Visiting Esplora for the first time with your class?
We work very hard to make sure that school visits run smoothly and are a great experience for everyone, including you.
Here’s a guide for what to expect during your school visit, and if you have any questions please contact us.
We plan your visit in detail
With up to ten schools visiting Esplora at the same time, we try to make sure that each school has a great experience by creating a detailed schedule for each school group.
This ensures that areas are reserved for your group, and you won’t be crowded by another group trying to enter the same space. However it does mean that you need to follow the schedule, and we may not be able to make last-minute changes on busy days, if for example you are late due to transport problems.
We plan your students' breaks too
Any visit over 90 minutes includes a break so that your students can eat their packed lunch and let off some steam.
Break times are usually outside, however when it’s too hot, cold, rainy or windy, we will find an indoor space for you – this usually won’t have seating though.
The two outdoor playgrounds are popular for breaks, however we schedule them according to the overall bookings, and it may not be possible for your school to use them. If you want your students to visit one of the playgrounds (one for Kinder to Year 2, one for Year 3 upwards) then please let us know when you make your booking!
We make sure you get where you're going
Your school group will be assigned an Explainer who will facilitate your visit. The Explainer is on hand to answer questions about the exhibits and give suggestions for how to engage with them, but will also help you to follow your assigned schedule, and get you to each area on time.
You're responsible for your students
Your Explainer is your partner in making this a great experience for your students, and will help if there’s a problem (like if a student needs first aid) but an Explainer cannot supervise your students for you. Please bring enough chaperones to make sure that your students are always supervised, and discipline is always up to you.
You set the tone of the visit!
As a teacher, you can choose to stand back and let students bounce excitedly between exhibits, or you can proactively engage them in stopping to explore and to think about what they’re seeing. It’s hard work, but the results will be worth it! Your Explainer will be happy to partner with you in this.
We want to support you
Sign up for one of our teacher tours so that you can visit Esplora (free of charge!) and go on a guided tour of our main exhibits. We’ll answer all your questions and help you to be prepared for when you come back with your students.
We are inclusive
We believe that science should be accessible to everyone, of all ages and all abilities. If you have students with special needs, let us know how we can serve them better. Our school rules don’t apply to LSEs and their charges – if a child is becoming distressed in an area or an activity, we are happy to help the LSE find a better location for the child, and can provide a quiet room, ear defenders and fidget toys.
We have coffee!
We understand that many teachers need coffee! Break times are quite short (typically 30 minutes) and it’s important that everyone is ready to move on by the end. We’ve found that it usually works well to have one or two adults from a school group go to the cafeteria during the students’ break and bring back takeaway coffee (and maybe a snack) for themselves and the other adults. Please note that no food or drink may be consumed in the Exhibit spaces, however you can store uneaten food with your students’ backpacks until after their session. Your Explainer will be happy to give you directions to the cafeteria from your break location.
Students can visit the cafeteria during their break, however we ask that this be done in small groups and under supervision. We advise against them ordering cooked food such as a burger or chips, as often the break is practically over by the time they return, and they don’t even have time to eat it.
We'll help you be on time for your transport
Please let your Explainer know the time of your return trip on your booked transport. The Explainer will have already been informed of the timing of your booking, however sometimes the booked times of the transport do not match the booking. If your Explainer knows what time you have to leave, then they can check the schedule and see if it can be adjusted if necessary.
We want to see you again!
We welcome your feedback after a school visit, as we like to give credit to our hard-working staff and also to know the areas where we can work to improve. Sending us an email would be great!
For your next visit, remember that the education programme has a rotating schedule of workshops and shows, so there’s sure to be something new for you to enjoy!