The Whipple Museum can offer on-site learning sessions for secondary school groups on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, subject to availability. Session times are 10-11.30 and 1-2.30. The morning session gives exclusive access to the museum for your class and the afternoon session takes place while the museum is open to the public.Our maximum group size is 45, split into three groups of 15. Sessions typically last up to an hour and a half and include practical activities, information about objects and a chance to ask questions. Home educating families are welcome to book any of the schools sessions, there are no minimum numbers. Contact Alison Giles, our learning coordinator, on are26@cam.ac.uk to discuss how we can help you.
The Art and Science of Light
Key themes: Art and Science
Age range: KS3
This session will focus in optical scientific instruments from the museum's collection exploring their ability to change how we see the world around us. Students will have the opportunity to sketch their own observations under a microscope, explore 2D and 3D by using stereoscopic viewers and look at other optical scientific instruments such as telescopes.
Duration: 90 minutes. Break down of content: 30 minute taught session + 30 minute handling + 30 sketching in galleries.
Science, Exploration and Empire
Key themes: History, Science
Age range: KS3 and KS4
Via gallery investigation, source analysis and discussion, students will get a glimpse of science from the diverse perspectives of colonial forces and native peoples. After being led around our collections by a museum teacher, students will be given sources and objects in order to prepare presentations on how colonialism and Empire affected science and vice versa.
Duration: 90 minutes. Break down of content: 30 minute taught session + 30 minute case study preparation + 30 minute presentation and discussion
Medicine and Anatomy through Time
Key themes: History, Science, Medicine
Age range: KS4
Students will be able to explore how revolutionary discoveries affected the development of new medical and anatomical knowledge. They will study the tools of the medical trade from the Renaissance to the 19th century, revealing the impact of key figures including Andreas Vesalius and important techniques such as trepanation. In collaboration with the Whipple library, they will then be encouraged to investigate and analyse important medical texts from different eras and make conclusions about what influenced their authors and illustrators.
Duration: 90 minutes. Break down of content: 30 minute taught session + 30 minute textual analysis + 30 minutes free time.
Modelling Science
Key themes: Double award Science GCSE, Single Award Science GCSE, History
Age range: KS4
From an enormous protein structure to plaster casts of chicken heads, students will see models spanning different scientific fields, dating from the 18th century to the 20th. They will learn about the importance of models in scientific investigations and discoveries throughout Biology, Chemistry and Physics. They will analyse the representation of concepts including electricity and genetic inheritance, have an in-depth look at the history of molecular models, and operate a mechanical model of the solar system.
Duration: 90 minutes. Break down of content: 30 minutes gallery teaching + 30 minutes activity + 30 minutes free time in galleries