School Trips to Geneva

CERN Guided Tours & Exhibitions

Group guided tours of CERN follow a  variety of themes (depending on the day/availability) and comprise an  introduction followed by a film and visits to experimental areas. All tours are guided by staff members involved with CERN. The duration of a tour is approximately 3 hours.

Groups can extend their visit to permanent exhibitions which will be explored without an escort guide: 

Universe of Particles - a fascinating look at a famous international particle physics laboratory which explore science from the Big Bang to the present day.

Microcosm - students will explore the world of CERN and discover technologies used by scientists.

The History of Science Museum

Housing a collection of scientific instruments, this museum allows students to put today’s science into perspective and better understand the evolution of certain disciplines and techniques such as astronomy, microscopy, gnomonic (the development of sundials and similar instruments), electricity and meteorology.

The Museum of Natural History

This museum offers a fascinating insight into natural history and ecology. The display of life-size models highlights the great diversity of the world’s mammal, bird, reptile and insect population, as well as an overview of the history of Earth and the human race and geology of the Geneva region.

United Nations

A unique opportunity to see the United Nations at work, here your students will learn about the United Nations Office in Geneva through guided tours, presentations and observing working sessions in action.

International Red Cross Museum

The exhibition offers an exciting and adventurous insight into contemporary humanitarian action.

Bern

Visit the historic city of Bern and wander along the cobbled streets of the medieval old town and admire the Zeitglockenturm – the ornate astronomical clock. The Einstein Museum in the city is dedicated to his life and work as he discovered the Relativity Theory while living in Bern.

World Trade Organisation

Built in 1926 Centre William Rappard was the first building in Geneva designed to house an international organization. Over the past 90 years it has housed at different times the International Labour Office the UN High Commissioner for Refugees the Secretariat of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and since 1995 the World Trade Organization. Guided tours last about one hour and focus on the history of the building and its works of art (not on the functions of the WTO or the world trading system).

Geneva Observatory

The Geneva Observatory is part of the University of Geneva located in Sauverny. The Geneva Observatory is a centre of education and training in astrophysics. Students will be given a short talk regarding uses for the observatory and how research is used within the astrophysics world. The tour of the observatory will start after the talk and you will visit the mechanical workshops & computer centre. Tour will end at the observatory dome where large astronomical telescope is located.

SIG Energy Pavilion

The exhibition at the SIG Energy Pavilion tells the amazing story of electricity: the mysteries of its production the ingenuity of its distribution and its impact on the environment. Visitors will discover a variety of installations illustrating the birth and journey of electricity from the power plant to the home plug. New renewable energy sources are presented in a practical and informative way. The exhibition also highlights the supply of electricity and explains how to make energy even greener and more efficient. This visit is combined with Verbois Dam and SIG Solar 3 - Verbois Dam opened in 1944 and is the principal hydroelectric installation in Geneva producing electrical energy and SIG Solar 3 is one of the biggest solar power stations in Switzerland.

Bois-de-Bay Treatment Plant

Opened in April 2009, the Bois-de-Bay STEP ('STation d'EPuration' or water treatment plant) is one of the largest water treatment plants in Switzerland. It treats wastewater from Meyrin Satigny Aïre-la-Ville and part of the Pays-de-Gex and disposes the rejected water in the Allondon, a stream known for its organic qualities and beauty.

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

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 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

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 

View our essential guide to a successful school trip here

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.

Watch our short Locate My Trip video here

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

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