Science School Trips & Tours
We understand that the best way to learn about science is for pupils to have fun trying things out for themselves. That’s why we work hard to bring you the very best choice of curriculum-linked science visits to encourage learning through exploration, discovery and problem-solving.
Supporting STEM subjects
We’re passionate about STEM learning and are an official STEM Ambassador. Our range of trips are designed to bring a fresh perspective to STEM subjects and engage young learners. Our tours provide inspiration, understanding and excitement, whilst encouraging pupils to take STEM subjects beyond the classroom and into their career.
Many of our science tours support learning in Technology, Engineering and Mathematics – in addition to Science subjects – meaning your pupils get even more from their time outside of the classroom.
Learn more about our science school trip destinations
Science LIVE! Conference
Science LIVE! Conference
Show your students science in action at our Science LIVE! Conference, come face to face with speakers who are specialists in their field - all whilst enjoying the magic of Disneyland® Paris!
Find out more here
Berlin
Berlin
Although one of Europe’s most historic cities, Berlin has evolved to become the ‘Capital of Science’ with the densest network of science and research organisations in Germany.
Find out more here
Geneva
Geneva
This compact metropolis offers fascinating visits that will open your pupils’ minds to the immense possibilities of science. CERN offers innumerable learning opportunities for your pupils, however there are also fantastic visits in the surrounding area which explore key study themes.
Find out more here
Iceland
Iceland
The ultimate playground for scientists, Iceland offers unique opportunities for pupils. Your group will experience everything from dramatic volcanic lunar landscapes and spouting geysers, to diverging plates and glaciers!
Find out more here
London
London
This exciting destination offers pupils the opportunity to explore a range of science themes at a number of intriguing visits and hands-on workshops, whilst also enjoying a big city experience.
Find out more here
Paris
Paris
This cosmopolitan city offers a range of visits that will ignite your pupils’ curiosity about the world of science. With our expert knowledge of Paris, we’ll create an itinerary for your group that covers a wide range of learning outcomes.
Find out more here
Our most popular science school trip destinations...
Our most popular science school trip destinations...
London
This exciting destination offers pupils the opportunity to explore a range of science themes at a number of intriguing visits and hands-on workshops, whilst also enjoying a big city experience. We’ll tailor-make your itinerary to suit your group’s specific learning requirements to include the best visits and attractions at great value for money.
Pupils can witness science in the past, present and future across a broad spectrum of scientific topics: astronomy, biology, chemistry, environmental science, geology, mathematics, physics technology and more.
Cern
The compact metropolis of Geneva offers fascinating visits that will open your pupils’ minds to the immense possibilities of science. CERN offers innumerable learning opportunities for your pupils, however there are also fantastic visits in the surrounding area which explore key study themes, including evolution, theoretical physics, particle matter and the history of science. What’s more, we’ll create an itinerary to suit your group’s specific learning requirements to ensure that you get the most from your time in this intriguing city.
Explore the world with our field study guides...
Equipped with first-hand knowledge of the culture, climate, history and subject knowledge, our expert guides will assist with programme delivery, tailoring your group’s experience to suit your specific learning needs.
Your guide will contact you ahead of your science trip for a pre-tour discussion, assist with teaching, guiding, and practical investigation, whilst also providing advice, support and assistance with on-tour logistics.
Our Field Studies Guides are available in Iceland.
Planning your first school trip?
If you're planning your first science school trip, our essential guide will take you through each step of the process...
- Choosing your destination
- Gaining approval from your Local Authority and/or your Head
- Promoting your tour in school
- Confirming your booking
- Tailor-make your tour
- Completing your risk assessments (including a sample risk assessment)
- Quick reference timeline
- Pre-tour checklist
Additional support, resources & information
Tour planning service
Tour planning service
With NST, you’ll get your own dedicated, knowledgeable Tour Co-ordinator who’ll work with you from start to finish. You’ll benefit from their unrivalled destination knowledge, and their experience gained from working with many other groups too. They’ll tailor-make your itinerary from scratch and take care of everything for you:
- Pulling together an itinerary that runs smoothly
- Planning the right balance of visits every day with realistic timings
- Pre-arranging and pre-booking your visits, entrance tickets, passes and meals
You’ll receive your final itinerary a full 4-weeks before you travel too.
Free school trip promotion pack
Free school trip promotion pack
We’ll support you and provide everything you need to advertise your school trip around school and to parents. Our free school trip promotion pack consists of:
- Parents’ letter & permission slip template for you to complete A3 posters to promote your trip around school
- PowerPoint presentation templates which you can tailor to your own needs
- Online parents’ video which showcases the benefits of taking a school trip
Risk assessment support including preview visits
Risk assessment support including preview visit
Risk assessment plays a vitally important part in the planning and organisation on any school tour.
Our risk assessment guide aims to help you understand more about your obligations and how you can more effectively manage group safety on your next educational visit and provide you with risk assessments for your trip.
Planning first school trip
Planning first school trip
Organising your first school trip can appear to be a daunting process.
If you're planning your first school trip, our guide will help to take you through each step of the planning process, answering frequently asked questions and providing tips and support along the way.
Our helpful guide covers the following:
- Choosing your destination
- Gaining approval from your Local Authority and/or your Head
- Promoting your tour in school
- Confirming your booking
- Tailor-make your tour
- Completing your risk assessments (including a sample risk assessment)
- Quick reference timeline
- Pre-tour checklist
Get live updates on your group's tour location
Get live updates on your group's tour location
Locate My Trip uses GPS technology and is the easy, convenient way for your school to follow your location whilst on tour. Specifically designed to provide reassurance to both parents and teachers, NST will know where your group are 24/7. If your schedule needs to change, we’ll put plans in place to keep your tour on track.
With Locate My Trip your group can also share photos and videos with the school and parents, via a secure link, to keep them updated on your experience whilst you’re away.
Your online school trip organiser - My Tour Manager
Your online school trip organiser - My Tour Manager
Save time and stay on track with your school trip admin with our online orgnaniser - designed to help busy teachers like you.
With My Tour Manager, you'll be able to download FREE resources and access trip paperwork online and in one place. Your personalised checklist details what you need to do and by when, plus you'll receive fortnightly reminders too.
What's more, you can take all your trip documents on the go whilst on your tour with our app, My Tour Manager-On-the-Go.
Find out more and watch out short My Tour Manager video here
Free classroom resources
Free classroom resources
We've created a range of free geography resources and educational posters to brighten up your classroom!
Take a look at our downloadable posters here
Speak to one of our school travel experts
Our team of school travel experts have unrivalled destination knowledge and experience so they can help to bring your tour ideas to life and might even suggest options you hadn’t already thought of too!
So get in touch today and we'll help to create a bespoke, budget-friendly tour itinerary to meet your specific learning requirements.
Why choose NST...
Here's why hundreds of teachers choose NST each year...
- Unrivalled knowledge
Your dedicated science tour co-ordinator will use their unrivalled local knowledge and expertise to create a tailor-made, curriculum-linked itinerary to meet your group’s exact needs.
- Making it easier for you
With our online school trip organiser, travel app, free classroom posters to support in-school promotion.
- FREE group leader inspection visits
We offer a free inspection visit to your chosen destination to support your risk assessment planning.
- Value for money
We’re committed to bringing you the best possible value trips to help make every penny count.
- Support from our Field Studies Guides
Equipped with first-hand knowledge of the culture, climate, history and subject knowledge, NST’s team of specialist Field Studies Guides can assist with programme delivery to ensure your students have the best possible learning experience.
- More than 20 years’ experience
With over 20 years’ experience, with NST you can rest assured that your group is in safe hands.
- Risk assessment guidance
Our risk assessment guidance will help you to manage group safety on your next educational trip.
- Peace of mind
Your group’s location can be followed with our trip tracking device - Locate My Trip - plus you’ll have 24/7 support from us whilst you’re away.
- Offsetting carbon emissions
For every trip taken, we'll plant a Maya nut tree in Peru to support reforestation, local communities & biodiversity. Plus, we'll offset an additional tonne of CO2 to guarantee carbon emission reductions.
- NST is a certified Iceland specialist
We're proud to be a certified Inspired by Iceland specialist, which means that we have been accredited as a tour operator with extensive knowledge and experience when it comes to planning a trip to Iceland.
Looking for protection on your next school trip?
Booking with a school travel company is the best way for you to protect parents’ money and give yourself peace of mind.
Financial protection from the moment you book
NST are fully bonded & licensed:
- ABTA
- ATOL
- IATA
- Commission for Aviation Regulation
Managing safety on school trips
For your protection, NST's independently audited Safety Management System covers:
- 24-hour emergency cover
- Audited accommodation & transport
- Excursions & school visit assessment
- Group leader preview visits to assist with risk assessment planning
Package Travel Regulations 2018
Don't forget - if your school arranges transport, accommodation and other services directly, you’ll be liable under the Package Travel Regulations – meaning you’ll have all the responsibilities of a travel company, both legal and financial.
We're LOtC Council’s Quality Badge assured
For groups travelling from Northern Ireland... the Department for Education advises schools to always look for the LOtC Quality Badge when choosing a school travel provider.
