Workshops To find out more or to discuss booking a workshop email us at spherescience@yahoo.co.uk.
Alternatively, click here to complete our online form.
We currently have fourteen different workshops available. Although we specialise in KS1/2 we also have activities available for KS3/4.
All workshops are designed to fit both the National Curriculum for England and Wales and the Scottish Guidelines. All workshops develop investigative skills. Some workshops are concerned with sustainable energy.
Workshops are designed for a class of about 30 children accompanied by the class teacher. There will usually be time for three workshops in a day.
Parents and other adults are welcome to attend any workshop.
Available Workshops The workshops we currently have available are listed below.
Click a link to find out more about a specific workshop or scroll down the page to browse the entire list:
Pricing A full day of workshops will cost £390 (+ VAT) and will normally consist of three sequential workshops, depending on the one selected. The three classes will normally be offered the same workshop however we can accomodate a change of workshop during the day with certain combinations of activity.
Workshop Details
Acrobat Investigation
Acrobats, clowns and other features of a circus are used to stimulate several simple investigations into: forces; balancing; magnetism and the effect of gravity.
Either five adults or responsible Y6 pupils are needed to help supervise all the activities.
Sc1&4 KS1/P1-3
Space: hall or classroom
Time: about 1½ hours |
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Aerial Investigation
Three investigations (into kites, gyrocopters and stomp rockets) that highlight how to create a fair test and different ways of observing results. The focus is not the theory of flight.
Sc1&4 KS2
Space: hall
Time: about 1½ hours |
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Aquatic Investigations
As its name suggests, this workshop involves the pupils investigating how boats move through, in or on the water. The main focus of the workshop is forces - the water enables a number of investigations into small forces that are difficult or impossible on dry surfaces. Either four adults or responsible Y6 pupils are needed to help supervise all the activities.
Sc1&4 KS1/2/P1-6
Space: outdoor area, with access to a tap/hose
Time: about 1½ hours
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Astronomical Investigations
Six different activities to enable pupils to investigate such concepts as: eclipses, the stars, the movement of the planets and phases of the moon. They also get to make and keep their very own planisphere.
Six adults are needed to help supervise all the activities.
Sc1&4
Y5-6/P5-7
Space: hall
Time: about 1½ hours |
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Chemical Changes
The pupils observe a candle burning and, with guidance, deduce the chemistry involved. They are then shown how wax can be remoulded to become translucent. Finally, everyone makes their own multi-coloured candle which covers the topics of colour-mixing.
Sc3 KS1/2/P1-6
Space: classroom or hall with electrical point
Time: about 1¼ hours
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Circuit Investigation
This workshop contains six investigations (in series) into: conductivity; circuit components; making functional circuits. Either six adults or responsible Y6 pupils are needed to help supervise all the activities.
Sc1 & 4
KS1/P1-3
Space: hall
Time: about 1½ hours |
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Citrus Investigations
Having considered the importance of Vitamin C in the diet, the pupils then design a fair test (with guidance) to investigate the amount of Vitamin C in a variety of fruits, using DCPIP solution.
Sc1,2&3 KS2, especially Y5-6/P6-7
Space: classroom with at least one sink
Time: about 1½ hours
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Clockwork investigation
A discussion of the energy changes making a clockwork machine work is followed by a practical activity. In this, the pupils use junior hacksaws to make simple wind-up toys (called Bandrollers) and then investigate the factors affecting how these toys work.
Click on the picture to see a video of Bandrollers in action!
Sc1&4 and DT KS2/P4-7
Space: hall or classroom
Time: about 1¼ hours |
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Forces At Play
This workshop contains six small activities concerning toys. The pupils investigate a variety of toys to consider and understand the energy and forces involved in making them work. They also have chance to design simple fair tests.
Either six adults or responsible Y6 pupils are needed to help supervise all the activities.
Sc1 & 4
KS1/P1-3
Space: hall
Time: about 1¼ hours |
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Recycling
A general discussion about the three Rs (reducing, re-using, recycling) is followed by a practical activity where pupils recycle old sugar paper to produce small sheets of new paper.
Sc1&4 KS2/P4-7
Space: classroom with sink
Time: about 1½ hours
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Self-Righting Oil Rigs
Pupils are challenged to design a model oil rig that will float and self-right in rough weather. The rigs are tested in a paddling pool.
Sc1&4 and DT KS3/4, Y9+/S3+
Space: hall or large classroom
Time about 2 hours
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Using Energy from the Sun
This workshop starts with a discussion about the various types of sustainable technologies. The pupils then have an opportunity to investigate photovoltaic cells: how the amount of electricity the cells produce from light changes when different factors are varied; the use of different components in circuits; and different numbers of cells.
Sc1&4 and DT KS2, especially Y4-6/P5-7
Space: classroom and outdoors (weather permitting). Lamps will be used in bad weather.
Time: about 1½ hours
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Using Energy From the Wind
This workshop starts with a discussion about the various types of sustainable technologies. Pupils are then challenged to design a wind turbine and investigate one variable to make it more efficient. The wind turbines will be tested using electric fans.
Sc1&4 and DT KS2-4, Y5+/P6+
Space: hall or large classroom (with electrical points)
Time: about 1½ hours
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Buggies Investigations
This
workshop gives children the opportunity to use the force from
the release of air in a balloon to power a small car made
from wood and plastic (which the children keep). They develop
their own fair tests to investigate the impact of different
variables on how well the buggy works.

Sc1&4 and DT KS2/P4-7
Space: hall or classroom
Time: about 1½ hours |
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Equipment and Materials
The provision of each workshop includes all equipment and materials.
Many of our resources are supplied by the Technology Shop at Ivydale Science & Technology Service who are also happy to supply directly to schools. They are based at:
Ivydale School
Ivydale Road
Nunhead
London
SE15 3BU
Tel: 0207 639 3316
Fax: 0207 635 8218
www.slstc.southwarklea.org.uk
Email: mailto:techshop@ivydale.southwar.sch.uk
Doodletops (a very popular part of the Acrobat Investigations workshop) are available from doodling.info who can be contacted via their website: www.doodling.info.
Email: mailto:office@doodling.info
Safety
Safety in the workshops has been discussed with CLEAPSS. The materials and equipment are quite safe when used as instructed. Risk assessments are available for all activities. The class teacher should always be present and is ultimately responsible for discipline.
Social Inclusion Sphere Science operates a policy of social inclusion; please tell us of any specific needs before the workshops take place.
To find out more or to discuss booking a workshop either email us at spherescience@yahoo.co.uk. Alternatively, click here to complete our online form.
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