Presentations cover the nature of our Sun and stars generally, solar system bodies, day & night, years, distances, phases of the Moon and the apparent motions of the Sun and stars. The significance and location of “The North Star” is explained to the older children. Mythological figures are used to illustrate tales from Ancient Greece whilst graphically demonstrating the motion of stars across the sky and finally, a full northern starfield is projected as an introduction to navigating the night sky by reference to the star patterns within the Greek constellations discussed earlier. This latter projection is for many children a quite unique and stunning awakening: sadly owing to light pollution few of them will have experienced such a display 'in real life'.
Presentations are also offered to KS1 classes: they include similar material to that of the KS2 sessions but the language is simplified where necessary and some of the more difficult ideas are omitted: this also allows the session lengths to be a little shorter, as appropriate to the younger children. Various images from deep space are included as an illustration of imaginary pictures to be found in the sky before looking at the Greek constellations and northern starfield.
It may be that you are planning to study the Moon Landings or perhaps the planet Mars in more detail. If you wish, "Earth & Space" sessions can be adjusted to include an overview of either of these exciting topics.
Presentations cover the fundamental concepts of light sources, shadows / shading and darkness. Eclipses and phases of the moon are explained as are the practical uses of shadows in sundials and illustrations. Optical effects such as reflection, magnification, the mixing of coloured light and rainbows are also discussed and demonstrated in the darkened planetarium dome.
Presentations aimed at KS1 begin with a short story to gently ease children into the subject of darkness and move on to address the concepts of light and dark, discussing how sunlight combined with a body’s rotation produces day and night on the Earth, Moon and all planets. The nature of darkness is graphically demonstrated and after discussing man’s approaches to coping with darkness, we look at various animals adapted to living in dark places or preferring to be awake at night. Sessions draw to a close with the children sitting under a beautiful starry sky.
Presentations are timed to make full use of the time available whilst having regard to the age of the children and your school’s individual time constraints. Sessions are usually 40-55 minutes for "Earth & Space", 50 minutes for "Light (& Shadows)" and 40 minutes for "Light & Dark".
An additional 5 minutes 'turn around' is programmed between successive sessions.