We have a range of STEM education workshops available for primary and secondary learners. Our day programmes are based around one of our key STEM themes, which are Aerospace, Green Energy, Environmental Science, and Sustainable Design. Our workshops are designed to support learners on their journey towards STEM careers and skills as early in their education journey as possible. Giving our Primary schools more options, we now also offer the choice of a half-day or full-day workshop, allowing you to spend some free time on the Estate should you wish to do so. Let us know at point of booking, and we’ll adjust our teaching to suit. To learn more about the workshops currently available, please see below.
Aerospace
Early Primary – Half Day, Skygazers. Full Day includes Shoot to the Moon
From solar cycles to rocket science, these two space-themed workshops invite pupils to explore the wonders of the universe. In Skygazers, they’ll uncover how the sun and moon shape life on Earth, while Shoot to the Moon lets them get hands-on with forces and engineering as they build and launch their own mini rocket.
Late Primary – Half Day, Up Up & Away. Full Day includes Science Safari.
These action-packed workshops get pupils thinking like engineers and scientists. In Up, Up and Away, they’ll design and test gliders while exploring the forces of flight. Science Safari turns the estate into a STEM adventure, with puzzle boxes and challenges to solve on a high-tech treasure hunt.
Secondary – Full Day, Inspection & Repair.
Pupils will begin with a navigation challenge using remote-controlled cars – but there’s a twist. Their vehicles are out of action, and it’s up to them to get them back on track. Through hands-on training, pupils will learn how to inspect, repair, and solder components, completing a detailed inspection report as they go. Along the way, they’ll explore real-world roles in aerospace maintenance and repair.
Green Energy
Early Primary – Half day, Simple Circuits. Full day includes Elemental Energy
These hands-on workshops spark curiosity about electricity and energy. In Simple Circuits, pupils explore how circuits work using everyday materials, learning to work safely with low voltages. Elemental Energy dives into the science of energy transformation, as pupils discover how engineers harness and convert energy in creative ways.
Late Primary – Half day, Creative Circuits. Full day includes Fire Lighting & Fighting
These workshops combine sparks of creativity with practical outdoor skills. In Creative Circuits, pupils explore series and parallel circuits by building their own light-up greeting cards. Fire Lighting & Fighting takes learning outside, where pupils safely build, control, and extinguish fires—plus enjoy a few fiery experiments along the way!
Secondary – Full day, Generation Hydro
Pupils will work in teams to imagine, design, build and test a water turbine and generator. Pupils will explore fluid dynamics, to learn how hydro power has a role to play in getting energy into our homes and the future of energy storage.
Environmental Science
Early Primary – Half day, Nature Detectives. Full day includes Weather Watchers
These outdoor workshops get pupils hands-on with the natural world. In Nature Detectives, they’ll search for minibeasts around the estate, learning how to identify, categorise, and count them. Weather Watchers explores wind and weather, as pupils measure wind speed and direction, investigate renewable energy, and report their findings to the Met Office.
Late Primary – Half day, Carbon Catchers. Full day includes Engin-air
These workshops tackle big environmental questions through hands-on science. In Carbon Catchers, pupils explore the Carbon Cycle and take part in experiments showing how to reduce greenhouse gases. Engin-air focuses on air pollution, as pupils learn to measure it using lichen bio-indicators and carry out their own air quality survey of the estate.
Secondary – Full day, Mapping & Monitoring
Pupils will practice their field and recording skills to help us monitor the environment and biodiversity on Dumfries House estate. Learning to read, use and create maps to showcase data and draw conclusions about the health of the habitats that surround us.
Sustainable Design
Early Primary – Half day, Animal Senses. Full day includes Tall Towers
From the depths of the ocean to the heights of engineering, these workshops offer exciting hands-on learning. In Animal Senses, pupils explore how marine animals use their senses to survive and learn how to protect oceans from plastic pollution. Tall Towers challenges pupils to think like engineers as they design, build, and test their own towering structures using different materials and an understanding of forces.
Late Primary – Half day, STEM Regatta. Full day includes Building Bridges
These engineering challenges bring science to life in creative and practical ways. In STEM Regatta, pupils dive into buoyancy and fluid dynamics, designing boats to navigate the wild waters of the Back Burn. Building Bridges explores biomimicry and climate resilience, as pupils take inspiration from nature to design and construct bridges that could save a model village in need.
Secondary – Full day, STEM Regatta
Get ready to make a splash! In this exciting challenge, you’ll explore the science of buoyancy and fluid dynamics, then put your skills to the test by designing and building a boat. Your mission? To carry passengers safely—and as quickly as possible—down the tricky twists and turns of the Back Burn stream at Dumfries House Estate. Will your boat sink or sail? Let’s find out!
Seasonal Workshops
In October and December of 2025 we are also offering engaging Halloween and Christmas-themed workshops for Primary Schools — Click the links below for full details and to secure your booking.
If you require further information on any of our STEM workshops prior to booking, please contact us at dh.education@kings-foundation.org
