Home Education Workshops (12-16 yrs)

Home Educators are always welcome at National Coal Mining Museum. Gain a deeper understanding of the museum with our specially tailored full day workshops.

The workshops are aimed at young people aged 12-16, if the young person you are looking to book is younger than this – please see our Home Educators workshops for 7- 12 year olds. Young people should bring a packed lunch and drink for the day. They will need to be accompanied by an adult. Adults in the group do not need to book onto the Workshop, but will need to bring a packed lunch and drink for the day. 

From Seam to Clean Streams – Wednesday 29, Thursday 30 and 31 January 2025

This scientific workshop includes a tour of a mine water treatment plant, field experiments, and laboratory chemical tests. Pupils will collect polluted mine water samples from five locations, testing for oxygen, turbidity, and temperature using scientific equipment.

In the lab, they will measure iron concentration and pH levels with colour charts and pH meters. Throughout the day, the young people will learn about chemical reactions, study equations, analyse data, and gain hands-on experience with scientific procedures.

Finally, they will use the knowledge learnt to make their water filtration and compare the data collected from the water treatment plant. Each young person will complete a Discover Crest Award on the day, that can be added to their record of achievements.

Timings for the day:
10.30am–11am Welcome and Introduction
11am–12.30pm Field Work
12.30pm–1.30pm Lunch
1.30pm–3pm Scientific Investigation
3pm–3.30pm Evaluate Data

Mini Beasts Unearthed – Wednesday 26, Thursday 27 and Friday 28 February 2025

An interactive and practical workshop, which explores the biodiversity on our museum Nature Trail (an old coal heap which has been reclaimed by nature). Young people will focus on three different microhabitats: soft ground surfaces, human-made hard surfaces, and plants. With guidance, we will identify and record the different species we encounter, using the equipment to study them closely and engaging in discussions about the role each one plays in the ecosystem.

The workshop includes a bug hunt using scientific equipment and a hands-on woodworking session to make bug hotels and encourage more minibeasts to make their homes on our site. Each young person will complete a Discover Crest Award on the day, that can be added to their record of achievements.

Timings for the day:
10.30am – 11am Welcome and Introduction
11am – 12.30pm Field Work
12.30pm – 1.30pm Lunch
1.30pm – 3pm Make Bug Hotels
3pm – 3.30pm Place Bug Hotels in Location

We cannot issue a refund on these workshops due to non attendance or change the workshop to another day. Thank you for your understanding.