Schools and teachers: AS and A2 levels
The education service at the Museum offers a range of teaching sessions, special events and online resources suitable for years twelve and thirteen that are free to all schools. A day session typically runs from 10.30am to 2.30pm. A short session typically runs from 10am to 11.30am or 1.00pm to 2.30pm.
Teaching sessions: make a booking
- From kingdom to species
In this session students explore the connection between taxonomy, classification and phylogeny by handling and comparing Museum specimens. Students study the principles of natural selection, evolution and speciation. Students have the opportunity to go behind the scenes of the Museum and find out how scientists use the collections today.
This is available as a short session. - Conservation Preservation
This programme begins at the Botanic Garden and continues in the Museum of Natural History. Students consider the activities carried out to maintain biodiversity, using examples from the collections.
This is available as a day session or short session. - Inspired by Life
The Museum is a popular venue for art students. Looking at specimens in detail prompts questions about how they were formed, why they have particular features and how they live. Teaching science through art makes perfect sense. Science also influences art and this can be seen at first hand in the design of the Museum building, from its intricate stone work and skeletal structure to the glorious variety of form, colour, texture and pattern within its fabric.
This is available as a day session.
Special events: make a booking
Museum study days
Study Days are held in the Museum in December and March. Each study day has a different theme. Examples include Inside Cells and Biodiversity. Scientists talk about their research and students explore the collection with taught and self guided sessions.
Online resources: learning more
- Browse learning more
Learning more provides a series of articles for older students on the history and science relating to the Museum and its collections of rocks, fossils and animals.
Learning more articles are PDF format and are usually 500kB or less in size.
To read these files you will need to download Adobe Reader
Enquiries regarding education services should be sent to: education@oum.ox.ac.uk
