Teach Primary Issue 18.6

www.teachwire.net | 83 A s a former science teacher, I've often asked myself ‘How can I make learning fun?’. At Winchester Science Centre, I finally got the answer to my question: I saw a group of children enjoying a show in our planetarium. They were engaged, asking questions and excited by the topic they were learning. At its core, a planetarium is a theatre with a 360-degree projection dome that can be used to provide education and entertainment about astronomy. But that’s the dictionary definition. I want to tell you how a planetarium is so much more than that, how it can provide a vital resource when it comes to planning a school trip, and just how absolutely awesome it is to visit one. For many of us, especially children, it’s hard to imagine what the universe is like from facts and figures alone. I can't picture what the 151.96 million kilometres between Earth and the Sun looks like. And can you imagine a planet so big it can fit over 1,000 Earths inside? Being inside a planetarium helps make concepts like these much easier to understand. The audience becomes immersed in the solar system and can build a real connection to it. A visit to a planetarium provides an enhanced experience that it isn’t easy to reproduce in a classroom. You’ll zoom into space on a journey of discovery, flying to moons, planets and constellations, while a presenter delves into topics like why Venus is so hot, or what the giant red dot on Jupiter actually is. I encourage my team of planetarium pilots to get children to look more closely at the celestial world above them, to ask questions and be curious. By looking at the night sky, we can highlight key constellations that children can spot when they go home. This is so important as, once pupils leave us, there are few opportunities for them to interact with space; but the night sky is an easily accessible resource. It’s moments like this that I love, and which make the topic of space become relatable, excitable and easy to digest. What if your nearest planetarium is too far away to visit, though? Well, you can hire a mobile, inflatable one! Imagine how excited your pupils would be if you turned your school lunch hall into a space portal. A mobile planetarium is generally smaller than a fixed one. Ours fits up to 40 pupils, so if you had a full-day visit you could take around six classes on a space adventure. Just like a fixed planetarium, a 360-degree projector and planetarium expert bring space to life right in front of your pupils’ eyes. The children could be learning how to spot the North Star, discovering the scale of our solar system or building cross-curriculum links by looking at ancient cultures and locational knowledge. Intrigued? Don’t book just yet – I’ve got some top tips for you first. It’s important you find out as much as you can about the planetarium show before you visit, so you can prepare your pupils and tailor activities in the lead up to the trip. Or why not ask the venue what content they would suggest? They may be able to create a bespoke show for your pupils that supports their current learning, or something brand new that will stretch their horizons. I'd also recommend asking how the venue can support the accessibility and sensory needs of your group. A planetarium can be an unusual environment for children who have never experienced one before. I promise it’s a magical experience that they’ll remember forever, but it can also be dark and loud. Most venues will be able to help with this through pre-show familiarisation, social stories, ear defenders and tactile resources. So, are you ready to go to space and back again? Helmets on, ignition engaged, blast off! TP To space and back again – IN ONE SCHOOL DAY Dr Nikhil Mistry is head of curiosity at Winchester Science Centre F EATURE S S C I ENC E Dr Nikhil Mistry explains why planetariums make perfect educational visits “It’s hard to imagine what the universe is like from facts and figures alone”