the visit. We cannot give refunds for cancellations received within 28 days of the visit unless we decide there are exceptional circumstances
Cancellations more than 28 days prior to the date of our visit will not be charged.
In exceptional circumstances, we reserve the right to cancel on the day for reasons related to the venue. If this happens, we will be unable to offer a refund.
Reasons for this might be:
If we have to cancel on the day due to vehicle breakdown we will contact you as soon as possible. A full refund will be given if we are unable to reschedule.
If we are unable to attend due to sustained severe weather we will contact you ahead of the visit day to identify alternative dates.
If your school is closed due to severe weather you MUST contact us.
One day hire: with an accompanying member of staff. The programme will be agreed at the time of booking, including start / finish time.
Two day+ hire: we aim to deliver on the weekday before your booking begins and collect at the end of the last day (or during the next weekday). It may not be possible to specify exact times. Our member of staff will not remain at the school: you set up / pack down the exhibits.
We aim to always provide an experience which meets expectations.
All feedback is important so please help us monitor and improve our educational programme
An evaluation form will be given to the group leader on the day of our visit and can also be downloaded from this site at any time.
Please help us to help you by giving us your evaluation comments.
Can I hire them for something else?
ScienceWorks are suitable for all kinds of events and activities. Please contact us if you would like to know more about how we might help you... weekly hire options available.
What else can you provide?
Depending on your venue and topic, we may be able to provide assemblies or workshops to compliment your visit. You may also be interested in our mobile planetarium which would normally visit separately from ScienceWorks.
This won't take long...
Your enquiry has been sent and we will respond as soon as possible using the details you have provided
Please note we all work part-time .. if your enquiry is urgent you are welcome to call us
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The Observatory Science Centre is part of Science Projects Ltd, a company limited by guarantee registered in England No: 02186073 and a registered charity No: 298542. The registered office is Unit 1 Warren Farm, Steventon, Basingstoke, Hampshire UK, RG25 3BL.
