Explore the Farrell Centre and learn about the built environment through our programme of free schools’ workshops.
Overview
Explore the Farrell Centre and learn about the built environment through our programme of free school workshops.
During a visit to the Farrell Centre your school group will learn more about the built environment through exhibition tours, hands on making and lots of discussion.
All of our workshops challenge students to think critically and creatively about their local area and the built environment. Visits to the Farrell Centre also provide an excellent opportunity to introduce the university to your students and learn more about the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape.
Workshops are led by experienced facilitators within the Farrell Centre Team. The sessions follow an interdisciplinary approach using the built environment as a way to work across curriculum and subject points. All of our workshops could feed into Art and Design, Science, Humanities and Design and Urban Planning for later key stages.
Teachers and tutors are always welcome to bring their groups for a self-led visit of our exhibitions. A member of the team will support your visit where possible.
Map Your World
Explore historic maps of Tyneside and create new maps for the worlds which are important to you.
Maps are not simply about helping you get from point A to B. They are also about power and control. Maps bring worlds into being, prioritising certain places over others.
In this 2-hour workshop, we will learn from historic maps of Tyneside and begin to understand the ways the region has changed over time.
We will then begin to create maps of the worlds which are important to us, signposting your favourite places and spaces, from your local park to the virtual worlds you inhabit in video games.
This workshop can be adapted to suit KS1 – KS4
Thoughtful Architects
Design buildings and spaces that suit the needs of their users.
In this 2- hour workshop students will start to think like architects and construct 3D models from a kit of recycled materials.
Working in groups, students will be given a building type and animal that they must design for e.g. A ‘museum for snakes’ or a ‘playground for elephants’. They will need to consider the needs of that animal, the function of the building and adapt their designs accordingly.
This workshop can be adapted to suit KS2-3
Concrete Collage
Explore Tyneside's modernist history in this collage workshop
Students will learn about Tyneside’s unique modernist history in this 2-hour workshop.
Using resources from the Farrell Centre’s own ‘Concrete Dreams’ Exhibition, students will explore the important buildings from that era and learn about the ambitious vision of architects and planners working in the city. We will then create our own city collages inspired by Napper Architects 1960’s architectural proposals.
This workshop can be adapted to suit KS2 – KS4
City Model Makers
Become a town planner in this hands-on paper model-making session.
Inspired by the 1963 City Model on display in our galleries, this session will encourage students to think like town planners.
We will learn how cities and towns are put together, thinking about the necessary provision for green space, transport, housing or recreation and much more. Groups will then be set the challenge of creating areas of the city using paper collage and folded building nets. The session will end with all groups coming together to slot and arrange their newly constructed city.
This workshop can be adapted to suit KS1 – KS4
Important Information
- All visits are free of charge.
- The Farrell Centre offers school visits to suit all Key Stages.
- We offer school visits on Mondays and Fridays
- We offer morning sessions: 10:00 – 12:00 or afternoon sessions: 12:30 – 14:30.
- If your class would suit quieter sessions, then please request a morning visit.
- Due to the size of our workshop spaces, we can accommodate one class of up to 30 students at a time.
- There is space in the Centre for your class to eat packed lunches- this can take place 12:00 -12:30.
To book a school visit, please contact hello@farrellcentre.org.uk providing information about:
- Your School
- Year Group and class size
- Workshop preference (please see Menu above)
- Any extra information about projects you are working on in school – we are keen to embed learning where possible.