Our STEM and Horticulture workshops teach how science and gardening work together to support a healthier planet. Aimed at both primary and secondary students, these engaging sessions are delivered by our expert staff, who combine their knowledge to explore topics like ecosystems, biodiversity, and sustainable growing.
Available to book for Spring/Summer 2026:
Weather in the Garden – Early Primary – Full Day Workshop – 10am – 2pm
Combining Plants Please in the Garden with Weather Watchers at STEM, upils will explore the gardens at Dumfries House Estate to discover the variety of plants, identify the main parts of a plant, learn about plant growth, and sow seeds to take back to the classroom. They will also investigate how wind speed and direction influence the weather by measuring wind energy and reporting their findings to the Met Office, just like real scientists. The STEM half of this workshop is weather dependent and an alternative activity may be offered if conditions are unsuitable.
Seasons in the Garden – Late Primary – Full Day Workshop – 10am – 2pm
Supporting learning across Sciences and Social Studies within Curriculum for Excellence pupils will explore the nutrient cycle by investigating the lives of worms in the education garden, learning about soil health, biodiversity, and the important role living things play in sustaining environments (SCN 2-01a, SCN 2-02a). Pupils will also take part in citizen science, identifying plants and animals to track seasonal change and exploring how living things adapt throughout the year, developing skills in observation, data collection, and understanding of natural cycles (SCN 2-01a, SCN 2-20b).
Phenology in the Garden – Early Secondary – Full Day Workshop – 10am – 3pm
Phenology in the Garden combines Estate of Nature in the Garden with Tracking Phenology at STEM, supporting learning across Sciences and Social Studies at Levels 3 and 4 of the Curriculum for Excellence. Pupils will explore the living environment of the Dumfries House Estate through biodiversity surveys, investigating how wildlife interacts with the physical environment and applying this knowledge in the Education Garden to support food production and healthy ecosystems (SCN 3-01a, SCN 4-01a). Pupils will also be introduced to phenology — the study of seasonal change — by taking part in citizen science to observe and record seasonal patterns in plants and animals, comparing their findings with data from previous years to explore the impacts of climate change (SCN 3-20b, SOC 3-08a).
Our school education workshops support the delivery of The Curriculum for Excellence, and many of our activities are based outdoors on our 2000 acre estate, making use of our natural spaces to inspire learning. The King’s Foundation works in harmony with the natural world, and as such our workshops also touch upon the UN Sustainable Development goals and support learning for sustainability.
COSTS
Workshops for Primary schools are charged at £5.50 per head, based on numbers provided at point of booking. Secondary school workshops are free. You will receive an invoice from The King’s Foundation via email once your booking is confirmed. Workshops for secondary schools are free.
If you would like any further information on the content of any of our workshops before booking, please contact us at dh.education@kings-foundation.org