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Key Stages Three and Four - A Focus on Real Life Science

For more information or to book any of the sessions below, please contact Alexa Jeanes on 0161 3061764

 

The Body Experience: GCSE Study Day: KS4

In this exclusive study day, 3rd Year undergraduate students from the University of Manchester will facilitate hands-on, interactive workshops focussing on exploring different aspects of the human body, relevant to the GCSE syllabus. Students will rotate around the different activities in a carousel fashion to make a fast-paced, engaging and interesting experience. Topics covered during the day include eyes, ears and senses, the gut and digestion, germs and bacteria and the immune system. This study day would make an excellent National Science and Engineering Week activity!

Free of charge, Full day, 10am - 2:30pm  Friday 9th March 2012

 

Planet Dinosaur: KS3

Give your students the opportunity become a palaeontologist to investigate real fossils and interpret the evidence provided.  This workshop will enable your students to get hands on with the fantastic objects from our collection and find out more about the research work that palaeontologists do within the university.

Session length: 1 hour, Cost: £50,  Max 30 students

 

Diversity of Life: KS3

The natural world is full of a huge variety of living things, all shapes and sizes from the weird to the wonderful.  In this interactive workshop, your students will explore the diversity of life on earth and investigate what threatens it.  Covering topics such as adaptation, variation and classification, this workshop provides students with the opportunity to examine and get hands-on with real museum specimens.

Session Length: 2 hours, Cost: £75, Max. 30 students

 

Forensic Science: A Bog Body Mystery: KS3/4

This hands-on practical gives students a chance to become a forensic scientist whilst getting an insight into the real life applications of DNA analysis and archaeologists in solving crimes.  Students will use the available clues to piece together the evidence and solve the mystery.

To watch the Forensic Science sesion in action check out our video

Session Length: 3 hours, Cost: £100, Max. 20 students

 

Nature's Palette: KS3/4

By getting up close to the museum’s collection, this workshop will give your students the opportunity to explore the world of colours and pigments.  They will understand the physics behind colour, explore its role in the lives of animals and humans and carry out an experiment investigating different photosynthetic pigments.  This action packed, interactive workshop is not to be missed.

Session Length: 3 hours, Cost: £100, Max. 20 students

Dates available: 12th to 16th December 2011, 9th to 20th January 2012, 19th to 30th March 2012, 2nd to 20th July 2012

 

Examining Environments: Supporting Controlled Assessments: KS4  

In the workshop, students become groups of research scientists carrying out their own independent research project.  Using the museums fantastic collection, this workshop enables students to practice their scientific skills, providing them with an engaging and memorable experience which can be drawn on in the future for their controlled assessments.  This workshop is available in a full day or half day format.

Session Length: 3 or 5 hours, Cost: £100 or £150, Max. 20 students

 

Evolution Revolution: KS4

By getting in up close to  the Museum's stunning collection, students will discover more about what drives the process of evolution including natural selection and appreciate how this process has led to the diversity of life on earth. Through hands-on activities, students will find out more about the controversy surrounding the evolution debate and explore the challenges and pitfalls of Darwins argument.  Students will also consider the views of contemporary scientists and society following the publication of Darwin's work

Available from January 2012

Session Length: 2 hours, Cost: £75, Max. 30 students

 

 

Cross Curricular

 

Enrichment Day: KS3

Our enrichment day offers your students the opportunity to have fun in the Museum!  It aims to increase their curiosity in the world around them, and enliven their enthusiasm for learning.  The workshops have been designed to support the Personal, Learning and Thinking skills framework.  Workshops currently on offer are:

The workshop offer will be extended throughout the year creating a flexible menu of workshops for you to choose from.

Full day (10am to 2:30pm), Maximum of 60 KS3 students, Cost: £225


Natural Connections: KS3/4

How do people experience the natural world? Could our use of natural resources lead to a disaster?  Is it right that humans dominate the earth? How do we connect to the variety of life? Using our Living Worlds gallery encourage your students to reflect on these questions and many more.  Covering elements of the Science, English and Citizenship curricula, students will work together to contribute their thoughts on a range of issues.

Session Length: 2 hours, Cost: £75, Max. 30 students

 

Open Door, Explore! Self programmed Wednesdays

Come and visit the museums on self programmed Wednesdays and discover the Museum from a whole new perspective. We will offer a menu of possible ways to interpret and use the galleries independently and it’s up to you to chose your desired experience or create your own journey.  Visit more than one and see how many routes you can explore the museum. Booking essential.

To book your group into our 'Open Door, Explore' experience please call 0161 2752630

 

Resources

Clippy Island: An Investigation into Natural Selection

This fun interactive workshop investigates the process of natural selection is suitable for both key stage 3 and 4. 

It was developed as part of our Darwin Extravaganza by a team of scientists, curators and educators from The University of Manchester and The Manchester Museum. 

Download the resource pack , student worksheet and teacher guidance  to run this session in your classroom.

Museum of Mystery

The Museum of Mystery is a brand new interactive web resource is aimed at students aged 7-16 (and their teachers and parents) that has been developed by Manchester Museum. It accompanies our new Living Worlds gallery and focuses on some of the themes that are found within the gallery. 

The website uses the museum’s collection and expertise from our staff as a source of information for solving tasks and completing mysteries.   The activities support many aspects of the science national curriculum for KS2, 3 and 4.  The Museum of Mystery encourages students to build a case file, using the evidence provided to broaden their awareness and interest in the natural world.

Log in and find out more at www.museumofmystery.org.uk

Do get in touch if you have any questions about the Museum of Mystery or would like any advice on how to use it with your class.

 

 

Science and the Environment

A boy in a practical science session working with an object on the table
A real life mummification practical (using fruit!) gives pupils a chance for hands on learning that links to historic artefacts within our collections.