VISIT PRACTICALITIES

This page describes the general format of a visit and what we would like you to do to prepare for our visit.

Timings and visit structure

For morning visits we will aim to arrive at 9.45am. This will be divided into 3 activity sessions: 10-10.30am, 10.30-11am and 11-11.30am. For afternoon visits we will aim to arrive at 1.15pm. This will be divided into 3 activity sessions: 1.30-2pm, 2-2.30pm and 2.30-3pm. If your school day usually ends before 3pm it is suggested that parents/guardians be advised in advance of a slightly later finish if you have booked an afternoon visit.

The 3 activities are as follows:

The Truck:

The Truck contains a variety of geological exhibits, related to Earth Sciences. The activity session starts by exploring the geological timescale. This is scaled to fit on a 12-hour clock face. After this, the group moves around the truck, looking at a number of interactive models. Amongst many others, these include "Drowning Britain", and exhibit about climate change, and the ever-popular erupting volcano.

Classroom 1:

All about rocks A hands-on session where the children will find out about different rocks and minerals, and learn how to describe and classify them.

Classroom 2:

All about fossils During this session the children will watch a short film explaining some of theconcepts of geological time and the process of fossilisation. Following this, there are hands-on activities with fossils, including some dinosaur specimens.

Maximum Numbers

The maximum number of children our visit can cater for is 36. Previous years have shown that for the children to gain the most from our visits the groups are best kept to a small size. Experience has found that a group of 10 children is the perfect number, and that group size should never exceed 12. For this reason we ask that, prior to our arrival, the class is split into 3 groups (of no more than 12) so that we can start the activities as soon as we arrive. This is important, to maximise the time available for the children to participate in the activities. To make the sessions work more effectively we ask that each child have a name badge/sticker on for the time we are at your school. We have found in previous years that being able to use the child’s name is invaluable when it comes to engaging the children.

Child protection

To ensure that the children are safe (and that we are safe from them!) we are asking schools to provide 2 adults per group (6 in total) ensure that each group is accompanied by 2 entrusted adults. Please make sure that they are fully informed of the nature of our visit.

Resources required from you

To facilitate our visit we require the following equipment:

• Two separate indoor areas with tables and chairs
• A television and video for the fossil activity
• Two adults to supervise each of the three groups
• Parking and access for a 7.5 tonne truck
• I am sure that a cup of tea (or squash) and a biscuit for the starving student volunteers would also be greatly appreciated!