Key Stage 2 School Visits

KEY STAGE 2 SCHOOL VISITS

The Museum is an inspiring setting for learning, offering a range of fun and informative hands-on sessions, and online resources.

School visits are up to two hours long and include a 45-minute session (handling workshop) and a self-guided trail in the Museum. Sessions involve group work, discussion and problem-solving activities based on handling Museum specimens, and are linked to the national curriculum. Please book to arrange your school visit.

British Insects & their Habitats

Drawer of insects including a large moth and several beetles

Years 5 to 6

British Insects and their Habitats Session

In this session, children learn what insects are, how they are essential to our survival, the varied habitats they live in, and how scientists use collections like ours to understand our habitats and ecosystems. Using insects collected in the fictional village of 'Little Piddleton', children are presented with a challenge: can they identify the habitats in Little Piddleton from the insects caught there, and use that information to help fill in a map of the village? The session also explores how different people manage our landscapes and how we all have the power to improve biodiversity.

Sample of insects and their habitats trail

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Years 5 to 6

British Insects and their Habitats Trail

Evolve, Adapt, Survive

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Evolve, Adapt, Survive Session

After exploring how Alfred Russell Wallace and Charles Darwin came up with their solution to the problem of how evolution occurs, we look at the driving forces of natural selection and the fossil history of the evolution of vertebrate life on land. Using a range of specimens from bearded dragons to polar bear feet we investigate how all terrestrial vertebrates evolved from a fishy, four-finned ancestor that crawled onto land some 375 million years ago!

Life in the Undergrowth

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Years 3 to 4

Life in the Undergrowth Session

This session provides the opportunity for children to learn about the arthropods, Earth's largest group of living things. We will explore how different the arthropods are, as well as what ties them all together. In addition, we'll learn about various topics relating to insects (the largest group of arthropods), including insect anatomy, what makes an insect an insect, and how they keep our world alive. You'll also have the opportunity to look at a few of our 5 million specimens, and even handle some of our live insects!

Life in the Undergrowth Trail

Skeleton Crew

A fish skeleton on display in the seminar room

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Years 3 to 6

Skeleton Crew Session

Children learn how all types of animal skeleton share the same functions; support, protection, and movement as they investigate each one in this hands-on session rich with real museum specimens. This session looks at hydrostatic skeletons, the shared skeletons of corals, as well as exo- and endoskeletons (including our own). Pupils will also learn about bone growth, structure, and health.

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Years 3 to 4

Skeleton Crew Trail

This self-guided trail allows students to find their way around the Museum and learn about some of our skeletons.

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Years 5 to 6

Skeleton Crew Trail

From apes to amphibians, humans to herbivores... explore skeletons and their adaptations in this self-guided trail.

Rock stars!

A selection of rocks and minerals housed in the seminar room

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Years 3 to 6

Rock Stars! Session

Investigate the difference between rocks and minerals, and discover how essential they are in our everyday lives. Take a hands-on journey through the rock cycle to explore the three types of rock that make up our planet. Children become geologists, using close observation skills and new knowledge to sort and identify rocks.

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Years 3 to 4

Rock Stars! Trail

Explore the Museum guided some of our best rock specimens – from magnificent meteorites to gorgeous gems!

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Years 5 to 6

Rock Stars! Trail

Learn about some of our incredible rocks, including metamorphic, igneous and sedimentary specimens.

Dinosaur Detectives

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Dinosaur Detectives Session

Through handling real dinosaur bones, fossilised faeces, footprints, eggs, and even dinosaur skin, children learn how scientists use these specimens to build a picture of the world of the dinosaurs and work out what the dinosaurs were like. We'll also discuss some of the mysteries that wait to be uncovered...

Booking Enquiries

Make a booking enquiry

Please click here to begin booking your school visit.

To discuss how to make your visit fit best with your teaching programme, or arrange a pre-visit planning session, please email education@oum.ox.ac.uk or call us on 01865 282451.