2018 will see a range of new workshops, learning spaces and educational events open up to schools. The launches span the age groups and subjects range from Maths to English. Here’s a round-up of all the new things you can expect from the field of learning outside the classroom (LOtC) next year. 

Paultons Family Theme Park

Mathamagic at Techniquest, Cardiff Bay

Techniquest already runs a comprehensive learning programme for both Primary and Secondary pupils that includes tailored planetarium shows and workshops. Next year the centre will add to its offering by running two weeks of Mathamagic experiences. Mathamagic will take place between 19 and 22, and 26 to 29 June. Students who take part will learn how Maths plays a role in their everyday lives – from smartphones to video games. They’ll use rockets to learn about binary code and investigate why Houdini was a great topologist as well as an escape artist. 

Amazing Animals at M Shed, Bristol

M Shed in Bristol will be offering Amazing Animals workshops to schools. During the sessions pupils will work with a conservation expert to explore some of the images from the touring Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition. Pupils when then work in small groups to find out more about different species and habitats. By the end of the session each pupil will have also created a mini clay hedgehog, which they can take home with them. 

New English workshops at Shrek’s Adventure, London

Shrek's Adventure London

Pictured: Shrek’s Adventure London.

Shrek’s Adventure is now taking bookings for its brand new range of English workshops, which will be available from January 2018. The sessions will take place in the attraction’s new learning space and include a tour of Shrek’s Adventure, too. The Key Stage 1 workshop is entitled Once Upon a Time and it teaches pupils about the construction of a story. Children will learn about beginnings, middles and ends and learn about characterisation through role play. For Key Stage 2, meanwhile, there’s the new Build Your Story workshop, which lets pupils delve into characterisation, motives and feelings. The concept of villains and heroes will also be covered. 

Little Africa at Paultons Park, Hampshire

In 2018 Paultons Park will launch its new Little Africa area dedicated to helping children learn about the native animals of Africa. The park has developed a Key Stage 2 Biology workshop to complement the new space. Pupils taking part in the session will learn about habitats and adaptation. The Little Africa workshop is not the only new learning session launching at Paultons in 2018, though. Other new options include Animal Encounters for Key Stage 1 and 2, where pupils get hands on with different animals, and Fur, Feathers and Scales for Key Stage 1 that teaches children about classification and survival. 

Chessington World of Adventures, Kingston upon Thames

Chessington World of Adventures will open its new Land of the Tigers in 2018. The area will become the home of four endangered tigers. The park has developed a new interactive Tigeriffic Conservation workshop to coincide with the opening. The session can be tailored for Key Stages 2 to 5 and teaches pupils about wildlife preservation and what more can be done to save the tigers.