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Beyond the Classroom

 Students participating in interactive STEAM workshop at Chessington

Observe Science in Action

Science • Habitats • Adaptation

Explore how scientific principles shape both natural and designed environments, from animal habitats to theme park rides.

  • Observe adaptation and behaviour in living species 
  • Explore how habitats support survival 
  • Investigate forces and motion on rides 
  • Consider how science shapes environments and experiences 
  • Inspire curiosity about the world around them 

Real-world impact = Students observe how scientific principles influence both living organisms and designed environments, helping them understand how science shapes the world around them

Why choose this as a trip?

  • Strong Science curriculum links across KS1-KS4
  • Brings habitats, adaptation and ecosystems to life through direct observation
  • Connects biological and physical science in real-world environments
  • Encourages scientific enquiry, observation and critical thinking
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A "Big Question" Trip Guide

How do living things and human-made systems solve challenges in their environment?

Use the prompts below to help pupils gather evidence throughout their visit.

What to Observe What might this tell us?
Animals with specialised features such as camouflage, speed or strength How living things adapt to survive challenges in their environment
Different habitats and ecosystems How environments influence the way living things behave and survive
Predator and prey relationships How species depend on one another within larger systems
Ride structures and engineering How humans design solutions to overcome physical challenges
Transport systems, queuing systems and attraction operations How human-made systems help large numbers of people move safely and efficiently
Safety features and ride restraints How engineers identify and solve problems
Animal care and conservation programmes How humans develop systems to protect species and habitats

End-of-Visit Reflection: Ask pupils to categorise their observations into four themes:

Theme Evidence from Chessington
Adaptation How did living things solve challenges?
Habitat How did environments influence behaviour and survival?
Design How did humans create solutions to challenges?
Systems How did different parts work together to achieve a goal?

Discuss: Who Solves Problems Better: Nature or Humans?

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