A visitor attraction based around chocolate might not seem like somewhere that provides plenty of educational resources, but teachers might be surprised to find just how much schools can learn when visiting Cadbury World. School Travel Organiser investigates.
Cadbury World in Birmingham opened in 1990 and has served as a basis for learning ever since. The visitor attraction offers an insight into the heritage of Cadbury throughout fourteen zones.
During a visit to Cadbury World, students will embark on a self-guided tour where they will discover the origins of the cocoa bean, learn the history behind the creation of the Cadbury factory and Bournville village, explore how Cadbury markets products after 100 years of advertising and packaging design, watch chocolatiers make chocolate and enjoy a cadabra ride and 4D cinema experience.
Interactive topic talks
Following the tour, schools can also book a curriculum-linked talk in a themed education room.
Talks designed for Key Stages One and Two include Bean to Bar, The Maya, Aztecs, Design & Technology, Victorians, Rainforests, Building a Village: Settlements and, new for 2016, Chocolate Through The Ages.
Some Key Stage Three and Four interactive talks include Design and Food Technology, Leisure and Tourism Marketing, Science, and People in Business.
Workshop example
The Maya talk for example links in with the Key Stage Two Ancient Civilisations curriculum and allows students to learn about the Mayan people’s involvement in the early history of cocoa in 900 AD.
The talk is presented by a member of the team who will introduce the city of Chichen Itza and talk about the Mayan myths and legends that explained how humans were created.
Students will have the chance to explore a life-size replica of the Mayan codex to help understand the Mayans’ counting system.
Children will also be able to see real coca pods filled with cocoa beans and a wooden whisk that Mayans used to make their drinks.
There will also be the opportunity for students to dress up as a Mayan and the topic of whether or not The Maya played the first team sport in human history will be explored.
The presentation also features video and audio to enhance the experience and links in further with Primary curriculum – History, as pupils will understand the achievements of the earliest civilisations in a non-European society that provides contrasts with British history.
The 4D Chocolate Adventure
Sample itinerary
A suggested itinerary including The Maya talk is:
- Schools will arrive at Bournville with free coach parking, admission and meal voucher for the driver.
- Students will take the Cadbury World exhibition tour which will last around and hour and a half.
- Lunch can be taken by the outdoor play area or can be purchased in the Cadbury Café.
- This will be followed by an interactive topic talk, such as The Maya talk.
- The last stop of the day could be the 4D Chocolate Adventure cinema experience.
Further information
Teachers can download free resources from the official website, including free online workbooks, a Chocolate Trail to complete during the self-guided tour, factsheets and a Mayan colouring activity.
Two complimentary tickets for teachers to visit for risk assessments are available.
For more information visit www.cadburyworld.co.uk.
