North-east science centre achieves recognition for education programmes
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Aberdeen Science Centre has achieved a quality badge for its education programmes and schools engagement.
The Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) Quality Badge is the only nationally recognised indicator of rich educational provision and effective risk management for all types of learning outside the classroom.
Achieving the badge shows the recipient understands schools’ needs and can tailor its offer to fit in with current curriculum requirements, as well as specific requests from the school.
Aberdeen Science Centre, which also achieved five-star visitor attraction status from VisitScotland, successfully met a series of quality indicators and assessments.
The LOtC Quality Badge is endorsed by the Department of Education and schools are encouraged to choose a badge holder when booking trips and activities for pupils.
Fiona Dobie, schools engagement co-ordinator at Aberdeen Science Centre, said: “We are proud to have achieved the LOtC quality badge, which gives schools confidence that we understand their needs and provide educational experiences which are aligned with the Curriculum for Excellence as well as being relevant for school projects or specific lessons.
“Using a LOtC Quality Badge holder reduces a school’s paperwork and makes taking their pupils off-site easier. Taking students to a different location such as the science centre can really enhance their educational experience and we offer workshops and more than 60 hands-on exhibits to bring their learning to life.”
Aberdeen Science Centre works with schools across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, the Highlands and Islands and as far south as Edinburgh.
Its educational activities are based on learning outcomes which focus on five aspects of learning: knowledge and understanding; skills; attitudes and values; enjoyment, inspiration and creativity; activity, behaviour and progression.
The centre works with Aberdeen City Council and the Scottish Government to provide discounted admission and subsidised transport for pupils at schools in the most underserved areas of the city, who may not otherwise be able to visit.
Pupils in rural and deprived parts of Aberdeenshire and Moray have also been able to access tickets following a successful funding bid to the Edina Trust, whose principle charitable purpose is to support primary science education.
In partnership with the Science Skills Academy, the team at Aberdeen Science Centre also delivers Learning Lab, a project funded by skills body OPITO which uses content developed by Glasgow Science Centre.
Teachers are supported to deliver science in the classroom and help pupils investigate renewable technologies and the pathway to net zero. The aim is to help them discover opportunities in the energy sector and encourage them to explore how their skills could change the world.
Aberdeen Science Centre is also growing its community outreach programme who work with families and communities to bring science to groups who may not be able access the centre in the traditional way.
All visitors can explore the centre’s exhibits, which are aimed at all ages and are themed into six zones: Energy; Space; Life Sciences; Make It, Test It; and a special area for the under-6s.
Fun activities include The OPITO Theatre of Energy – the UK’s first immersive experience of its kind - and RoboThespian, an interactive humanoid robot sponsored by the centre’s Digital Futures Partner, Equinor.
They support ASC’s commitment to inspire a lifelong interest in science, by creating engaging experiences which are fun, informative and educational.
Aberdeen Science Centre’s £4.7 million redevelopment was made possible by generous support and funding from the Inspiring Science Fund – a partnership between the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and Wellcome - with additional funding provided by Opportunity North East (ONE) and Aberdeen City Council.
The project secured a further £1.5 million from funders and sponsors including OPITO, Shell, Equinor, bp, The Robertson Trust, TAQA and CNOOC International to deliver quality exhibits and programmes to enhance the overall visitor experience at the venue, as well through outreach work.
