Secondary Schools
We currently offer visits for S1, S2 and activity week groups (see below).
S1/S2 Competitions
The Natural History Centre runs an annual Sci-Art poster competition for first and second year secondary school children which is based on a topical issue and encourages interdisciplinary links. This year we are pleased to announce a competition that invites pupils to think about the ways nature has been used as an inspiration for the design of sustainable technology and then represent their ideas in an A4 poster.
Nature's Grand Designs
“Shape and design in Nature are important sources of inspiration for scientists. Choose a plant or animal which has inspired a sustainable invention and create a poster presenting the idea behind the technology.”
Win a digital camera! Please send your entries to the NHC by Friday 28th May 2010.
Details of the competition guidelines and resource notes are being posted to schools throughout Scotland. Children may register for a Bronze Crest Award with TechFest Setpoint.
Download competition flyer (pdf)
Darwin200:" location, re-location!"
"Choose an animal and find out how it has adapted to its present day habitat. Imagine it has to evolve to live in a completely different habitat and present an image of what it would then look like.
(Include an explanation of how it has adapted to its new environment)."
Win a digital camera! Please send your entries to the NHC by Friday 29th May 2009.
Details of the competition guidelines and resource notes are being posted to schools in Aberdeen City and Shire. Children may register for a Bronze Crest Award.
Download Darwin competition flyer (pdf)
Find out more about Darwin by clicking here
Planet Plant - 2008
Children from S1 and S2 were asked to design a placemat for a new restaurant explaining the benefits of a food plant of their choice. All the posters were displayed in the foyer of the David Welch Winter Gardens during July 2008.
 1st place |
 2nd place |
 3rd place |
Creativity, Curiosity and Science - 2007
To celebrate the 300th anniversary of Carl Linnaeus' birth secondary children from S1 to S3 were asked to photograph or draw an animal or plant, find out its Latin name and explain why it had been given that name.
 Robert Gordon's College |
 St Margarets School for Girls |
 Torry Academy |
Click here to see the other featured entries!
Secondary School Visit
S1 and S2
Visits are designed for your classes, are free and last either a morning or afternoon. Up to 40 pupils can visit at one time and take part in up to four hands-on activities. E.g.:
- live invertebrate adaptations and handling – stick insects, starfish, snails, woodlice and worms
- The Taxonomy Trail - an introduction to the zoological collection and classification
- microscope work – identifying freshwater invertebrates or examining plant diversity
- owl ecology – dissecting owl pellets to investigate bird and mammal biology
- museum research – using specimens and text books pupils gather information on chosen species
- research talk – members of staff from the School of Biological Sciences can also present their work to your classes. This allows pupils to experience the style of a lecture as well as find out more about the workings of a university
Each visit is tailored to your group so please contact us to discuss you ideas
Activity Week Groups
These visits are more general and aim to stimulate your pupils’ interest in the living world. Sessions last approximately two hours and are free.
Popular sessions include:
- pond dipping in the Cruickshank Botanic Garden
- live beastie handling
- tours of the Zoology Museum
- fun with microscopes