The Inside Outside Programme

An outdoor learning experience for secondary school groups that aims to inspire an interest in science and the natural world.

Secondary school students can join our experienced environmental educators at the Isis Education Centre at The LookOut in Hyde Park all-year round to develop practical science skills inside and outside the classroom. Enquire about a visit.

Information about the sessions

  • All sessions are 2 hours unless otherwise stated. Sessions run 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm, or can be combined to create a full day of activities
  • Each Discovery Room can accommodate up to 30 students
  • All sessions can run all year round, however some are more suited to the late Spring and Summer terms. Please ask at the time of booking
  • Sessions are linked to the National Curriculum & exam specifications

Key Stage 3-4 and Post-16 Sessions

Inspire your students by choosing from the list below:

Classify Living Things (KS3)

Stag BeetleA refreshingly novel take on classification. We use ebay and self-sorting activities to understand the principles behind classification, before using keys to identify and classify plants and invertebrates in the Park. Similarities and differences are then studied using digiblue microscopes.

Adaptation to Habitat (KS3)

Find out how animals are adapted to their habitat as we examine both an aquatic and grassland ecosystem. Collect specimens and study their adaptations using hand lenses and digiblue microscopes, then draw conclusions about their role in the habitat.

Food Chains and Webs (KS3)

Using sweep nets and pooters we complete a habitat survey and consider the feeding relationships between the plants and animals found. We then consider threats to these delicate feeding webs.

Science Project Skills (KS3)

Experience science outside the classroom as pupils carry out their very own British habitat survey. Identify the animals found using keys, record data and use it to write a scientific report back at school.

Land Use and Local Conservation (KS3-4)

SnailInvestigate the impact of human activity on our Royal Parks. We identify and study a range of different park habitats and determine how valuable they are to wildlife. This session includes fieldwork to look at the impact of trampling and includes a problem solving activity based around our summer concerts.

Population, Climate and Sustainability (KS3-4)

Find out how the growing population of London impacts on climate change and habitat degradation. We collect climate data and investigate human impact on the parks by undertaking two habitat surveys.  We then use the Isis Education Centre to explore how we can attempt to live sustainably.

Classification and Ecological Relationships (KS4)

Identify and classify a range of invertebrates before considering the ecological relationships between them.  Then discover how classification is used to help establish a species census and how we could use this data to plan a conservation strategy.

Adaptations for Survival (KS4)

Discover how animals compete for food, mates and territory in order to survive.  Complete a habitat survey and examine each organism under a microscope to find out how anatomy and behaviour help with species survival.Butterfly

Food Webs and Interdependence (KS4)

Understand feeding relationships and interdependence through habitat studies.  After surveying a habitat we build food webs from our findings and discuss how each species relies on those around it.

Science in The Royal Parks (KS4)

A session looking at the different careers which use science in the parks.  Discover the skills and qualities needed to do each role and how health and safety impacts on their daily routine.  Includes mock tasks and a risk assessment activity.

Practical Investigation Day (KS4)

Become an ecologist and undertake your own scientific investigation in Hyde Park by using sampling equipment to survey the distribution of organisms in a habitat.  We'll guide you through the entire process of undertaking a scientific study from formulating a hypothesis to analysing results.  This session runs from 10am - 3pm with a break for lunch.

Practical Ecology and Fieldwork (AS/A2 level)

Daisy flowerThe Isis Education Centre provides the perfect base for A-level fieldwork. Students have access to field equipment, a range of park habitats and expert educators to guide their data collection.  Students formulate a hypothesis, select the appropriate equipment and undertake their own study.  Students are expected to collect both biotic and abiotic data and collect and store data digitally. This session runs from 10am - 3pm with a break for lunch.