Learning Sessions

How did Marconi help save the Titanic? Why did he change the world when he flew a kite? Children can discover this and more through exciting experiments and practical activities as we explore Marconi’s story and discover his connection with Chelmsford and mobile phones.

See how toys have changed in our amazing toy gallery.

Compare materials used in old and new toys, investigate mechanisms, experiment with optical toys and have fun playing with our replica ‘old’ toys.

What amazing inventions have been made in Chelmsford? What does it take to become an inventor?

With lots of hands-on experiments and practical activities, discover the stories of two Chelmsford based inventors, Guglielmo Marconi and Colonel Crompton

What was life like in Chelmsford in the past? How has Chelmsford changed over time?

This session will develop your children’s historical enquiry skills, as they investigate different types of evidence to build up a picture of how Chelmsford has changed over time.

Pupils will be able to journey through Chelmsford’s past via maps, photographs, objects and stories.

They can experience the sights, sounds and smells as the city grew from a Roman Mansio to a bustling Tudor market town and then a globally significant industrial town and the birth place of radio.

Pupils will put maths to the test. They can explore shape, ratios, number patterns and angles in a series of challenges linked to the story of Marconi, radio communications and the Titanic.

Pupils can become an archaeologist for the day.

They will handle objects, learn new skills, gather evidence and share findings as they investigate how and why life changed from Stone age to Iron age.

Through the eyes of Bernard, a young boy living in Chelmsford during the war, pupils will see and experience the impact of the war on everyday life and the town.

In the 1890’s, Marconi and Colonel Crompton set up ground-breaking electrical engineering factories in Chelmsford.

Inspired by their work, pupils will take on the role of electrical engineers. They will test their own ideas by conducting experiments and building a variety of different circuits.

An Anglo Saxon burial has been discovered on Broomfield Road but a question remains unanswered: who was this person?

Working as archaeologists pupils will handle objects from the burial looking for evidence and clues to reveal who this person may have been and why they are buried here.