Key Stage 3

Team Challenges.

Telescope Discovery Tour and Workshop.

Twilight Visit.

National Science and Engineering Week.

This is a very popular package with both pupils & group leaders - reinforcing the maxim that ‘science can be fun!'  
The cross-curricular challenges are intended for a range of abilities to encourage pupils to work together to develop team skills and also confidence as an individual.

Dependent upon the number of pupils you bring and the amount of time you can spend at The Centre, the visit usually includes:

• 30 / 40  minute telescope tour
• 2 or 3 challenges
• Opportunity to explore the hands-on exhibits (indoors & out)
• Lunch break and time to visit the shop

You will be given a structured timetable for your visit and before you leave we will announce the team winners. Pupils remain under the supervision of their team leader at all times.

The Challenges are set against the clock; some are our own creation, whilst others will be a twist on a more familiar format.

• Bridge Building - fastest time wins with the construction of this large wooden truss bridge
• Tower Construction - tallest tower wins using our shaped foam blocks- we expect at least 2 ½ metres!
• Tower of Hanoi - our own version of this amazing logical maths puzzle
• Launch Pad - a favourite straw & paperclip construction activity
• Locks - crack the code to open the padlocks
• Lost in Space - Option 1 -reassemble the planets in their correct order - but don't fall off your gravity blocks or you will be Lost in Space.  Option 2 - a more challengingversion of the above, involving a variety of space objects.       

These challenges can be mixed & matched in any number of ways.  For example, Bridge Building, Tower Construction and The Launch Pad would be a suitable combination of physical challenges with an emphasis on construction; whilst the 'table based' Locks and Tower of Hanoi would be suitable for more logical brains.

Cost
£5.95 per pupil
Supervising adults FREE - 1 adult is required per team.

This package was launched during 2009, The International Year of Astronomy with the aim of enthralling and educating pupils with tours and archive handling; plus a telescope making workshop activity.

Pupils will discover how the astronomers would have worked at The Royal Observatory, how the telescopes were used and what can be learnt from them.

Groups of pupils have a structured timetable including three x 30 minute sessions:

• How a refractor telescope works, plus archive handling.
• How a reflector telescope works, plus archive handling.
• Telescope making with lenses and tubes.

In between these staff led sessions will be the opportunity to explore the hands-on exhibits indoors and out (weather permitting) and to visit the café and shop etc.

Throughout the visit the pupils must remain under the supervision of their group leaders.

Cost
£5.95 per pupil
Supervising adults FREE - 1 adult is required per group.

Visiting The Centre after normal daylight hours 'The Observatory in the Dark' is an exciting experience for everyone.  A Twilight Visit is a year round option but if the emphasis for your visit is astronomy, then it is best to book between October - March.

The group will have a worthwhile visit, regardless of the weather, but viewing through a telescope can only take place if weather conditions are favourable. 

Groups arrive at whatever time suits them mid / late afternoon or early evening and usually the timetable for the visit is as follows:

Arrive to explore the hands-on exhibits in the main corridor.  The outdoor exhibits may / may not be accessible depending on light levels.
Tea will then be available consisting of jacket potato with cheese and beans, muffin, piece of fruit and a drink. (other options can be discussed with the cafe manager).
The atmospheric Telescope Tour will then take place led by science centre staff - with actual viewing through a historic telescope subject to weather conditions.

Cost
Admission, Hands-on exhibits, Catering and Telescope Tour
£9.25 per pupil, minimum charge for 20.
All Supervising adults admission FREE, catering £4 pp if required.

Important Information
Twilight Visits require particular regard for Health and Safety, especially if the visit is completely after sunset.  Risk Assessments are available.

Everyone should wear appropriate clothing for the weather conditions and remember that the temperature can drop rapidly and there is no heating in the telescope domes. Pupils can bring a torch if they have one (preferably red light for astronomy, but not essential).

The visit will proceed regardless of weather conditions and viewing through a telescope is not guaranteed.  The telescopes cannot see through cloud, nor can they be set up quickly if there is a brief break in cloud cover.

12th - 21st March 2010.
Each year The Centre offers a special activity for NSEW and for
Key Stage 3 pupils this is a Lander Workshop.

When explorer craft are sent to other planets, a ‘Lander' is often sent to investigate the surface.  Students will be given criteria to consider and will work in groups to design and make a ‘Lander' from assorted junk items. The pay load will be a raw egg and the ‘Lander' will be attached to a water rocket and fired!

Cost and How to Book
Lander Workshop and Hands-On Exhibits (indoors and out)
£5.25 per pupil

ALL supervising adults free of charge.

The workshop lasts approximately 1 hour and groups will participate throughout the day.

This is always a very popular time for schools to visit and places are limited so we recommend that you contact The Centre to book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

If you are planning your own science week at a different time please enquire as to the availability of this workshop.