Science education in England
For the ages of 16, 17 and 18 (and older for those that remain in education below university-level), students in England do what is sometimes loosely called ‘key stage 5’ or KS5; it has no legal meaning (unlike the other key stages). And unlike KS1–4 in which the levels of complexity of topics learnt at each stage are prescribed within relatively narrow limits, at KS5, the levels of complexity of topics cover a wide range, although the highest level of complexity at KS5 is RQF level 3. Whether or not a student actually studies at this level of complexity in KS5 depends on his/her GCSE results—crucially on what subjects the student obtained passes at RQF level 2 standard (including mathematics and English) as well as the actual grades themselves. In other words, unlike KS1–4, where a specific student studies at one RQF level, at KS5, a specific student may be studying at several RQF levels depending on what s/he obtained at GCSEs. Regardless of the RQF-level mix, a KS5 student can do his/her post-16 study in one of the following:
Museum of Innovation and Science
Also located at miSci is a Challenger Learning Center (CLC). Opened in 2014, the CLC at miSci offers simulated missions to space for groups and for the public. Groups can book missions including Exploration Station, Rendezvous with a Comet, Earth Odyssey, and Expedition Mars (starting 2017). Visitors can purchase tickets for public Challenger Adventures, which runs on Saturdays and holidays at 2:00 PM and 3:30 PM. Tickets for a Challenge Adventure cost Admission + $10 for Adults, $8 for Seniors, and $5 for Children. Challenger Adventures are for visitors of at least 5 years of age. All Children under 7 must be each accompanied by an adult. All groups of children must have at least one adult present.