STEM workshops for schools: let Stump Cross come to you

Never been to Stump Cross Caverns? It's well worth a visit – even if we do say so ourselves.

Under the bleakly beautiful Yorkshire Dales, there winds a network of chambers and passageways. An enchanted underground wonderland brimful of stalactites, stalagmites and other rock formations.

For some time now, we've been inviting school parties to come and explore the caverns . But now we're offering something different. If you're a school in Yorkshire or beyond looking for an educational workshop , we can come to you .

Each workshop ties into the Key Stage 2 curriculum, so you can be sure that your learning goals and outcomes will be reflected in our sessions.

Led by experienced, passionate educators, these workshops can be used for classroom sessions, one-off assemblies or even assembly series. We're passionate about our prehistoric past and able to communicate it through hands-on, informative activities.

Interested? Let's take a closer look at what we offer.

Stone Age Wonders

Anyone who's visited Stump Cross will tell you we're mad about the Stone Age – from the fossils in the visitor centre to our Stone Age workshops.

Book us for a history workshop and Cavewoman (or one of her cavepeople) will lead a Stone Age Wonders session.

This covers interactive activities such as rope-making and other crafts, with a focus on exploring what life was like in our prehistoric past.

One parent said: "The Stone Age session was fantastic – really informative. My son can't wait to tell his teacher what he learnt."

Fun, informative and relevant to KS2, our sessions will help primary school learners get to grips with Stone Age life.

Fossil Discovery Digs

For some time now, we've been holding Fossil Discovery Digs here at Stump Cross. They've proven popular – so popular that we're now offering to bring them to your school.


The focus is on fossils, and each workshop is a mixture of education and adventure. Cavewoman or a member of her team will begin with an interactive talk before introducing learners to real-life fossils. These include a huge Megalodon tooth!

After this, learners will dig in the sand for buried treasure – sand, we hasten to add, that won't end up on your classroom floor.

As with all our workshops, these fossil dig sessions tie in nicely with KS2 – in this case, modules on rocks, fossils and dinosaurs.

But don't just take our word for it. Here's what one satisfied parent said:

"I would definitely recommend the fossil dig. It was so fun. All the children loved interacting with Cavewoman, who did such a great job showing all the fossils and explaining about the caves and origins."

Fun, facts and fossils – what's not to like?

Cosmic Adventures

Our third and final educational workshop is our Cosmic Adventures session. This turns your learners' attention to the mysteries of the cosmos.

Cavewoman – or one of her helpers – will teach your class all about the solar system, including how to identify major constellations. Then it's on to fun, hands-on activities to spark the imagination and learn through play.

The Cosmic Adventures sessions are built around the KS2 STEM curriculum, meaning that each workshop can tie into your school's learning goals.

What should you look for in an educational workshop?

If you or your school haven't booked an educational workshop yet, you may be wondering what to look for. In our opinion, there are five questions to ask before committing to a school visit.

First, ask yourself whether the workshop aligns with the curriculum. In our case, all our workshops tie in with the KS2 curriculum, so you can be sure it will help learners cement their learning.

Secondly, make sure you're satisfied with the learning outcomes. Will learners finish the workshop with new and relevant knowledge? Will it fit in with your own teaching priorities?


Thirdly, look for credentials. Your educational workshop provider should have ample experience of working with children and positive testimonials.

Fourthly, you want to be sure that the workshop will be hands-on, fun and engaging, as well as educational. Fossil digs don't have to be dry as dust!

Finally, you should be confident that the workshop will be accessible to all learners. This is something that can be clarified during the booking process.

Once you're confident that the workshop satisfies all these criteria, you're good to go.

How to book a school visit from Stump Cross Caverns

Whether you're interested in a Stone Age workshop, Fossil Dig or Cosmic Adventures, it couldn't be easier to get started.

All you need to do is get in touch with our team , letting us know the workshop you want and your available dates. We'll get back to you with our own availability and a quote.

How far can you travel?

Although we're based in the Yorkshire Dales – just between Grassington and Pateley Bridge – we're happy to travel. Get in touch with your requirements and we'll see what we can do. Be aware, however, that the further we travel, the longer the notice we require.

What else does Stump Cross Caverns offer?

Here at Stump Cross Caverns, we're more than just the caves themselves. We also offer stargazing sessions, fossil digs , gem panning and more. Many of these sessions are ideal for school trips. Take a look at our events page to find out more.

What's the UV Experience?

Though we say so ourselves, the caves look glorious in all lighting. But for an extra bit of magic, we offer UV glow-in-the-dark cave tours . These let visitors see the caves in a whole new light – ultraviolet light, to be precise.

Each visitor gets a UV torch. When this is shone on the rocks, mysterious veins show up. It's an experience you and your learners won't forget in a hurry!


Want to bring the magic of Stump Cross to your classroom? Learn more about our educational workshops or book your session by getting in touch with our team .