The Colour of Nature

Why and how are there so many colours in the natural world? The Colour of Nature is a new practical workshop developed to tie in with biology and physics Key Stage 3 content. Students are encouraged to consider colour – what it is, the different ways it is produced and how it is used as an adaptation in the natural world. They can get hands-on with an amazing array of Museum specimens and explore colour with spectrometers before being challenged to come up with exciting ‘real world’ applications for what they’ve learnt.

26 April, 17 May, 28 June and 12 July

To book in your school group contact our Bookings Office on 020 7942 5555.

Animal Inside Out

Bring your students to the Museum to experience Animal Inside Out, an anatomical safari of the natural world. Developed by Gunther von Hagens, it features nearly 100 plastinated animals and capillary specimens. The exhibition allows pupils to see a range of organ systems for themselves and enriches teaching about life processes, with an accompanying trail produced with advice from the Royal Veterinary College.

Due to the sensitive nature of the content, we recommend you visit the exhibition before bringing pupils. Tickets cost £3 per pupil, with free entry for adult helpers.

More information

Big Nature Day

More than 50 national nature groups will be joining Museum scientists on Sunday 27 May, 11.00–17.00, to celebrate UK wildlife and the value of nature in our lives.

Come and find out how to explore your local environment and take part in pond and beetle surveys. Thousands of school children have already added their findings to these nationwide nature surveys run by OPAL – the Open Air Laboratory network. Other free activities include making bird boxes, worm charming and examining bat poo under the microscope, plus, take part in our fantastic carnival procession through the Museum.

Big Nature Day details

Fossil Festival

The Museum will be on tour in Dorset again this year for the Lyme Regis Fossil Festival. Come and visit our marquee
on the beach to see the latest science research on location
at the Jurassic Coast.

We will be hosting school groups on Friday 4 May and the event is open to families on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 May, 10.00–17.00.

Fossil Festival information

Summer for schools

We have a wealth of activities
to keep classes engaged and stimulated this summer. Whether it’s exploring our Wildlife Garden or learning about the diversity of life on Earth in the Variety Show and through the interactive film Who Do You Really Think You Are? – we’ve got inspirational education covered.

Wildlife Garden activities

Dinosaurs in the summer term

Does your Key Stage 2 class want to visit some dinosaurs?

Students can find out how palaeontologists study specimens and perform their own fossil dig in Dino Scene Investigation. Or they can take part in the self-guided Dino-Scientists, using their scientific skills to uncover the diet and habitat of ancient animals and unearth which giant fossil skeletons belong to dinosaurs.

Investigate Dinosaurs