Key Stage 4

Team Challenges.

Telescope Discovery Tour and Workshop.

Solar Physics Workshop.

Twilight Visit.

National Science and Engineering Week.

Hands-on DNA: Exploring Evolution workshop

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
£6.45 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 via telescope tours and archive handling; plus a telescope making activity workshop.

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 there are opportunities to explore the hands-on exhibits indoors and out (weather permitting) and to visit the café / shop etc.

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

Cost
£6.45 per pupil
Supervising adults FREE - 1 adult is required per group.

This workshop uses specialised equipment and can enhance the GCSE Physics Curriculum by introducing solar physics in a way that is stimulating and engaging.
During the visit pupils will:
-study the solar spectrum and Fraunhofer lines to look at red and blue shift
-detect UV radiation
-construct a simple spectroscope
-use a sun spotter and solar telescope (weather permitting) to detect sunspot activity and prominences

This workshop was developed in 2008 following a grant from STFC.
In response to teacher feedback, the subject matter is offered in 'bite sized chunks' to give pupils free time to explore The Centre's hands-on exhibits in-between the structured activities.
The full timetable lasts 3 - 3  1/2 hours, but options can be discussed at the time of booking.

COST
£180 for groups up to 30 pupils.
Supervising adults FREE. 

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 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
£9.50 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.

15th - 24th March 2013
Each year The Centre offers a special activity for NSEW and for
Key Stage 4 pupils this is a Lander Workshop.

When explorer craft are sent to other planets, a ‘Lander' is often launched to investigate the surface.  Pupils are 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)
£5.50 per pupil
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

The Observatory Science Centre has been selected to be a key national partner in a new UK-wide Hands-on DNA: Exploring Evolution project.

‘A workshop that bridges evolutionary research and molecular biology techniques'

Hands-on DNA is a collaboration between the UK Association for Science and Discovery Centres (ASDC) and three partner centres, At-Bristol. Nowgen in Manchester and the Centre for Life in Newcastle and is supported by the Wellcome Trust. 

The workshop entitled Bacterial Evolution is relevant for KS3 & KS4 students and covers topics including DNA, evolution, enzymes, infection and immunity. Students will use state-of-the-art molecular biology techniques and equipment including:

• Gel electrophoresis.
• Restriction digests to manipulate and identify different strains of bacterial DNA.
• Micropipettes
• Gel loading techniques
• Interpretation of DNA fragment patterns using transillumination 
  

Considerations are given to the evolutionary pressures that act on bacteria. In particular, it looks at how Streptococcus pyogenes has evolved variants in one of its genes in response to pressure from the human immune system.

The workshop is run by highly qualified staff that are experienced in the use of molecular biology techniques and are skilled science communicators. 

Duration: 2.5 hours.

The successful trial of five workshops has now been completed and the project is being evaluated.

Please contact The Centre for further information about this workshop.