STEM Education Workshops - Spring/Summer 2027
Our STEM workshops invite learners to explore the science, technology, engineering and mathematics that shape our world, with hands-on experiences in Aerospace, Environmental Science, and Green Energy. From investigating the forces that help aircraft fly, to uncovering the hidden ecosystems beneath our feet, to experimenting with the technologies powering a more sustainable future, pupils are encouraged to think critically, get involved, and follow their curiosity. Whether working outdoors, experimenting in our classrooms, or tackling real-world challenges, our workshops help learners build confidence, problem-solving skills and a richer understanding of how STEM connects to everyday life.
To learn more about the workshops currently available for all stages, please see below. Please note, some workshops are designed to run during the Spring term and others will run in the Summer term only. If you have specific dates in mind, please use our date filter to check workshop availability before making your choices.
AEROSPACE
Early Primary - Max 32 pupils - 10am - 2pm
Shoot to the Moon & Skygazers: 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 - Max 32 pupils - 10am - 2pm
Small Satellites in Space: Take your learning into orbit with our Aerospace workshop. Pupils will investigate the forces that make flight possible—from soaring through Earth’s atmosphere to navigating the weightlessness of space—and discover how these forces behave differently beyond our planet. Working in teams, they’ll tackle one of today’s biggest real-world challenges: space junk. After exploring why debris threatens future space missions, pupils will imagine, design, build and test their own creative solutions. This hands-on workshop blends engineering, problem-solving and big-picture thinking to inspire the next generation of space explorers.
Early Secondary - Max 20 pupils - 10am - 3pm
Inspect and Repair: Step into the world of aerospace engineering with our hands-on maintenance mission. Pupils begin with a navigation challenge using remote-controlled cars—but there’s a twist. Their vehicles won’t budge. To get them operational, teams must undergo “engineering training”, carrying out a full inspection and completing essential repairs. Along the way, pupils will learn how to solder, diagnose faults and complete an inspection report, gaining insight into the real roles involved in aerospace maintenance and repair. This workshop blends teamwork, technical skills and problem-solving to give pupils a true taste of life as an aerospace engineer.
Ready, Steady, Lift-Off!: What makes something fly? In this hands-on workshop, students will explore the science of flight by designing, building and testing their own gliders in our wind tunnel. Working in teams, they'll investigate how forces and design affect flight, put their understanding of physics into practice and use the results of each test to refine and improve their creations. Along the way, they'll discover how the science and skills they learn in the classroom connect to real-world engineering and career opportunities.
GREEN ENERGY
Early Primary - Max 32 pupils - 10am - 2pm
Simple Circuits & Weather Watchers: Explore the power behind renewable energy. Pupils will begin by getting hands-on with electricity, experimenting with low-voltage equipment to understand how simple circuits work. Using everyday conductors and insulators, they’ll build and test their own circuits while learning how to work safely and confidently with electrical components. Pupils will also step outdoors as Weather Watchers. They’ll investigate how wind direction and speed influence our weather, measure the energy available in the wind and report their findings—just like real meteorologists—directly to the Met Office. This full-day workshop blends practical engineering, environmental science and data skills, giving pupils a rich understanding of how renewable energy works in the world around them.
Late Primary - Max 32 pupils - 10am - 2pm
Creative Circuits & Fire Lighting and Fighting: Pupils will explore how electricity works through Creative Circuits, experimenting with series and parallel setups and using various materials to build their own mini circuits. They’ll finish this part of the workshop by designing and making a light-up greetings card to take home—a fun combination of science, problem-solving and creativity. They’ll also take part in Fire Lighting & Fighting, learning how to safely build, maintain and extinguish a fire while outdoors. Pupils will investigate different methods of fire control and take part in some exciting (and carefully supervised) explosive demonstrations that reveal the science behind combustion.
This workshop is weather-dependent; if conditions aren’t suitable for the fire session, an alternative practical activity will be provided.
Early Secondary - Max 20 pupils - 10am - 3pm
Generation Energy: How can we harness the power of nature to generate energy? Working in teams, pupils will take on the challenge of designing, building and testing their own turbine, exploring how renewable energy can be captured and put to good use. They'll investigate fluid dynamics and carry out an ecological impact assessment to consider how the location of a turbine can affect both its performance and the surrounding environment. Along the way, they'll discover how the science and skills they develop in the classroom connect to real-world engineering, environmental careers and future opportunities.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Early Primary - Max 32 pupils - 10am - 2pm
Seasonal Cycles & Nature Detectives: Get ready to explore the natural world and become a nature detective for the day! Pupils will discover the fascinating wildlife and seasonal changes taking place across Dumfries House Estate through two hands-on outdoor investigations.
In Seasonal Cycles, pupils will become citizen scientists, learning to identify plants and animals and investigate the natural cycles that shape their lives. They'll explore phenology – the study of seasonal natural events – and discover how climate change is affecting these patterns.
In Nature Detectives, pupils will head out to discover the amazing variety of minibeasts living on the estate. They'll learn how to find, identify, categorise and count these tiny creatures, building a picture of the biodiversity all around them.
Late Primary - Max 32 pupils - 10am - 2pm
Science Safari & Carbon Catchers: Pupils will kick off their journey with a high-tech treasure hunt across the Estate. Using clues and GPS locations, they’ll track down puzzle boxes—each containing a STEM challenge they must solve to unlock their next destination. This fast-paced activity builds teamwork, critical thinking and curiosity as pupils discover the science hidden around them. In Carbon Catchers, pupils dive into the Carbon Cycle and explore what global warming really means. Through three contrasting experiments, they’ll investigate practical ways to keep greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and help keep our planet cool. This workshop offers an exciting mix of outdoor exploration and hands-on environmental science, perfect for engaging late-primary learners.
or
Water World & Carbon Catchers: How healthy is our planet, and what can we do to protect it? Through two hands-on science investigations, pupils will explore the importance of clean water, the impact of climate change and the role we all play in protecting our environment. In Water World, pupils will discover why access to clean water is so important, exploring its connection to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. They'll investigate the health of waterways around Dumfries House Estate through chemical, physical and biological surveys, before experimenting with filtration techniques to clean their own water samples. In Carbon Catchers, pupils will investigate the carbon cycle and discover how greenhouse gases contribute to global warming. Through three practical experiments, they'll explore how oceans, plants and soils act as carbon sinks, helping to regulate our climate. They'll also carry out an air quality survey across the estate, using bioindicators to identify signs of pollution and learning how to repeat the investigation back at school.
Early Secondary - Max 20 pupils - 10am - 3pm
Estate of Nature: What wildlife is living on the estate, and are there any unwelcome visitors? Using real data from the estate's camera traps, pupils will investigate local wildlife, identify non-native species and explore the impact of plant pests and diseases. They'll learn how to organise and present their findings using graphs and GIS mapping tools, while discovering the differences between native, non-native and invasive species and the challenges they can pose to our natural environment. Along the way, they'll see how the skills they develop in the classroom are used in real-world conservation, ecology and environmental careers.
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
Late Primary - Max 32 pupils - 10am - 2pm
Building Bridges: Can nature inspire the bridges of the future? In this hands-on engineering challenge, pupils will explore how engineers look to the natural world for creative solutions to real-world problems, including climate challenges. Working in teams, they'll investigate how shapes and structures found in nature provide strength and stability, then put their discoveries to the test by designing and building a bridge strong enough to rescue the residents of a model village.
CROSS CURRICULAR
Early Secondary - Max 20 pupils - 10am - 3pm
STEM in Hospitality: What makes food good for our bodies, and how can science help us make healthier choices? Pupils will explore the science of nutrition through practical food testing, learning how to identify carbohydrates, proteins and fats in different foods. They'll investigate the importance of understanding food ingredients, including the potential risks of hidden allergens and other ingredients for people with specific dietary or health needs. Through hands-on activities, they'll also explore the importance of good hand hygiene when preparing and handling food, while discovering the connections between healthy food, healthy bodies and a healthy planet. Linking science in the classroom with real-world applications, pupils will gain an insight into careers spanning hospitality, nutritional science and health and fitness.
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.
COSTS
Workshops for Primary schools are charged at £5.50 per head, based on numbers provided at point of booking. Secondary school workshops are free. You will not be charged to book your workshop on this site, however you will receive an invoice from The King's Foundation via email once your booking is confirmed.
If you require further information on any of our STEM workshops prior to booking, please contact us at dh.education@kings-foundation.org
Booking options
Our STEM workshops invite learners to explore the science, technology, engineering and mathematics that shape our world, with hands-on experiences in Aerospace, Environmental Science, and Green Energy. From investigating the forces that help aircraft fly, to uncovering the hidden ecosystems beneath our feet, to experimenting with the technologies powering a more sustainable future, pupils are encouraged to think critically, get involved, and follow their curiosity. Whether working outdoors, experimenting in our classrooms, or tackling real-world challenges, our workshops help learners build confidence, problem-solving skills and a richer understanding of how STEM connects to everyday life.
To learn more about the workshops currently available for all stages, please see below. Please note, some workshops are designed to run during the Spring term and others will run in the Summer term only. If you have specific dates in mind, please use our date filter to check workshop availability before making your choices.
AEROSPACE
Early Primary - Max 32 pupils - 10am - 2pm
Shoot to the Moon & Skygazers: 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 - Max 32 pupils - 10am - 2pm
Small Satellites in Space: Take your learning into orbit with our Aerospace workshop. Pupils will investigate the forces that make flight possible—from soaring through Earth’s atmosphere to navigating the weightlessness of space—and discover how these forces behave differently beyond our planet. Working in teams, they’ll tackle one of today’s biggest real-world challenges: space junk. After exploring why debris threatens future space missions, pupils will imagine, design, build and test their own creative solutions. This hands-on workshop blends engineering, problem-solving and big-picture thinking to inspire the next generation of space explorers.
Early Secondary - Max 20 pupils - 10am - 3pm
Inspect and Repair: Step into the world of aerospace engineering with our hands-on maintenance mission. Pupils begin with a navigation challenge using remote-controlled cars—but there’s a twist. Their vehicles won’t budge. To get them operational, teams must undergo “engineering training”, carrying out a full inspection and completing essential repairs. Along the way, pupils will learn how to solder, diagnose faults and complete an inspection report, gaining insight into the real roles involved in aerospace maintenance and repair. This workshop blends teamwork, technical skills and problem-solving to give pupils a true taste of life as an aerospace engineer.
Ready, Steady, Lift-Off!: What makes something fly? In this hands-on workshop, students will explore the science of flight by designing, building and testing their own gliders in our wind tunnel. Working in teams, they'll investigate how forces and design affect flight, put their understanding of physics into practice and use the results of each test to refine and improve their creations. Along the way, they'll discover how the science and skills they learn in the classroom connect to real-world engineering and career opportunities.
GREEN ENERGY
Early Primary - Max 32 pupils - 10am - 2pm
Simple Circuits & Weather Watchers: Explore the power behind renewable energy. Pupils will begin by getting hands-on with electricity, experimenting with low-voltage equipment to understand how simple circuits work. Using everyday conductors and insulators, they’ll build and test their own circuits while learning how to work safely and confidently with electrical components. Pupils will also step outdoors as Weather Watchers. They’ll investigate how wind direction and speed influence our weather, measure the energy available in the wind and report their findings—just like real meteorologists—directly to the Met Office. This full-day workshop blends practical engineering, environmental science and data skills, giving pupils a rich understanding of how renewable energy works in the world around them.
Late Primary - Max 32 pupils - 10am - 2pm
Creative Circuits & Fire Lighting and Fighting: Pupils will explore how electricity works through Creative Circuits, experimenting with series and parallel setups and using various materials to build their own mini circuits. They’ll finish this part of the workshop by designing and making a light-up greetings card to take home—a fun combination of science, problem-solving and creativity. They’ll also take part in Fire Lighting & Fighting, learning how to safely build, maintain and extinguish a fire while outdoors. Pupils will investigate different methods of fire control and take part in some exciting (and carefully supervised) explosive demonstrations that reveal the science behind combustion.
This workshop is weather-dependent; if conditions aren’t suitable for the fire session, an alternative practical activity will be provided.
Early Secondary - Max 20 pupils - 10am - 3pm
Generation Energy: How can we harness the power of nature to generate energy? Working in teams, pupils will take on the challenge of designing, building and testing their own turbine, exploring how renewable energy can be captured and put to good use. They'll investigate fluid dynamics and carry out an ecological impact assessment to consider how the location of a turbine can affect both its performance and the surrounding environment. Along the way, they'll discover how the science and skills they develop in the classroom connect to real-world engineering, environmental careers and future opportunities.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Early Primary - Max 32 pupils - 10am - 2pm
Seasonal Cycles & Nature Detectives: Get ready to explore the natural world and become a nature detective for the day! Pupils will discover the fascinating wildlife and seasonal changes taking place across Dumfries House Estate through two hands-on outdoor investigations.
In Seasonal Cycles, pupils will become citizen scientists, learning to identify plants and animals and investigate the natural cycles that shape their lives. They'll explore phenology – the study of seasonal natural events – and discover how climate change is affecting these patterns.
In Nature Detectives, pupils will head out to discover the amazing variety of minibeasts living on the estate. They'll learn how to find, identify, categorise and count these tiny creatures, building a picture of the biodiversity all around them.
Late Primary - Max 32 pupils - 10am - 2pm
Science Safari & Carbon Catchers: Pupils will kick off their journey with a high-tech treasure hunt across the Estate. Using clues and GPS locations, they’ll track down puzzle boxes—each containing a STEM challenge they must solve to unlock their next destination. This fast-paced activity builds teamwork, critical thinking and curiosity as pupils discover the science hidden around them. In Carbon Catchers, pupils dive into the Carbon Cycle and explore what global warming really means. Through three contrasting experiments, they’ll investigate practical ways to keep greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and help keep our planet cool. This workshop offers an exciting mix of outdoor exploration and hands-on environmental science, perfect for engaging late-primary learners.
or
Water World & Carbon Catchers: How healthy is our planet, and what can we do to protect it? Through two hands-on science investigations, pupils will explore the importance of clean water, the impact of climate change and the role we all play in protecting our environment. In Water World, pupils will discover why access to clean water is so important, exploring its connection to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. They'll investigate the health of waterways around Dumfries House Estate through chemical, physical and biological surveys, before experimenting with filtration techniques to clean their own water samples. In Carbon Catchers, pupils will investigate the carbon cycle and discover how greenhouse gases contribute to global warming. Through three practical experiments, they'll explore how oceans, plants and soils act as carbon sinks, helping to regulate our climate. They'll also carry out an air quality survey across the estate, using bioindicators to identify signs of pollution and learning how to repeat the investigation back at school.
Early Secondary - Max 20 pupils - 10am - 3pm
Estate of Nature: What wildlife is living on the estate, and are there any unwelcome visitors? Using real data from the estate's camera traps, pupils will investigate local wildlife, identify non-native species and explore the impact of plant pests and diseases. They'll learn how to organise and present their findings using graphs and GIS mapping tools, while discovering the differences between native, non-native and invasive species and the challenges they can pose to our natural environment. Along the way, they'll see how the skills they develop in the classroom are used in real-world conservation, ecology and environmental careers.
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
Late Primary - Max 32 pupils - 10am - 2pm
Building Bridges: Can nature inspire the bridges of the future? In this hands-on engineering challenge, pupils will explore how engineers look to the natural world for creative solutions to real-world problems, including climate challenges. Working in teams, they'll investigate how shapes and structures found in nature provide strength and stability, then put their discoveries to the test by designing and building a bridge strong enough to rescue the residents of a model village.
CROSS CURRICULAR
Early Secondary - Max 20 pupils - 10am - 3pm
STEM in Hospitality: What makes food good for our bodies, and how can science help us make healthier choices? Pupils will explore the science of nutrition through practical food testing, learning how to identify carbohydrates, proteins and fats in different foods. They'll investigate the importance of understanding food ingredients, including the potential risks of hidden allergens and other ingredients for people with specific dietary or health needs. Through hands-on activities, they'll also explore the importance of good hand hygiene when preparing and handling food, while discovering the connections between healthy food, healthy bodies and a healthy planet. Linking science in the classroom with real-world applications, pupils will gain an insight into careers spanning hospitality, nutritional science and health and fitness.
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.
COSTS
Workshops for Primary schools are charged at £5.50 per head, based on numbers provided at point of booking. Secondary school workshops are free. You will not be charged to book your workshop on this site, however you will receive an invoice from The King's Foundation via email once your booking is confirmed.
If you require further information on any of our STEM workshops prior to booking, please contact us at dh.education@kings-foundation.org
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