Centre for Alternative Technology

Centre for Alternative Technology

CAT is a world-renowned eco centre that researches and supports greener ways of living, offering workshops, talks and talks at our beautiful site in Mid Wales. Our 7-acre visitor centre offers hands-on renewable energy displays, a wide variety of examples of environmentally responsible building and beautiful organic gardens.


What We Offer Visiting Schools:

All our workshops address sustainability across a range of curriculum subjects and many include issues related to global citizenship. Links are made to Science, Geography, Design and Technology, PSE and Citizenship. Embedded in our offer are cross-curriculum links to develop key skills in Literacy and Maths, with a particular emphasis on problem solving in an unknown context.

Workshops are available for Foundation Stage to postgraduate level, including GCSE, A level and the Welsh Baccalaureate. Most of our workshops can also be adapted for individual or groups of teachers.

Why Choose Us for an Educational Visit:

We have been welcoming school groups to our visitor centre for five decades and pride ourselves on how we engage young people with subjects surrounding climate change and sustainability. Our tours and workshops are ideal for a day visit and our on-site accommodation provides a fantastic base for a school trip in the region or for a more in-depth multi-day learning experience at CAT.

Subjects and Topics Covered:

Renewable Energy

Investigate renewable energy, understand the principles, and discover why it is important. Investigate different generator systems and how to store energy. Look at early examples of wind turbines and learn hands-on about generating electricity from renewable sources. Try our wind power workshops and activities or a specialist renewable energy guided tour. Learn more

Green Building

Workshops explore the concept of environmentally responsible building methods and materials through storytelling, drama, investigation and through focus on the materials themselves and their impact on the natural environment. Pupils will consider the need for humans to have shelter and safety and investigate sustainable and green building as an alternative to conventional methods. Learn more

Growing and Ecology

CAT is situated in the UNESCO Dyfi Biosphere, a region internationally recognised for its scientifically important landscapes and wildlife. Within our 24-acre site, there are several unique habitats offering an excellent resource for learning outside of the classroom. Discover the workshops and tours on offer, exploring habitats, species, and seasons. Learn more

Green Living

Our living workshops and activities investigate issues around sustainable living and offer the opportunity to explore solutions. We look at the barriers to achieving net zero emissions and how we can use a toolbox of ideas to inspire, inform and enable changes in the way that we live. Learn more

Group Sizes Catered For:

Up to 50 at a time. For larger groups, please contact the group visits team.

Itineraries, Resources, and Workshops:

Bespoke shorter sessions, full day and multi day itineraries are available. Choose from a wide selection of talks, tours and workshops along with periods of self-led activity to ensure you cover as much of your desired themes as possible.

More information is available at https://cat.org.uk/school-visits/

Education Department Information:

For enquiries, please email education@cat.org.uk.

Facilities:

On site, CAT has a range of fully supplied classrooms, a 150 seater tierd lecture theatre and a 24 acre visitor centre with practical examples of renewable energy, green building, growing, woodland management and more.

Accessibility and Disabled Facilities:

Most of the CAT site is fully accessible and flat. Please discuss any requirements with the education team.

Facilities

Accessibility

Disabled Access, Disabled Toilets, Guide Dogs Welcome, On Site Parking

Groups

Conference Facilities, Pre visit Available, Risk Assessment Available,

Attraction

Cafe, Picnic Site, Shop, Toilets,

Other

Ages

Subjects

Events

Reviews

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    Opening Hours

    Please see website for details

    Pricing

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    Address

    Llwyngwern Quarry, Machynlleth, Powys SY20 9AZ

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