Year 9 science students recently enjoyed an exciting and educational trip to the Museum of Natural History, where they delved into the wonders of life’s diversity and the fascinating history of dinosaurs.

The day began in the lecture theatre with “Evolution Revolution”, a thought-provoking talk by Sarah Lloyd. Surrounded by millions of specimens, students explored how life has changed over time and discovered the key principles behind the theory of evolution. This whistle-stop tour highlighted the incredible variety of life and how it has been shaped by natural processes.

After a short break and hands-on activities in the museum, students returned to the lecture theatre for “Oxfordshire’s Dinosaur Highway”, presented by Dr Emma Nicholls. This captivating session revealed the story of a remarkable discovery: a vast quarry floor covered in hundreds of dinosaur footprints, forming enormous trackways from the Middle Jurassic Period—around 166 million years ago. Students learned about the fearsome predator Megalosaurus, measuring up to nine metres long, and even larger herbivorous dinosaurs that once roamed the region.

The trip offered a unique opportunity for students to connect classroom learning with real-world science, sparking curiosity and deepening their understanding of Earth’s history. It was a day filled with discovery, inspiration, and awe at the incredible story of life on our planet.