About Museum on the Moo-ve - National Museum of Rural Life

In this interactive session, pupils use maths-related problem solving to help us work out how to move our prizing winning Ayrshire cow off the farm. 

What will my pupils do in the workshop?

This session takes place in our Learning studio. Pupils will have the opportunity to visit the farm during their visit.

Working in small groups, pupils will:

  • Discuss the steps needed when planning to move a large farm animal off site
  • Collaborate on a series of maths related activities that involve weighing, measuring and building models with Lego
  • Finish the session with our very popular removal truck coding challenge

This workshop is perfect for team building and can act as a rich, holistic assessment tool. We like to reveal to the pupils at the end of the session that they have been doing maths all along, so you may like to focus on the team challenge aspects of the workshop when describing it to your class. 

Curriculum links

MNU 1-11a  MNU 1-12a 

MNU 2-11a  MNU 2-12a 

MTH 1-17a  MTH 2-17c 

LIT 1-02a   LIT 2-02a 

TCH 1-01a  TCH 1 -15a 

HWB 1-19a   HWB 2-19a 

HWB 1-20a   HWB 2-20a 

Sustainable development goals

4, 9, 11, 15, 17 

Meta skills framework

Self-management: Focusing, Adapting 

Social intelligence: Communicating, Collaborating

Innovation: Curiosity, Creativity, Critical thinking 

Available dates

December 2025

Tue 2 Dec 2025 - 10:30 and 11:45 - FULLY BOOKED

Wed 3 Dec 2025 - 10:30 and 11:45 - FULLY BOOKED

Thu 4 Dec 2025 - 10:30 and 11:45 - FULLY BOOKED

Booking Terms and Conditions

Payment process
  • Scottish State schools should raise a Purchase Order through their Local Authority procurement system for the cost of charged sessions.  Purchase Order numbers should be notified to schools@nms.ac.uk at least 7 days in advance of the visit. 
  • Independent Schools will be invoiced after the visit.  Payment terms are 15 days from date of invoice. 
Cancellation Policy
  • National Museums Scotland reserve the right to charge a fee for short notice cancellations or no-shows.  
  • Bookings cancelled less than 3 weeks prior to the visit will incur an administration fee of 50% of the value of chargeable events.  
  • Bookings cancelled less than 2 weeks prior to the visit will incur an administration fee of 100% of the value of chargeable events.  
  • A charge of 100% of the value of booked sessions will apply to no-show or last-minute cancellations. 
  • In certain circumstances National Museums Scotland may waive the administration fee. 
  • Cancellations should be notified in writing to schools@nms.ac.uk.
Free access for SIMD 1&2 schools

National Museums Scotland (NMS) Free Workshop Policy: Terms and Conditions 

Eligibility and Access Policy for Free Workshops 

As part of our commitment to inclusive education and community engagement, National Museums Scotland (NMS) is pleased to offer 20% of our educational workshops free of charge to schools located in areas designated as SIMD 1 and 2, based on the Scottish Government's Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD). The following terms and conditions apply: 

Eligibility Criteria 

  1. SIMD Designation: Schools must be located in areas classified as SIMD 1 or SIMD 2 (where at least 60% of pupils are also classified as SIMD 1 or 2) to qualify for free workshops.
  2. Verification: Eligibility will be verified using the latest SIMD data provided by the Scottish Government. Schools may be required to provide documentation or additional information to confirm their eligibility. 

Workshop Availability 

  1. Limited Slots: Free workshops are subject to availability, with 20% of our total workshop offerings reserved for eligible schools.
  2. Exclusions: Please note that this offer only applies to workshops delivered by National Museums Scotland staff and excludes special events, study days and special exhibition visits.
  3. Advance Booking: Schools are encouraged to book early to secure a place, as free workshop slots are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
  4. Waiting List: In the event that all free workshop slots are filled, eligible schools can be placed on a waiting list and will be notified if a slot becomes available. 

Terms of Participation 

  1. No Transport Cost Support: NMS does not provide financial support for transport costs. Schools are responsible for arranging and funding their own transportation to and from the museum.
  2. Cancellations: Schools must notify NMS at least two weeks in advance if they need to cancel a booking. Repeated cancellations without adequate notice may affect future eligibility for free workshops.
  3. Feedback: Participating schools may be asked to provide feedback on the workshops to help us improve our educational offerings. Participation in feedback activities is appreciated but not mandatory.
  4. Class cap: Workshop offer is limited to 4 classes from a school for each school session. 

Application Process 

  1. Application Form: Interested schools must complete the appropriate section in the booking request form.
  2. Supporting Documents: Schools may need to submit supporting documents to verify their eligibility based on SIMD status.
  3. Confirmation: Successful applicants will receive a confirmation email with details of their workshop booking. 

We are dedicated to making our educational resources accessible to all and look forward to welcoming eligible schools to National Museums Scotland. 

By participating in our workshops, schools agree to adhere to the above terms and conditions. NMS reserves the right to modify these terms and conditions at any time. 

July 2024