 | To download a free Teachers' Guide, risk assessments and other documents please visit the Useful information page. | For information on how to get to Dinosaur Isle, and for details of Island Coach companies please visit the
How to get here page. | For details of school accommodation providers please visit the
Tourism, Schools and Accommodation page. |
Children collecting fossils on a school field trip to the rocky St. Catherines site.  The picture shows a combined field trip with the Geological Society of the Isle of Wight to Bembridge Forelands. Photograph supplied by Val Munt. We can often work with partners to provide inspirational education projects related to the Island's geological and palaeontological heritage. If you wish to discuss a joint project please contact us. Should you wish to discuss a custom activity for your group please contact us. We can for example support tourism, heritage and business study students. If you wish to learn more about our educational provision please contact the Community Learning Officer.
Community Learning Officer: Trevor Price
Telephone: (01983) 404344
email: trevor.price@iow.gov.uk
| The Isle of Wight is the most important site in Europe for dinosaur fossils; and of major importance for fossils from the Caenozoic.
Dinosaur Isle is the showcase for Isle of Wight fossils, from the tiniest insects and shells right up to the largest dinosaur. Children and adults alike are fascinated by the displays of real fossils, skeletons and life-like reconstructions of prehistoric animals and their environments.
Dinosaur Isle is home to one of Europe’s finest collections of dinosaur remains. Our mission is “to be a national centre of excellence in the acquisition, conservation, display and interpretation of the Island’s dinosaurs and diverse geological heritage”.
The museum is responsible for providing an educational service for UK mainland, international and local schools, as well as other formal and informal educational groups. It is the largest provider of geological and palaeontological learning on the Isle of Wight, supporting about 10,000 formal educational visitors each year. At Dinosaur Isle
Open all year, we provide a range of activities including talks and fossil handling sessions, unguided (and guided) visits and field trips; including visits to local coastal sites containing visible geology and fossils. Within the building we can provide tailored activities, for example introductions to evolution (GCSE Biology), extinction, rocks and soils. A large Education Room is available for talks and learning activities. We cater for students from reception class (and pre-school!) through to the retired. Outreach
We can visit local schools, and other educational and community groups, to provide interactive talks and learning sessions. Dinosaur Isle is responsible for providing resources to schools in conjunction with the requirements of teachers. We are in the process of improving the provision of loan-kits directly from Dinosaur Isle for local schools. At present we have a set of model dinosaur heads which are suitable for story-telling sessions (and which have been used in local libraries, pre-schools, reception and primary schools). We plan to provide a small range of kits for hire. We will publish details as they become available. Community Learning
In addition to formal education we encourage community learning through the provision of lectures, field trips and other activities for adults and families, youth and special interest groups. Advanced study
We can often support GCSE projects, A-level fieldwork and University projects. Assistance can be provided for access to the collections for undergraduate and graduate research. |
