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Class outings are very exciting for both the pupils and teachers in primary school. Trips to various sites and museums are met with a sense of wonder and genuine curiosity by young students eager to learn. One of the most fascinating and popular places to visit in the UK is the Bristol Aquarium. The facility is packed with interesting exhibits and the staff are passionate about sharing their knowledge of all living things, above and below the water, with you and your class. Bristol Aquarium The Bristol Aquarium is a nicely sized facility to visit with a class from a primary school. Trips can be accurately tailored to various age groups and the place is not so vast that either the educators or children get overwhelmed. With more than 40 different themed displays the learning opportunities are endless. From seahorses to puffer fish, piranhas, rays and even tropical sharks, the aquarium has an excellent collection of tropical and native UK fish on display. It also boasts a huge botanical house, which is home to a massive number of exotic plants and trees from around the world. Year-Appropriate Curriculum The Bristol Aquarium does a wonderful job of actively conducting curriculum-supported guided tours to make a teacher’s life that bit easier. Each tour has similar features including: • A tailored tour focusing on different themes or subjects • One hour of educational instruction • Engaging the children in interactive workshops during the tour Teachers are also invited to the aquarium prior to bringing the children from their primary school.Trips can then be accurately planned, even down to finding a designated space for the children to have lunch. Year 3: Animals - While Year 3 pupils begin to learn about animals and their needs to sustain life, the Bristol Aquarium offers multiple tours focusing on creatures and their diets - and even provides the opportunity to watch them at feeding time. Year 5: Habitats – Students in Year 5 are encouraged to develop their scientific investigative skills during a visit to the aquarium that introduces an in-depth look at life cycles and their supportive habitats. Children will see baby seahorses, the developmental cycle of the Lesser Spotted Catshark and possibly even tadpoles. Year 6: Evolution – The Bristol Aquarium is well equipped to tackle the topic of evolution with any class. Excursions focusing on this topic will begin with an exploration of rocks and fossils and builds on the understanding that things change over time. Fun and Learning in One Place The Bristol Aquarium is a favourite destination for children of all ages attending primary school. Trips are always exciting, informative and inspirational for the pupils and offer a greater understanding of topics being discussed in the classroom. Visits to the aquarium are best when planned and organised by a specialised educational tour operator. They will manage all the details, from bookings to making sure that there is ample parking for coaches on the day of the visit. The aquarium is a place you might potentially visit numerous times, with various classes and ages from your primary school. Trips to this one location can be entirely different from each other, depending on the subject focus, so that the information remains fresh and engaging. Contact a school travel operator today and begin your class’s journey into the wonders of the natural world. Author Plate John Gardiner is the Managing Director of The School Travel Company, a tour operator specialising in educational travel for school and youth groups. Whether you’re planning primary school trips in the UK, Iceland geography trips or trekking expeditions to India, you can trust both the educational and economic value of their itineraries, whether ready-made or specifically designed to suit the needs of your group.
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