About the Session 

Explore how technology has changed through time and learn more about key inventions such as microscopes, telescopes, globes and calculators. The Museum has many other intriguing inventions such as pre-film animation devices, papier-mâché human anatomical models and glass fungi. What will your students discover?

here are many different types of volcanoes. Shield volcanoes have a broad rounded shape and gentle splattery eruptions often described as fire fountains. Strato volcanoes are sharp and steep sided and have violent explosive eruptions. But what makes these two types of volcano look and erupt so differently? It is mainly controlled by how think (viscous) or runny the magma in the volcano is...

In this experiment you can use 3 different thickness (viscosity) liquids to see what differences runny or thick magma can cause in volcanoes.

Volcanic eruptions are driven by gas dissolved in molten rock (magma) underground trying to escape upwards. But what happens if the gas gets trapped and can't get out?

In this experiment you can trap more and more gas in a sealed container, in the same way gas can get trapped in a volcano, and see what happens...

Download the instructions and information sheet.

Volcanoes form when hot molten rock (magma) under the ground erupts at the surface, but what causes the molten rock to erupt? Eruptions are often driven by gases escaping…

In this experiment you can start a chemical reaction that creates a gas, and see how the gas escaping drives an eruption.

This experiment and video was devised by the Volcano Seismology group in the Earth Science Department, University of Cambridge.

Download the instructions and information sheet.

We offer facilitated workshops and self-led visits. There is no charge for our school sessions, but we welcome donations to support the Museum learning programme (recommended donation of £2 per child). Get in touch with the Museum Education Coordinator to discus your visit museumeducation@esc.cam.ac.uk

Museum Trails

If you are visiting the Museum with young children, why not download our Rainbow of Colour trail to print out and bring with you? It will keep the children entertained as they look for all the colourful specimens in the Museum, and they can even use it in the garden or any outdoor space too.

• rainbow_of_colour_trail_.pdf (1.35 MB)

All bookings are subject to change in accordance with government guidance.

There is no charge for our standard school sessions, but donations are welcomed to support the Museum learning programme (recommended donation of £3 per child).

If you are a UK based school wishing to visit the Museum with your class, please use the booking form to make a request. Please note that the Museum is closed on Mondays. We advise submitting a request at least 2 weeks in advance to avoid disappointment and allow time to receive a confirmation.

See booking form for details of visit types, groups numbers and costs.

If you are interested in an outreach visit to your school please get in touch via the email or phone number below.

Bookings for summer term 2022 open after October half term 2021.

Please email education@botanic.cam.ac.uk to check availability or call us on 01223 331875 to leave a message.

Please use the appropriate booking form below for your organisation:

Early Years

Resources for Early Years pupils to aid exploration of the natural world

Key Stage 1

Resources suitable for pupils in Year 1 and Year 2

Home school challenges

• Expedition Diary
• Make a Narwhal 
• Expedition Reporter
• Polar Packing 
• Expedition Music