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The Forth Bridges Education Centre
Interactive STEM visits for schoolsSTEM for Schools
The Contact and Education Centre is a purpose-built facility which served as a focal point for community engagement and education during the construction of the Queensferry Crossing.
The centre is re-opening on 18th January to pre-booked school groups and offers a wide range of fun and engaging STEM activities for primary and secondary school pupils.
Please note that the centre is not open to the public, except for occasional open days and advertised events.
Book a Visit
We are delighted to announce that The Educational Programme will be relaunched on 18th January 2023.
If you would like to book a visit for your school please send us an email at SchoolSTEM@BEARScotland.co.uk. We are looking forward to wishing you a very warm welcome.
What Schools Say
Over 37,000 pupils have had the opportunity to participate in this unique programme since 2014.
Feedback received includes:
“The trip was outstanding, and is without doubt the most positively received educational trip I have been on or organised.“
“The pupils were extremely enthused and enjoyed the whole visit. The main benefits to our pupils were:
- Enhanced our pupil's knowledge and understanding of maths in real life as well as engineering and bridges in general.
- Provided the pupils with the opportunity to apply basic maths skills in real life
- Enhanced team building skills, leadership skills, planning and organisational skills, presentation skills as well as our pupils’ confidence and appreciation of maths.”
“These workshops were fantastic and our pupils spoke very highly of the experience.”
“We had a fabulous time and learned a great many things. Aside from technical knowledge, we actually learned a lot about ourselves.”
Fantastic Forth Future Engineers
Monday - Friday (August - June)
Would you and your pupils like to find out more about engineering, bridges and the construction of the Queensferry Crossing? Looking for an interactive, fun STEM visit?
Our engineer-led visits take place in our stunning Contact and Education Centre Exhibition Area in South Queensferry. The Centre provides an excellent learning environment with detailed bridge models, audio-visual resources, interactive learning challenges and spectacular panoramic views of the Forth Bridges and Forth Estuary.
Pupils work collaboratively in teams, developing problem-solving, communication, team-working and organisational skills whilst completing their STEM challenges.
Go Forth Digital Learning Resources
Primary School Programme (P3-P7)
- Bridges, Forth Bridges and Queensferry Crossing construction topics
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Challenges that can be tailored to complement your class topic/project
- Classroom lesson plans for before and after your visit
- Classroom lesson plans and resources available for distance learning
- Self-led Forth Road Bridge field trip with outdoor learning
Secondary School Programme (S1- S6)
- Bridges, Forth Bridges and Queensferry Crossing topics
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Challenges
- Tailored subject visits available eg maths, technology, geography, engineering science
- Classroom resources for distance learning
- Forth Road Bridge field trip with outdoor learning
Booking is required and visits start at 09:30 or 10:00, 12:30 or 13:00 for groups of 20 to 80 pupils.
Single visits - for groups of 20 to 40 pupils last approximately 2 hours 30 minutes within the Centre and the visit can be enhanced by adding a Forth Road Bridge field trip. The field trip is self-led by your own teachers with materials provided by the Centre to enhance the experience and extend learning if required.
A typical single visit schedule would be:
- All arrive at the Centre to view the Exhibition
- Presentation – The Forth Bridges and Engineering
- STEM - Engineering Workshop Challenge
- Discussion and close
- Option to remain in the Centre to have packed lunch (time permitting)
- Optional teacher self-led Forth Road Bridge field trip before or after your session in the Centre
Double visits - for groups of more than 40 pupils last approximately 4 hours 30 minutes and involve both the Forth Road Bridge field trip (self-led by your own teachers) and the STEM – Engineering Workshop within the Centre.
A typical double visit schedule would be:
- All arrive at the Centre to view the Exhibition
- Presentation – The Forth Bridges and Engineering
- Half of the group remain in the Centre for their Engineering Workshop whilst the other half are taken on their field trip by teachers.
- All together for packed lunch at the Centre
- Groups swap over activities for the afternoon session
- Session discussion and close
Please note that pupils may have their packed lunch within the Exhibition Area if time permits and on the basis of no mess. Please bring lunch with you as we do not have catering facilities on site.
Location
Contact and Education Centre
Adjacent to Forth Road Bridge Administration Building
South Queensferry
Edinburgh
Scotland
EH30 9SF