History

Explorers & Famous People

Set off with history's greatest explorers and meet the people who changed the world. Cross the Atlantic with Christopher Columbus, step onto the Moon with Neil Armstrong, fly with Amelia Earhart, and discover how Florence Nightingale changed nursing.

1,800+
Students per year
383,000+
Students reached
EYFS–Y6
All ages welcome
Students learning about famous explorers and historical figures

Duration

35–40 mins

Class Size

Up to 32

Suitable For

KS1–KS2

What's Included

VR + Resources

Discover the individuals who shaped our world

The Explorers & Famous People workshop uses immersive VR to bring six significant individuals to life: Christopher Columbus, Neil Armstrong, Amelia Earhart, Captain Scott, Florence Nightingale and Ibn Battuta. Students discover that history is made by real people with courage, determination and vision.

The six span 700 years, four continents, the South Pole and the Moon — so students can compare journeys by sea, by air, across the ice and into space. Along the way they see how individual actions, ambition and compassion can change the world.

Book a full-day visit and choose a different VR topic for every year group — making it super specific to each class's curriculum and exceptional value for money.

Immersive VR Experience

Immersive VR Experience

Each session includes a Virtual Reality segment where students are transported back in time. Using class sets of VR headsets, children explore 360° recreations of historical environments — from walking through ancient temples to witnessing the Great Fire of London.

360° Environments
Fully immersive historical recreations
Shared Headset Experience
One headset between two, per screen time recommendations
Guided Experience
Facilitator-led narration throughout
Curriculum Aligned
Mapped to National Curriculum KS1/KS2

Six VR scenes, adapted by age

Every activity is designed to bring history to life. Your facilitator selects and adapts activities based on the year group.

1

Christopher Columbus

Join Columbus as he sails across the Atlantic in 1492 with three ships — the Niña, the Pinta and the Santa Maria. Students find out how long the voyage took, what he was hoping to find, and where he actually landed.

All year groups
2

Neil Armstrong

Travel to 1969 and the first Moon landing. Students follow the three-day journey of around 240,000 miles and hear the famous words Armstrong spoke as he became the first person to walk on the Moon.

All year groups
3

Amelia Earhart

Meet the pilot who became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean, at a time when most people had never been in an aeroplane. Students discover how she showed that women could be great explorers too.

All year groups
4

Captain Scott

Head for the bottom of the world with Captain Scott and his team as they try to reach the South Pole. Students see the ice and snow they crossed, the sledges they pulled and the clothes they needed to survive the cold.

All year groups
5

Florence Nightingale

Meet the Lady with the Lamp. Students find out how Florence Nightingale cared for wounded soldiers during the Crimean War, why she carried a lamp at night, and how her work changed nursing.

All year groups
6

Ibn Battuta

Follow one of history's greatest travellers. Ibn Battuta spent 30 years journeying through Africa, the Middle East and Asia by camel, boat and on foot — visiting 44 countries, covering about 75,000 miles, and writing down everything he saw.

All year groups

What students take away

Every session is designed around measurable outcomes that align with the National Curriculum and build historical thinking skills.

Understanding significant individuals

Students know major explorers and figures who shaped history and understand their contributions.

Geographical awareness

Students understand exploration, discovery, and how the world came to be mapped and connected.

Courage and determination

Students appreciate the courage, determination, and vision required to achieve extraordinary things.

Cause and consequence

Students understand how individual actions and discoveries shaped historical events and modern world.

Year 4 students were inspired by these historical figures. They discussed not just what explorers found, but the challenges they faced and the mistakes they made. One girl said: 'They didn't know what they'd find, but they went anyway. That's so brave.' Real inspiration for young minds.
Year 4 Teacher
Primary School, Cornwall

Simple, transparent pricing

We bring everything — facilitator, VR headsets, resources, activity kits. You just tell us the date and year groups. No hidden costs, no extras.

Half Day

Up to 4 sessions
£599
Up to 4 workshops · £4.68 per pupil
  • 40 min (Y3–6) · 35 min (Y1–2 & EYFS)
  • Up to 32 pupils per session
  • EYFS–Year 6 adaptable
  • VR & all resources included
  • Dedicated facilitator

Sample full-day timetable

Here’s how a typical full-day VR history workshop fits around your school day. KS2 sessions run 40 minutes; KS1 & EYFS sessions run 35 minutes. We’re flexible — we’ll work around your timetable.

9:00–9:40
Session 1
Y3 · 40 min
9:45–10:25
Session 2
Y4 · 40 min
10:25–10:40
Morning break
10:40–11:20
Session 3
Y5 · 40 min
11:25–12:05
Session 4
Y6 · 40 min
12:05–1:00
Lunch break
1:00–1:35
Session 5
Y1 · 35 min
1:40–2:15
Session 6
Y2 · 35 min

Mix and match your workshop day

Schools love booking a VR History day alongside our hands-on Future Skills workshops — giving students a full spectrum of immersive learning experiences in a single day or across the term.

View Future Skills Workshops →
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Bring this workshop to your school

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Have a question before you book?
Email us at hi@spark2.org — we reply within one working day.