Home Education Workshops (12-16 yrs)
Home Educators are always welcome at National Coal Mining Museum. Gain a deeper understanding of the museum with our specially tailored workshops.
The workshops are aimed at young people aged 12-16, if the young person you are looking to book for is younger than this – please see our Home Educators workshops for 7- 12 year olds.
Wed 8, Thu 9 and Fri 10 July 2026
Hydraulic Woodworking Session: Use traditional woodworking tools to design and build their own wooden hydraulic machine. Drawing inspiration from the mechanical mechanisms in our rich Mechanics of Mining collection, you will explore how simple systems create complex motion.
Wed 30 September, Thu 1 & Fri 2 October 2026
Art and History: Step back into wartime Britain and meet Mr or Mrs Ackroyd as you discover the experiences of WW2 evacuation and the important role of the Bevin Boys. Explore real artefacts through object handling, then get creative by making a willow poppy to become part of our large commemorative poppy installation on site.
Access Info: Part of the workshop will take place in another area on-site (this will be in the same building as the room the workshop usually takes place in)
Wed 9, Thu 10 & Fri 11 December 2026
Art and Wellbeing: Nothing is more thoughtful than a handmade gift. See some handmade gifts that were passed through generations of coal miners, whilst making your own personalised creations using authentic materials such as stained-glass resin, engraving and willow-weaved Christmas trees.
Wed 10, Thu 11 & Friday 12 February 2027
Science: Take part in hands-on science by wiring and soldering a torch, and learn how lasers are used underground for accurate measuring and mapping. Explore how light behaves by using prisms to investigate refraction, including how it can bend light to help you see around corners and recreate a classic magic trick.
Access Info: There will be parts of the workshop where the lights will be dimmed.
Wed 17, Thu 18, Fri 19 March 2027
Science Week: Explore the fascinating world of geology by investigating how sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks are formed and transformed over time. Using Bunsen burners, participants will carry out hands-on experiments to observe the effects of heat energy, cooling rates, solidification, and weathering on different rock materials.
Access Info: There may be strong smells in this workshop due to heating up different rock samples.
Thu 13 May 2027 – Rotary Challenge – Special Day Event, pre-bookable here
Take part in the UK’s first-ever Home Educators Rotary Challenge. A full-day challenge for teams of 3-4 to respond to a real-life engineering challenge. You don’t need any previous engineering experience – just a willingness to get involved, work as a team, and have a go!
Wed 7, Thu 8, Fri 9 July 2027
Art and Careers: Join graphic design artist Paul Eades to explore the art of storytelling through drawing. Get hands-on with traditional drawing tools and illustration techniques, discovering how they can communicate ideas with clarity, creativity, and impact.
We cannot issue a refund on these workshops due to non attendance or change the workshop to another day. Thank you for your understanding.
