The Kings Foundation Ticket Portal

Giving our Primary schools more options, we now also offer the choice of a half-day or full-day workshop, allowing you to spend some free time on the Estate should you wish to do so. Let us know at point of booking, and we'll adjust our teaching to suit. To learn more about the workshops currently available for all stages, please see below.

Aerospace

Early Primary - Half Day, Skygazers. Full Day includes Shoot to the Moon

From solar cycles to rocket science, these two space-themed workshops invite pupils to explore the wonders of the universe. In Skygazers, they'll uncover how the sun and moon shape life on Earth, while Shoot to the Moon lets them get hands-on with forces and engineering as they build and launch their own mini rocket.

Late Primary - Half Day, Up Up & Away. Full Day includes Science Safari.

These action-packed workshops get pupils thinking like engineers and scientists. In Up, Up and Away, they'll design and test gliders while exploring the forces of flight. Science Safari turns the estate into a STEM adventure, with puzzle boxes and challenges to solve on a high-tech treasure hunt.

Secondary - Full Day, Inspection & Repair.

Pupils will begin with a navigation challenge using remote-controlled cars – but there's a twist. Their vehicles are out of action, and it's up to them to get them back on track. Through hands-on training, pupils will learn how to inspect, repair, and solder components, completing a detailed inspection report as they go. Along the way, they'll explore real-world roles in aerospace maintenance and repair.

Green Energy

Early Primary - Half day, Simple Circuits. Full day includes Elemental Energy

These hands-on workshops spark curiosity about electricity and energy. In Simple Circuits, pupils explore how circuits work using everyday materials, learning to work safely with low voltages. Elemental Energy dives into the science of energy transformation, as pupils discover how engineers harness and convert energy in creative ways.

Late Primary - Half day, Creative Circuits. Full day includes Fire Lighting & Fighting

These workshops combine sparks of creativity with practical outdoor skills. In Creative Circuits, pupils explore series and parallel circuits by building their own light-up greeting cards. Fire Lighting & Fighting takes learning outside, where pupils safely build, control, and extinguish fires—plus enjoy a few fiery experiments along the way!

Secondary - Full day, Generation Hydro

Pupils will work in teams to imagine, design, build and test a water turbine and generator. Pupils will explore fluid dynamics, to learn how hydro power has a role to play in getting energy into our homes and the future of energy storage.

Environmental Science

Early Primary - Half day, Nature Detectives. Full day includes Weather Watchers

These outdoor workshops get pupils hands-on with the natural world. In Nature Detectives, they'll search for minibeasts around the estate, learning how to identify, categorise, and count them. Weather Watchers explores wind and weather, as pupils measure wind speed and direction, investigate renewable energy, and report their findings to the Met Office.

Late Primary - Half day, Carbon Catchers. Full day includes Engin-air

These workshops tackle big environmental questions through hands-on science. In Carbon Catchers, pupils explore the Carbon Cycle and take part in experiments showing how to reduce greenhouse gases. Engin-air focuses on air pollution, as pupils learn to measure it using lichen bio-indicators and carry out their own air quality survey of the estate.

Secondary - Full day, Mapping & Monitoring

Pupils will practice their field and recording skills to help us monitor the environment and biodiversity on Dumfries House estate. Learning to read, use and create maps to showcase data and draw conclusions about the health of the habitats that surround us.

Sustainable Design

Early Primary - Half day, Animal Senses. Full day includes Tall Towers

From the depths of the ocean to the heights of engineering, these workshops offer exciting hands-on learning. In Animal Senses, pupils explore how marine animals use their senses to survive and learn how to protect oceans from plastic pollution. Tall Towers challenges pupils to think like engineers as they design, build, and test their own towering structures using different materials and an understanding of forces.

Late Primary - Half day, STEM Regatta. Full day includes Building Bridges

These engineering challenges bring science to life in creative and practical ways. In STEM Regatta, pupils dive into buoyancy and fluid dynamics, designing boats to navigate the wild waters of the Back Burn. Building Bridges explores biomimicry and climate resilience, as pupils take inspiration from nature to design and construct bridges that could save a model village in need.

Secondary - Full day, STEM Regatta

Get ready to make a splash! In this exciting challenge, you'll explore the science of buoyancy and fluid dynamics, then put your skills to the test by designing and building a boat. Your mission? To carry passengers safely—and as quickly as possible—down the tricky twists and turns of the Back Burn stream at Dumfries House Estate. Will your boat sink or sail? Let’s find out!

If you require further information on any of our STEM workshops prior to booking, please contact us at dh.education@kings-foundation.org

Our STEM and Horticulture workshops teach how science and gardening work together to support a healthier planet. Aimed at both primary and secondary students, these engaging sessions are delivered by our expert staff, who combine their knowledge to explore topics like ecosystems, biodiversity, and sustainable growing.

Available to book for Autumn/Winter 2025: 

Plants Please & BeeoDiversity - Early Primary Workshop - 10am - 2pm

In this split-centre workshop, Early Level pupils will explore the fascinating world of plants and pollinators with our Horticulture and STEM teams. Through hands-on activities in the garden, pupils will investigate the different parts of a plant, discover the stages of plant growth, and sow seeds to continue their learning back in the classroom. They’ll also learn how pollination works and why it’s so important, with interactive demonstrations and a flower hunt to spot some of nature’s busiest workers in action.

Wonder Worms & Water World - Late Primary Workshop - 10am - 2pm

In this engaging split-centre workshop, pupils will explore the hidden helpers beneath our feet and the vital resource that flows all around us. In the garden, they’ll discover the fascinating world of worms, learning about their diversity and the crucial role they play in maintaining healthy soils and supporting the nutrient cycle. Meanwhile, at the water’s edge, pupils will investigate the importance of clean water through chemical, physical, and biological surveys, linking their findings to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Estate of Nature & Measuring Diversity - Early Secondary Workshop - 10am - 3pm

In this full-day workshop, Early Secondary pupils will investigate biodiversity across Dumfries House Estate with our STEM and Horticulture teams. Through practical fieldwork, they’ll learn how to measure and monitor biodiversity using sampling strategies, exploring how wildlife interacts with its physical environment. In the Education Garden, pupils will apply their findings to discover how food can be produced in harmony with local wildlife, taking hands-on action to support healthy garden ecosystems. Ideal for those studying Science and Social Studies at Levels 3 and 4, and for anyone interested in wildlife conservation and research.

Inspired by His Majesty The King's Harmony in Nature philosophy, our workshops highlight the importance of working with natural systems — showing young learners how science can help us protect and nurture the world around us.

Our school education workshops support the delivery of The Curriculum for Excellence, and many of our activities are based outdoors on our 2000 acre estate, making use of our natural spaces to inspire learning. The King's Foundation works in harmony with the natural world, and as such our workshops also touch upon the UN Sustainable Development goals and support learning for sustainability.

Our STEM and Farming workshops introduce young learners to the fascinating ways science connects with farming. Aimed at early primary students, these fun and interactive sessions explore topics like seasonal cycles, animal senses, and how farmers work with nature to care for their animals and the land.

Rooted in His Majesty The King's Harmony in Nature philosophy, our workshops encourage curiosity about the world around us, showing children how science helps farmers work in tune with the changing seasons and the needs of their animals.

Animal Senses - A STEM & Farming Adventure - Early Primary Stage

Step into a full day of sensory discovery as we explore how animals experience the world around them—above and below the waterline! In this exciting combined workshop, pupils will dive into the underwater world to learn how creatures use their senses to spot food and avoid danger, while also discovering how they can help protect our waterways and seas from plastic pollution. Then, it’s time to head to the Education Farm, where learners will become animal detectives, following clues like feathers, fleece, snuffles and even a well-placed moo to uncover how each sense plays a vital role in helping our animals thrive. Pupils will finish the day by putting their own senses to the test in our hands-on “senses box” challenge!

Our school education workshops support the delivery of The Curriculum for Excellence, and many of our activities are based outdoors on our 2000 acre estate, making use of our natural spaces to inspire learning. The King's Foundation works in harmony with the natural world, and as such our workshops also touch upon the UN Sustainable Development goals and support learning for sustainability.

If you require further information on the content of our workshops before booking, please contact dh.education@kings-foundation.org

This Halloween, enter our STEM Engineering Centre if you dare! With Wild Bodies combined with a Spooky Trail on offer, there's something for every primary age and stage this October. Your young learners are welcome (encouraged!) to wear their best spooky costumes for these workshops, although it is not necessary. Let us know at point of booking whether you'd like a full or half day experience, and we'll adjust our teaching to suit.

Our Wild Bodies workshop is suitable for pupils of all primary stages. Pupils will discover some of the big and little monsters that live here in Scotland, learning about the similarities and differences between our bodies and theirs. Exploring enourmous elephants, fragile frogs and their wild bodies, learn how to design and build your own marvellous monster. Book our full day worskhop and we'll leave the safety of the STEM centre and head outdoors on the Spooky Trail, for a Hallowe'en Treasure Hunt in the dark dark woods, under the imposing shadow of Dumfries House itself. 

If you require further information on any of our STEM workshops prior to booking, please contact us at dh.education@kings-foundation.org

This December, bring your class to the STEM Centre at Dumfries House for a festive half-day workshop packed with seasonal science and hands-on fun! Our Let it Snow workshop is perfect for early primary pupils, exploring the magic of winter through exciting experiments. Older primary pupils can get stuck into Christmas Creative Circuits, where they’ll build their own light-up festive creations while learning all about electricity. Spaces are limited, so don’t miss out on this merry STEM adventure!

If you require further information on any of our STEM workshops prior to booking, please contact us at dh.education@kings-foundation.org

The Innovate & Inspire: STEM Careers Conference will be the first STEM Careers Conference hosted by The King’s Foundation in recognition of 10 years of innovative STEM delivery reaching over 20,000 young people since 2015.

Featuring two keynote speakers, three industry expert panels and a hands-on carousel of skills demonstrations and have-a-go activities delivered by local and national employers this conference aims to inspire up to 250 secondary students to pursue careers STEM and demonstrate how STEM innovations are driving positive change to protect our planet for the future.

This event will run at Dumfries House from 10.00 - 15.00 with lunch and refreshments provided. Please note any allergy/ dietary requirements/additional support needs on the booking form to ensure these needs can be accommodated.

To allow the event to reach those unable to attend the full day, between 14.30 – 15.00 parents, guardians and teachers who could not attend will be allowed to visit the exhibition. These tickets will be verified with the schools for safeguarding purposes.

Please ensure you choose the correct ticket type at point of booking.