School visits 2023 - 24

Due to popularity, Discovery Day sessions for all key stages are very limited for the rest of this academic year. If you would still like to visit, there are Planetarium show-only slots available, as well as self-guided visits to the historic buildings of the Royal Observatory. 

We have temporarily suspended our Digital Outreach programme. Please keep an eye on this page for updates. 

Details on our programme for 2024-25 academic year will be published in the Summer term. 

To keep up to date on announcements and news, sign up to our Schools Newsletter.

At the Royal Observatory Greenwich we want to inspire and assist in the learning of all things space and astronomy!

On this page you find information about our schools programme, our free classroom activities and digital resources, along with opportunities for teachers and students to get more involved with our programmes.

If you're interested in maritime, history, and art school sessions, you can check out the other learning programmes at other Royal Museums Greenwich sites here.

Royal Observatory onsite schools programme

Bookings for our onsite schools programme for academic year 2023-24 are now open! Take a look at our onsite programme to see what sessions we have on offer.

Please note that there is limited availability remaining for this academic year. Details regarding the 2024-25 academic year will be available in the Summer term. 

Digital outreach programme 

For schools that might not be able to visit us, we'll be offering digital outreach sessions in 2023-24. Take a look at our online outreach programme to see what we have on offer.

 

Onsite sessions - find out more Digital sessions - find out more

Ready to book a school session?

If you already know what sessions you'd like to book, here are some quick links to get your booking with us underway.

Booking a digital session Booking an onsite session

What's new

Here's a selection of new things we've been working on this past year!

Think Space Lectures

Listen to astrophysicists from across the UK talk about cutting edge research in space science

Pluto and the Dwarf Planets

Royal Observatory Greenwich astronomers explore Pluto and explain why it's not considered a planet anymore.

Astronomy Ambassadors Group

Meet other like-minded young people between 16 and 21 years old and become a part of the Royal Observatory's future

Space and astronomy highlights in 2024

Want to know what to see in the night sky in 2024? Royal Observatory astronomers pick out the must-see moments

Our Sun

Join astronomers from the Royal Observatory Greenwich to find out more about our life-giving star.

Teacher opportunities and training

Find out how to connect with us and what we can offer you

Sign up to our mailing list

Be the first to find out about the development of our schools programme and new learning resources.

Teacher Forum

Find out more about our Teacher Forum for primary and secondary education

Free teacher training with the Royal Observatory Greenwich

We offer free training for teachers and trainee teachers

Online FREE Primary Teacher Training Course

The science learning team have teamed up with FutureLearn to create our first ever online course designed specifically for teachers and teachers in training at primary level.

Online FREE Secondary Teacher Training Course

The science learning team have teamed up with FutureLearn once again, to create an online course designed specifically for teachers and teachers in training at secondary level.

Networks and forums

Find out more about networks for presenters and forums for teachers and community leaders at Royal Museums Greenwich

Student opportunities and further learning

Check out the resources and experiences we have on offer for your students to help them explore astronomy further

Royal Observatory Greenwich Schools Podcasts

The astronomers at the Royal Observatory Greenwich have a large selection of podcasts for you to choose from.  Whether your interest is in the current night sky, cutting edge science or the career path of people working in the industry there will be something to suit.

Astronomy Ambassadors Group

Meet other like-minded young people between 16 and 21 years old and become a part of the Royal Observatory's future

Astronomy blog

Read our monthly guides to the night sky, and check out the latest news from the Royal Observatory Greenwich astronomy team

Think Space Lectures

Listen to astrophysicists from across the UK talk about cutting edge research in space science

Work Experience

Gain valuable skills with work experience at Royal Museums Greenwich

Astronomy careers information

If you're interested in a career in astronomy or space science we'd love to help you get started.

Astronomy and science learning resources

Find all of our classroom activities and animated videos here

Applied FiltersAstronomy
Video
The Origin of the Elements
The Universe we see today is made from particles arranged in a wide variety of elements, but where did it all come from?
Key Stage:
Key Stage 4, Post-16
Subject:
Astronomy, Science
Video
What is Gravity?
From Newton’s longstanding ideas to Einstein’s revolutionary theories, Royal Observatory Greenwich astronomers explain how our understanding of gravity has changed from looking at how gravity affects us in our daily lives and how it governs what we observe in space.
Key Stage:
Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4
Subject:
Astronomy, Maths, Science
Classroom activity
Exploring moons
Our Moon is just one of many moons in the solar system. Join Royal Observatory Greenwich astronomers as they explore some of the different properties and characteristics of a few weird and interesting moons orbiting around the other planets.
Key Stage:
Key Stage 2, Key Stage 3
Subject:
Astronomy, Maths, Science
Classroom activity
Calculating where Space begins
In this classroom activity students use real data with the physics of forces and circular motion to calculate the altitude at which space begins.
Key Stage:
Post-16
Subject:
Astronomy, Maths, Science
Classroom activity
Conservation of Momentum
In this practical activity students explore how momentum is conserved when two objects collide.
Key Stage:
Key Stage 4
Subject:
Astronomy, Maths, Science
Classroom activity
Formation of the Solar System
A classroom activity in which students learn about the main steps in the formation of our Solar System by completing a crossword and creating their own comic strip.
Key Stage:
Key Stage 2, Key Stage 3
Subject:
Astronomy, Science
Video
How did the Solar System form?
We know about the planets, moons and space rocks that make up our Solar System. But where did it all come from? 
Key Stage:
Key Stage 2
Subject:
Astronomy