Can schools borrow real meteorites?
Yes, in many countries. National loan schemes, universities and museums lend sealed meteorite and lunar sample kits to schools, usually after a simple certification.
Seeing a real meteorite makes a lesson memorable, and many schools can borrow one free or at low cost.
In the UK, a national research council has long run a loan scheme that lends schools, colleges and community groups a set of meteorite specimens, and sometimes genuine Apollo Moon samples, sealed in clear acrylic blocks so they can be handled safely. Borrowers usually need to complete a short online training or certification, arrange secure storage and return the kit after a set period. Similar schemes operate in other countries, including NASA's lunar and meteorite educational disks in the United States.
Local museums are another option. Many have outreach teams who visit schools with handling collections, or run workshops on site. University earth science and physics departments often take part in outreach and may bring specimens to science weeks. Astronomy societies and meteorite enthusiasts sometimes give talks with real samples.
If you buy specimens for school use, choose reputable dealers, ask for the official name and classification of each piece, and look for sturdy samples such as iron meteorites or ordinary chondrite slices. Small, inexpensive pieces are fine for handling. Keep a record of each specimen, store irons in a dry box with silica gel to prevent rust, and include them in your school's inventory of valuable equipment.