Educational visits

Energy Choices
One of our most popular and fun days - packed with short, hands-on activities based on the topical issues of energy saving and renewable energy. Students learn about a wide range of
energy sources, see solar power in action (whatever the weather!) and pick up tips on how to ‘do their bit’ for the environment at home and school.

Every class I have brought to the Eco Centre have declared it the ‘best trip yet’! All the children are always fully involved and focussed and we really enjoy every visit. Many thanks – again! Caroline Fraser, Marshside Primary School.

Renewable Energy
This day brings together the interactive renewable energy activities from ‘Energy Choices’ day and an engrossing ICT activity where students demonstrate their knowledge of the pros and cons of renewable and non-renewable energy sources. A CD of completed work will be forwarded to school soon after your visit.

We have had an excellent day – we cannot praise the Eco Centre too much. A fantastic learning experience for pupils and staff. Gwenda Newton, Bury Grammar School for Girls (Junior Department). (Comment from ‘pilot’ day for this menu.)

The Water Cycle and Water Conservation
Students learn how the water cycle works using exciting resources including a working model before making their own multimedia presentation. They are shown how wasteful we can be with water, taught strategies for water conservation and encouraged to spread the message of how to be water wise! A CD of completed work will be forwarded to school soon after your visit.

Absolutely fantastic – children were engaged, focussed and active learners! Very impressed with differentiation – all abilities able to be involved. Beth McCoy, St. John’s C.E. Primary School. (Comment from ‘pilot’ day for this menu.)

What’s In The (Environmental) News?
One of our most popular days and different every time depending on what’s happening in the world! Ideal if you are working on report writing back at school. Children act as journalists for the day, making their own ‘TV’ news report on a topical environmental issue. A CD of completed work will be forwarded to school soon after your visit.

We had a wonderful day. It was extremely organised and all the children felt they had achieved well at the end of it. Many thanks! Mrs. Healy, Churchtown Primary School.

Climate Change
(major changes to the previous programme of the same name) Students learn the basics of climate change in the perfect setting of the Eco Centre. Using our resources to support them they consider what they can do to reduce their environmental footprint. The day culminates in producing a video of the causes and effects of climate change and what we can all do to play our part. A CD of
completed work will be forwarded to school soon after your visit.

A great day. Children and staff enjoyed themselves. Very informative. Good resources and structure to the day. Good, interesting delivery. Mrs. Hughes, Litherland Moss Primary School. (Comment from ‘pilot’ day for this menu.)

Transport Alternatives
This educational visit sees students considering the environmental impacts of different transport choices and their journey to and from school. With this in mind they compile an ICT “movie”
presentation specific to the traffic issues around your school, ideal for using to identify or reinforce the problems to solve (which can play an important role in School Travel Plan work). A CD of
completed work will be forwarded to school soon after your visit.

PLEASE NOTE: Photographs are required to be supplied to the Eco Centre ahead of this visit, to personalise the work to your school.

With emphasis on embedding ICT across the curriculum the ‘state of the art’ facilities and equipment are fantastic – motivating for the pupils and allowing for very visual learning – a great experience – thanks. Julie Hassan, St. Oswald’s School (Ashton-in-Makerfield).

School Travel Plan
If your school is working towards a School Travel Plan, or if yours is adopted, we build from the day above. Students’ presentations can work as a celebration of your successes as well! It may be possible to get in-school support when preparing for and following up on this day (please contact the Eco Centre for more details).

PLEASE NOTE: Photographs are required to be supplied to the Eco Centre
ahead of this visit, to personalise the work to your school.

We have had a superb day – the children have produced some fantastic films and these will be very useful in promoting and supporting our travel plan. A big thank-you for a great day. Jane Smith, Health & Well-being Co-ordinator, St. Luke’s C.E. Primary School. (Comment from ‘pilot’ day for this menu).

Coastal Management
Groups spend a stimulating morning at Ainsdale beach/dunes on a guided tour with a Ranger from Sefton Coast and Countryside Service. They learn about wildlife, what a Ranger does and how the coast is used. At the Eco Centre they use the notes they have made to turn what they have learned into an educational, interactive storyboard. A CD of completed work will be forwarded to school
soon after your visit.

PLEASE NOTE: This day requires groups to have to have their own transport which can stay with them for the day. Students are required to do a short written exercise in advance. A risk assessment for beach/dune work is available from the Sefton Coast and Countryside Service.

Children really enjoyed making storyboards and taking part in the quiz. They both tested their knowledge from the morning’s activities at Ainsdale Discovery Centre. Ian Hutchinson, Aintree Davenhill Primary School.

Habitats
A morning in the fresh air, perfect for students studying QCA Science 4B. The first part of this day is spent with wardens at the National Trust in Formby, exploring the dunes, beach and woodlands while completing a short written activity. At the Eco Centre they then turn what they have learned into an impressive audio-visual presentation. A CD of completed work will be forwarded to school soon after your visit.

PLEASE NOTE: This day requires groups to have to have their own transport which can stay with them for the day. A risk assessment for beach/dune/woodland work is available from the National Trust.

Eco-School
Ideal for schools who are working towards Eco-School status, striving for the next award level or even celebrating achieving their Green Flag! A collection of thought-provoking, interactive activities based on a number of the Eco-Schools key themes including energy, waste, water and transport.

The visit to the Eco Centre was exactly what we wanted to help the school council understand how and why we should aim to reduce energy waste and recycle more. We came away with lots of ideas for projects we can work on to make our school more ‘environmentally friendly’.
A really worthwhile trip! Thanks! Anita McDonnell, St. Gregory’s Catholic Primary School, Lydiate. (Comment from ‘pilot’ day for this menu.)

Eco Taster
A perfect day for those wanting to inspire or treat an Eco Club or Committee! Students take part in a range of our most fun, popular, interactive activities from a range of environmental topics. As with all days, this can be tailored to suit your needs. The length of this session is easily adaptable, so perfect if you can’t make a whole day visit or would like to also see Southport, the Pier etc.

A fantastic opportunity for children to gain appreciation and respect for the world in which they live. Mr. Hewer, Green Park Primary School. (Comment from ‘pilot’ day for this menu.)

Earth, Sun and Moon
A new and exciting way to cover this unit – especially suitable as a motivational introduction to QCA Science 5E. Students learn the key facts of this topic and are introduced to how we can harness the sun’s energy through a solar power investigation. Later they are whisked away on a breathtaking
journey to space in a giant inflatable planetarium, reinforcing their newly-learned knowledge.

PLEASE NOTE: The maximum group size for this day is 30. Early booking is essential.

An excellent day! Real sensitivity and understanding of the children’s needs. Exciting activities and a very thought-provoking visit! Thank you! Tracey Goodwin, Presfield School. (Comment from ‘pilot’ day for this menu.)

School Council Seminar
This event allows representatives from a number of school councils to share ideas in an inventive way. Students make an exciting TV-style case study using their own photos to show their
achievements and plans for the future. They present their work school by school, taking note of ideas which they can take back to try out themselves, before considering how to promote their hard work more widely.

This event is ideal for a cluster of schools looking for a joint venture, although we occasionally run the event on an open invitation basis across Sefton.