Planetarium for schools

School visits
 
 


Visiting the Planetarium
 
A visit to a planetarium can be invaluable in communicating ideas of scale and distance in space. Such things simply do not fit into books, or even classrooms! The huge domed screen gives a sense of immersion and the whole experience is awe-inspiring and memorable.
 
The DCSF suggests a visit to a planetarium in year 5 to aid teaching of the Earth, Sun and Moon topic.
 
Schools may book planetarium shows as a stand-alone activity. However, we would recommend also spending time in our exhibition spaces! For more about what we offer schools, prices and for help with planning a visit, see the Education section.
 
If you want to extend the Space theme, we have special events for KS2 to post-16 during World Space Week (5th-9th Oct 2009). These action-packed days cost no more than a normal visit!
 
Please note we currently do not have any shows appropriate for children younger than yr1 and do not take planetarium bookings for these age-groups.

To book, call Jane King on 01962 891 900.
 
 
Practicalities
 
We ask that teachers and helpers sit amongst the students to aid discipline during the show. Teachers will be provided with red torches which can be used, if necessary, to provide reassuring light or to aid exit during the show. However, discipline is rarely a problem as the students are generally very well engaged.

Any show can be followed by a Q&A session, although sometimes staffing may mean this isn't possible with film shows (in which case you will be told when booking). It may be possible to arrange visiting academics or space engineers to do Q&A with older groups, although this is obviously subject to availability of our volunteers.

Our planetarium seats 176, so you may share your show with another school-group of similar age/ability.

Members of the public are allowed into school shows in strictly limited numbers. They are told that the show is directed at the school group, and rest assured the presenter's attention will be focussed on your group.


Available shows
Appropriate key stages are suggested for each show. Note that younger children may still enjoy 'older' shows if they have done project work on an area or are G&T. Please ask for guidance if this is the case.
 

LIVE SHOWS

 

• Neighbourhood Earth (40min + Q&A, KS1-3) – we think this is the best show for KS1-2. Neighbourhood Earth was designed around the National Curriculum). A live presenter tailors the show to the ability of the group and takes questions at the end. The show for KS2+ contains a loud bang - please ask if you would like to be warned when this will occur so that a child can cover their ears / briefly leave the planetarium if necessary. Pre/post-visit KS2 resources available for free download. Full details...

  

• Alien Worlds (40min + Q&A, KS3+) NEW - live show designed for KS3+. Considers the properties of the Earth that make it appropriate for life and control the environment, visits other places in the solar system where life might lurk, and then considers whether life might exist around other stars, how we can find it and whether we could contact or meet aliens anytime soon. Full details...


• Flight Through the Universe (30min + Q&A, KS2+) – a live show with visuals controlled in real-time, giving a flight through the Universe. The presenter is sat at the back so this show is not as interactive as Neighbourhood Earth nor does it give such a balanced overview of the subject. Good if you want a tour of the planets or just to inspire/wow your kids, but note that younger kids might get very excited so this isn't so good if you want them to listen silently! Perfect for science clubs or as a special treat.

 

• Bespoke shows (30min + Q&A, KS4+ only) – KS4 and post-16 groups may be interested in a bespoke show based on a ‘live fly’ experience where our presenter flys in real time around the observed universe. We can display the magnetosphere, satellite orbits and zoom out to the edge of the Observable Universe. We can also show the sky as observed at different wavelengths. Smaller groups may be interested in getting students to make observations while in the Planetarium. Please get in touch to discuss what we can do for you.

 

 

FILM SHOWS

 

• We are Astronomers (24min, KS3+) NEW – made for International Year of Astronomy 2009, aimed at KS3 school groups. Super-stylish show. Explains what an astronomer is and how they work in worldwide networks to manage the large amounts of data they collect. Includes the electromagnetic spectrum, James Webb Telescope and Large Hadron Collider - feels more educational than the Black Holes show. Contains scenes potentially dangerous to photosensitive epileptics. Doesn't include a lot of 'flying through space'. KS3 teacher comments "Awesome, unmissable, mindblowing", "Stunning. The way the show was put together was fantastic". One opupils wrote on the show's website: “"im 12, and today i watched We are astronomers, we were the first people to watch it at the Intech planetarium, i thought it was brilliant and it really inspired me!". More details on the show website at http://weareastronomers.com/. This show was funded by the STFC and a consortium of planetariums including INTECH.


• Cosmic Journey III (22min, KS1-2) – a flight around our solar system, visiting the major objects and considering whether there might be life out there. Good if you particularly want to see the planets, which are not covered in detail in Neighbourhood Earth. Older groups (yr8+) might find the American voice-over patronising. Not a huge amount of content so kids more likely to chat at times, but a lovely gentle ride.

 

• Astronaut (22min, KS1-4, good for SEN) – find out what it takes to be an astronaut. A great fun show covering how astronauts are trained, how space affects their bodies (nice biology section) and the dangers they face (including funny cartoon sequence). A good overview of the issues involved in human space flight. This is the most popular pre-recorded show for family groups. Includes two short sections of flashing images potentially dangerous to photosensitive epileptics - if you like we can warn you before these occur so that eyes can be covered (please let us know when booking). This show does not include very much 'flying through space'.

 

• Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity (25min, KS3+, good for PMLD) – stellar evolution, the Big Bang, distortion of spacetime (lovely scene showing distortion of a 3D grid) and Black Holes! The science gets pretty advanced but everyone will love the stunning and dramatic presentation. Stylish in a way that older groups will appreciate. Nice as a treat!

• Two Small Pieces of Glass (24min, KS2+) - pre-recorded show made for International Year of Astronomy 2009. Presents the history of telescopes, the science behind their optics (eg chromatic aberation) and how they are used. Lots of content. The science is KS3+ but the cheesy American delivery feels more KS2 and may put off older/cooler groups. Best for yr6? Would be interested to hear feedback from teachers to help advise future bookings.


Don't see what you were looking for? Let us know what you would like us to develop in future. It takes a lot of time and money to produce a fulldome show but if you tell us what you'd like to see then we'll do our best to make it available in future.

Last Modified: 09/06/2009