Hands-on science, fieldwork and investigations for home educated young people aged 11–14/KS3.

A practical, curiosity-led science group for home educated young people aged 11–14, working broadly around KS3 level.

These sessions are designed for young people who enjoy learning by doing. We’ll use the woodland, outdoor spaces and our small Field Lab at Dorset Falconry Park to explore science through real investigations, practical activities, observation, sampling and experimentation.

The Field Lab gives us an indoor base for microscopy, experiments, specimens and recording our findings, while the surrounding woodland and outdoor spaces become our much bigger living laboratory. Sessions can move between the two depending on what we’re investigating.

Sessions will draw from biology, ecology, environmental science and scientific investigation, while also dipping into areas such as anatomy, osteology, natural history, chemistry and physics where they fit naturally.

Young people will have opportunities to use equipment such as microscopes, quadrats, identification keys, weather-monitoring equipment and field sampling tools, while developing skills in observation, recording, measuring, analysing results and asking good scientific questions.

Rather than following a rigid classroom-style programme, each block will have a broad theme with space for the group to follow their own interests and investigations. If somebody spots something strange in a pond sample, finds an unusual bone, notices a pattern in the weather data or asks a brilliant question, we have room to chase it. 🧪🦴🌱

The aim is to build confidence in practical science and develop many of the investigative skills that underpin later science study, while keeping learning hands-on, relevant and enjoyable rather than recreating school in the woods.

🔬 What might a session include?

• A short introduction to the day’s question or topic
• Practical fieldwork or laboratory investigation
• Using scientific equipment and specimens
• Recording observations, measurements and results
• A break for lunch and downtime
• Analysis, identification, graphs, mapping or further investigation
• Following interesting questions and unexpected discoveries
• Discussing what we’ve found and where we could take the investigation next

Young people will be encouraged to keep a science field journal across the programme, building a record of their investigations, observations and discoveries.

🌿 Session Details

Tuesdays, 10:30am–1:30pm

Dorset Falconry Park, Lewell Mill Lane, Dorchester

Sessions are three hours long, including time for a lunch break and downtime.

£15 per child

Sibling ticket: £25 for two children

Booking is available session by session, so families do not need to commit to attending every week.

Although themes and investigations may develop over several sessions, activities will be designed so that young people can still join individual sessions without having attended the previous week.

🌱 Pilot Programme

This is our first pilot block of KS3 Forest & Field Science sessions, so while I have plenty of ideas for where we can take the programme, I’d also really like the young people and families who join us to help shape what it becomes.

Feedback is very welcome throughout the pilot. I’d love to know:

• Is the session what you expected from the description?
• What has your young person particularly enjoyed or engaged with?
• What would they like to investigate or learn about in future sessions?
• Does the three-hour session length work well?
• Do Tuesday mornings and the current session times work for your family?
• Is there anything you’d like us to do differently?

The aim is to use this first block to find out what works in practice, what families need from a KS3 home education science group, and what our young scientists would like to explore next.

The programme can then grow and develop around the people actually using it. 🌿🔬

🧪 Age Range

This group is intended primarily for ages 11–14 / KS3.

The age range is a guide rather than a hard boundary. If you have a young person just outside this range who you think would be a good fit, please get in touch.

🌱 Parents & Carers

Parents and carers are very welcome to stay for the session, stay while their young person settles, or leave once they are comfortable, whichever works best for your family.

Young people may attend independently once the required Consent & Medical Form has been completed.

The group will be kept small to allow plenty of hands-on involvement, individual support and flexibility.

🧠 Accessibility & Neurodiversity

Bugs, Bones & Botany sessions are designed to be welcoming to neurodivergent young people and different learning styles.

There is no expectation to sit still and listen for long periods. Activities will involve a mixture of practical work, discussion, outdoor exploration and quieter recording or observation.

Young people are welcome to take breaks, use sensory supports and engage with activities in ways that work for them.

If there is anything that would help your young person feel comfortable or access the session, please let me know when booking.

🎒 What to Bring

Please bring:

• A packed lunch and drink
• Suitable outdoor clothing
• A waterproof coat
• Sturdy shoes or wellies
• Any personal sensory or communication aids that may help

Sessions will use both the Field Lab and outdoor areas, so please come prepared for the weather. Activities will be adapted where necessary in particularly poor conditions.

Scientific equipment and materials used during the sessions will be provided.

🦴 About Bugs, Bones & Botany

Bugs, Bones & Botany CIC specialises in hands-on science, anatomy, archaeology and nature-based learning.

Sessions are led by Jade, a qualified osteologist and forensic investigator with a background in human osteology, forensic research, emergency healthcare and outdoor education.

Our sessions use practical activities, real scientific equipment, specimens and outdoor exploration to make science tangible, engaging and memorable.

📋 Consent & Medical Form

A Consent & Medical Form must be completed before your young person’s first session.

The form only needs to be completed once, unless any of your details change, such as your address, emergency contacts or medical information.

Complete the form here:

https://forms.gle/A8PmBWkQmkJpxApJ6

If you have any difficulty accessing Google Forms, please get in touch and I can provide a Word version that can be completed electronically or printed and brought along to the first session.

📧 bugsbonesandbotany@gmail.com

We look forward to investigating, experimenting and exploring with you! 🌿🔬🦴

Bugs, Bones & Botany CIC