Date & Time: Tuesday, 27th May 2025, 4–6 PM
Location: Club Room, Saltdean Community Centre, The Oval Park, Saltdean Park Rd, Saltdean, Brighton BN2 8SP.
Level: Complete Beginner (age range 8-14 years old, adults 18+)
Spaces: limited to 12 adult-child pairs for a bespoke experience.
Price: Family ticket: £50 per pair (adult and child)
Buy your ticket: here
Discover the hidden world in moss using a microscope
This is a unique opportunity for spending quality parent-child time exploring moss using a microscope. This educational and fun experience is crafted especially for curious kids aged 8–14 and their parents who want to explore nature together. This hands-on, microscope-based adventure is designed to spark a love of science, foster quality family time, and uncover the hidden wonders of the moss world. Perfect for parents, grandparents, aunties, uncles to share an exciting session of exploration together.
What is Moss Safari?
Moss Safari is a fantastic activity that engages youngsters and adults with a little known world right on our door step. Moss is incredible in itself, but within it lives an entire ecosystem. With a microscope, you can search for the microscopic Big Five animals and meet a whole range of other incredible organisms.
Moss Safari featured on the BBC Live Science Lesson in 2024, is used by schools around the UK and across the world. Dr Andy Chandler-Grevatt, Moss Safari’s founder visits primary and secondary schools, researches and writes articles to support teachers and technicians and has just completed his book on Moss Safari. The aims of Moss Safari are to connect people with nature, inspire people to do microscopy as a hobby and to encourage youngsters to be scientists of the future.
What to expect from the session
- An introduction and live Moss Safari on a big screen
- A microscope briefing – introducing how to use the microscope
- About one hour using a quality microscope to explore your own moss sample at your own microscope station, under expert supervision
- You will be given a booklet to guide your expedition and identify the organisms that you find
- Short summary for questions and answers and feedback
After the workshop you will receive a certificate of participation and a small goody bag.
After the session there will be the opportunity to buy some Moss Safari merchandise (card only).
Reasons for coming to this unique session
• A Unique Parent–Child Bonding Activity • Perfect for Curious Kids Ages 8–14 • Encouraging connection with nature • Inspiring Science hobbies and careers • Quality time using a good microscope • Limited Spaces for an Bespoke Experience.
What to bring
We will supply you with moss samples, but encourage you to bring your own. Find a loose moss cushion and soak it in mineral water or rain water in a cool place for at least 24 hours before the event. Avoid digging up moss or peeling it from where it is growing. Bring it in a screw top or sealable plastic pot.
Smartphone or tablet to take photos of your finds.
Note: Participants may take photos of their moss and finds down the microscope. Please do not take photos of other participants without their express permission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do we need experience using a microscope? No. As long as you have heard of moss, know what a microscope is and have a curious mind, this is a unique activity for a parent and child to learn and discover together. You will be expertly guided by Dr. Moss and his assistant.
Why one adult and one child per microscope? This event is intended to be a high quality experience. You will be using a good quality microscope to observe your moss sample. In the hour allocated for this activity, working together as a pair will provide the best experience possible. More than two people per microscope dilutes the experience.
Is there Parking at Saltdean Lido? Yes there is, opposite the Lido is a car park. It is free if you put your registration into the terminal in the Lido reception at the start of your parking.
What does the price of the ticket cover? I know this session seems expensive. It is fully costed to provide a bespoke experience for a small group of people. Moss Safari is unusual as an event as it requires a lot of set up including the good quality microscopes to make sure your first microscope experience is a great one. The fee of £50 per pair reflects the specialist nature of the Moss Safari sessions, which combine high-quality equipment, tailored science content, and hands-on learning. This rate covers not only delivery time but also preparation, setup, pack-down, and the provision of microscopes, slides, live samples, and consumables. As an experienced science educator with DBS clearance and public liability insurance, I ensure that sessions are engaging, educational, and safe. The rate is in line with freelance STEM education standards across the UK and represents excellent value for a unique, expert-led experience. As I build the model, I intend to get other sources of funding to ensure that all families can experience Moss Safari within their budget.
I can’t attend this session, will there be other opportunities? Yes, please complete this Expression of Interest form and I will let you know when there is a workshop happening near you.
Any questions? Get in touch
Thank you for your response. ✨
Important Information
Once you have bought your ticket, you will be emailed all the information you need for this exciting workshop. Here are some general Moss Safari polices.
Cancellation policy
Tickets are non-refundable. However, do contact me if you are unable to attend as there may be a waiting list we can use to swap your ticket.
Safe guarding information
Andrew Chandler-Grevatt has an enhanced DBS certificate, available on request and has regular training in safe guarding. For events where under 18 year olds attend without their parents/ responsible adults, a safeguarding policy statement will be provided.
Health and Safety information
Full risk assessments are carried out for each event and shared with participants, organisers and location mangers. Please read and listen to all health and safety guidance for a safe and enjoyable experience.
Photographs and Photography
We love to have photos of our participants enjoying Moss Safari. However, we know that not everyone wants to be photographed. We have a permission form for adults and parents and guardians to agree to use photographs on Moss Safari blogs, social media, marketing and other publications.
Participants may take photos of their moss and finds down the microscope. Please do not take photos of other participants without their express permission.
VITTA Education work in collaboration with Moss Safari and have kindly supplied the microscopes that make sessions such as these possible.
We have partnered with the secure online ticketing services of Ticketebo for the provision of our tickets.
Buy online today by clicking here.
Moss Safari 