SCHOOL VISITS

We offer a wide variety of talks, demonstrations and activities. The information below covers a selection of events we have run in the past, but we are able to adjust according to age and interest of the audience.

Talks by scientists

Exploring the Solar System Learn about the nature of the planets in the Solar System and the distances between them.	All ages
The Sun our provider This talk covers the effects of the Sun on the Earth from the aurora to damaged satellites	All ages
Journey through the Sun Go on a journey through the Sun's layers from the centre out, learning about its energy source, size and violent activity	11 years +
Mission to Mars What are the condition on Mars like? Why do scientists think that water once flowed on the surface and will we ever find signs of life?	All ages
Express to Venus What are the conditions on Venus like? The European Space Agency has a mission on route to the planet also known as Earth's evil twin!	All ages
Cassini-Huygens to Saturn and Titan Learn about the mission to Saturn and why we have gone there. See amazing images and find out the latest results.	All ages
Impacts Find out about the devasting affects shooting stars have had on our planet.	All ages
Comets An introduction to the mysterious objects that live on the far edge of our Solar System. They may have bought water to the early Earth and even the seeds of life.	All ages
Cosmic collisions! There is a lot of space out there but still there are collisions in our Solar System and beyond. Did you know that even galaxies can collide?	All ages
The evolution of the Universe From the Big Bang, through star formation to the possible ends of the Universe. This talk covers it all.	11+
What use is space? Why do we go into space and what can we learn?	A Level
What would Einstein say about warp drive? An introduction to Einstein's theories and the wierd and wonderful things they predict	A level
The birth, life and death of stars Find out how stars live and how size determines whether they die with a wimper or a bang!	11+
Space careers Learn about the wide range of options of careers in space.	A level

 

Short Activities

Planespheres make a map of the night sky that can be used at any time of the year	7 years old +
The expanding Universe A practical which demonstrates how the Universe is expanding	Ages 12+
Curvature of space See how different masses warp space-time	Ages 14-18
Sundial Make a sundial and learn how to use it to tell the time	Ages 6-10
Astronomical distances Carry out an activity to learn how astronomers work out how far away some stars are	Ages 11-16

Workshops

Mars lander Design and build a Mars lander that will safely bring an egg down to the ground	All ages
Space engineering Design and build a structure to attach to the International Space Station	Ages 13 +
Solar System Design a mission to the planet of your choice convince a panel of experts why your mission is justifiable and what new science will be learnt.	Ages 14-18 years old
Sunspots and solar rotation Using a computer investigate the nature of sunspots and use them to find out how long it takes the Sun to rotate	14+

Demonstrations

Cooking up a comet We bring along all the ingredients you need to make a comet and cook one up infront of the students! Frozen carbon dioxide is used in this demonstration	All ages
Impact crater Find out how craters are formed using flour and sand.	Ages 5-10
Rocket launch Learn about launches by using a water rocket.	4-10 years old
Tour of the Solar System let us take your students through a computer generated tour of the Solar System.	All ages