Pre-booking is essential.
Tel: +44 (0)20 8312 6608
Fax: +44 (0)20 8312 6522
E-mail: bookings@rmg.co.uk
(9.00-16.00, 7 days a week)
Key Stage 4 Programmes at the Royal Observatory
Options | Planetarium | Workshops | Study Days | Resources | Booking
We offer a full-day, curriculum-linked programme for Key Stage 4 groups which includes:
- a workshop in the Lloyd's Register Educational Trust learning centre
- a self-facilitated visit to the amazing Weller Astronomy Galleries
- a planetarium show in the Peter Harrison Planetarium
- a time-slot in the lunch room
Up to two additional sessions can be booked on selected dates to extend the standard programme into a specially-tailored Study Day, including:
- Astronomy Masterclass on your choice of curriculum-linked topics
- a talk and Q&A session with a research astronomer
Our programmes for schools are FREE, with the exception of planetarium shows, which carry a charge of £45 for groups of up to 15 children or £90 for groups of up to 30.
Curriculum-linked workshops and planetarium shows suitable for different age groups are available on different days, with a choice of sessions available on some days to best meet the learning objectives of your group.
Key Stage 4 options for 2011/12
| Workshop | Planetarium show | Day |
|---|---|---|
| Exploring Exoplanets or Studying Starlight or The Expanding Universe |
Solar System, Galaxy, Universe | Thursday |
| The Solar System and Beyond or Exploring Exoplanets |
Solar System, Galaxy, Universe | Friday |
| Study Day Extensions: Astronomy Masterclass and/or Meet the Scientist |
Selected Thursdays | |
Planetarium shows
Solar System, Galaxy, Universe
This new show explores the scale of the Solar System, galaxy and universe and how we measure it, investigating the structure of the universe from the smallest planets to the largest galactic superclusters. Read full details.
Workshops
Exploring Exoplanets (45m)
In this hands-on ICT-based session, students learn how astronomers discover solar systems around distant stars by making and analyzing measurements of their own model exoplanet system. Read full details
Studying Starlight (45m)
In this hands-on workshop, students learn how astronomers determine the properties of distant stars by examining emission spectra of different chemical elements. Read full details
The Expanding Universe (45m)
In this practical workshop, students work collaboratively to analyze real observations of galaxies and estimate the age of the Universe. Read full details
Solar System and Beyond (45m)
In this interactive ICT-based session, students use astronomical software to travel through the solar system, investigate the orbits of the planets, and explore how the mathematics which describes planetary orbits has been used to discover a massive black hole at the centre of our Milky Way Galaxy. Read full details
Study Day options
2011–12 Academic Year
Available to KS4 groups on 20 October 2011, 24 November 2011, 15 December 2011, 26 January 2012, 9 February 2012, 23 February 2012, 1 March 2012, 8 March 2012, 15 March 2012, 22 March 2012, 29 March 2012, 26 April 2012, 31 May 2012 and 28 June 2012.
Astronomy Masterclass
Taught by an ROG astronomer, masterclasses link to areas of the KS4 specifications and draw on cutting-edge observations and current astronomical research. Choose from: Galaxies & Cosmology, Stellar Evolution, Astrobiology, Cosmic Impacts & Observational Astronomy.
Meet the Scientist
In this inspiring session, students will hear about exciting areas of ongoing astronomical research from a scientist who has worked in that field, learn about the wide range of careers open to science graduates, and have the opportunity to ask questions about astronomy and working in science.
Related resources
| Resource (PDF) | Description |
|---|---|
| Colour and Wavelength in Space | An activity to motivate or reinforce learning about the electromagnetic spectrum in which students compare and contrast views of the Sun and the Milky Way Galaxy in different wavelengths of light. |
| Rotational Period of the Sun (Higher Level) | A classroom activity in which students learn how the rotation of the Sun can be measured through Doppler-shifted emission lines and estimate the errors associated with this measurement. |
| Galaxy Zoo and the Universe | A classifying and plotting activity based on the Citizen Science project ‘Galaxy Zoo’ which explores issues of sample size and personal bias as well as the distribution of galaxy types in the Universe. |
| Galaxy Zoo and the Universe (Higher Level) | A classifying and plotting activity based on the Citizen Science project ‘Galaxy Zoo’ which explores issues of sample size and personal bias as well as the distribution of galaxy types in the Universe. |
| Radius and Volume of Exoplanets | A classroom activity in which students use data from NASA’s Kepler space probe to determine the size of an exoplanet. Suitable for advance KS3 and all KS4 students. |
| Kepler’s 3rd Law | A classroom activity in which students explore the relationship between the distances of planets from the stars they orbit and their orbital periods. Suitable for advanced KS3 and all KS4 students. |
How to book a visit
Booking a visit is easy. Just contact the Bookings Unit via phone or e-mail and provide them with the following information:
- A preferred date for your visit and possible alternatives
- Your choice of workshop and/or planetarium show
- The learning needs of your group and any special needs
- Whether or not you will need a slot in the lunch room
- Confirmation that at least 1 adult per 8 children will accompany your group
Our bookings team will be happy to answer any additional questions you have and provide you with further information about our programmes and your visit.
Bookings Unit
T: 020 8312 6608
F: 020 8312 6522
E: bookings@rmg.co.uk