Workshop Provider: Explorer Dome

Workshop Themes & Tags: Science, Space, Chemistry, Light, Sound, Forces, Environment, Earth, Human Body, Cells, Water, States of Matter, Bubbles, Science Tricks, STEM, Planets, Stars, Biology, Geography, and Computing

Age Suitability: EYFS, Key Stage 1, Key Stage 2, Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5, Higher Education

Can your workshop be delivered to schools online?: Yes

Delivery Locations by Regions: Bristol, the South West, London

Workshop Summary: 

Explorer Dome is Unique
Hands-On Science

We believe that the best way to learn is by doing – that’s why all of our shows are fully interactive, making Explorer Dome shows 100% presenter-led, hands-on and unforgettable!
“I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.” (Confucius)

Lively, Knowledgeable Presenters

Our brilliant presenters are at the heart of everything we do here at Explorer Dome. When you book a visit from us, you are signing up to receive the best quality science shows from presenters who are experienced, highly trained, passionate and rigorous about the science and, most importantly, fun!

Science for Everyone

Discover a huge range of topics that bring science to life for audiences of all ages, genders, backgrounds and abilities. Inclusive education is at the heart of what we do and we visit schools, colleges, adult education, teacher training, festivals and special events and, as we pitch the show for your group, no two shows are ever the same!

A Brief History

Explorer Dome has been around for over 20 years! From our humble beginnings in 1998, we have come a long way with four domes, chemistry presentations, workshops, a team of specialist presenters and a base in Bristol and now the Midlands.

Explorer Dome reaches 50,000 children and adults every year. Each person coming to our shows has a ~45 minute, immersive experience where new ideas, scientific interests and identity can be explored. We cover hundreds of schools and events across the whole of England, Wales and beyond. Over the years we have visited thousands and places from the Highlands to the Channel Islands, met over 1 million children and enjoyed every moment!

We have a variety of shows that cover aspects of physics, chemistry, biology and environmental sciences. Our shows are truly cross-curricular, designed to support and enhance science learning at all key stages.

Every show is different!

Age, ability, background and interests, whether you are starting a topic or ending it with a 'wow'. We like to pitch the show for your group and bring presenters with ideal skills and knowledge, so when you get in touch, do let us know more about your group.

Our shows in the Dome (25-40 people per show) include:

Space – Light – Sound (KS2 only) – Forces – Environment/Earth – Body/Cells – Water – Winter (Nov/Dec only)

Our Chemistry shows (which don’t use the Dome and can accommodate up to 70 children per show) are: Bubbles – States of Matter – Science Tricks

Additional Information: 

A Guide to the cost of a visit

Our prices depend on where you are, what sort of shows you would like and how many shows you need. Shows in the Dome, Chemistry shows are all priced separately. See our website at http://www.explorerdome.co.uk/explorerdome_prices.html for guide prices but if in doubt, or if you would like a combination of shows, then please just get in touch and quote ‘School Workshop Directory’ or 'SWD'

Booking our Standard Sized Dome

Our Standard Dome accommodates up to 30 (KS1/2) or 25 (KS3/4) students per show and requires a smooth clean floor area of 6m x 7m, a clear ceiling height of 3.5m and access to mains power.

Booking our Large Sized Dome

Our Large Dome accommodates up to 40 (KS1/2) or 30 (KS3/4) students per show and requires a smooth clean floor area of 8m x 9m, a clear ceiling height of 3.5m and access to mains power.

Booking our Chemistry Shows

The Bubble Show, States of Matter and Science Tricks shows don’t use the Dome and are suitable for up to 70 (KS1/2) or 60 (KS3/4) students per show. High ceilings and capability to isolate heat/smoke detectors are a big plus as these shows involve freezing fog, fire, flashes and bangs! The cost again depends on the number of shows you would like to have.

You may wish to have a different combination of shows and/or workshops for your visit so please contact us for more information and a quote to suit your visit.

Bristol and Bath

All schools in Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset will be offered a local discount for any Dome or Chemistry shows. In addition, schools booking Chemistry shows in Bristol, Bath and some parts of Somerset, Gloucestershire, Swindon and Wiltshire may receive support from the Bristol & District branch of the Royal Society of Chemistry. The RSC may fund up to 40% of the cost of your chemistry show visit, however, the allocation of these funds is annual and distributed on a first come first served basis so please get in touch for more information.

South West England & South Wales

A small extra charge may be made for schools further from Bristol (Dorset, Hampshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Swansea, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Devon and Cornwall), but if you are more local then there is no additional charge for travel (Somerset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Monmouthshire, Newport, Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent, Cardiff, Caerphilly, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Vale of Glamorgan, Bridgend & Neath Port Talbot).

Greater London and South East England

New in 2019! We now have a base in London with Explorer Dome South East offering the Space show with no further travel costs for schools in the boroughs of Greater London. Please bear in mind that other shows will be presented by the Bristol team and that there will be an extra charge for travel.

Further afield

We enjoy travelling far and wide from the Highlands of Scotland to the Channel Islands and regularly tour internationally. We’d be delighted to hear from you wherever you are and we can give you a quote for your visit.

Afternoon visits

Reduced rates may be available for afternoon visits if we are already in your area for a morning visit. Please ask for details.

Large schools/events

For events with large numbers of participants we can bring our larger Domes, bring two or more Domes, or stay for more than one day. Please ask for details!

Please quote 'SWD' when you get in touch with us on information@explorerdome.co.uk

Testimonials: 

“Two experienced leaders made the most of the time and knew how best to direct the children's enthusiasm. Plenty of ground covered - from the planets to the nebulae. Memorable.”

—Dragon School, Oxford

”Brilliant. Really brilliant. If I had to think of something I’ve seen that hits all learners - visual, auditory and kinaesthetic - this would be it!”

—Ysgol Gyfun Garth Olwg

”The presenters were wonderful. Their enthusiasm was infectious. They knew exactly how to pitch it and had an excellent awareness of the needs of the children. This was the best science based visit we have had!”

—Inverteign Primary School, Devon