Royal Observatory onsite school sessions

What would you pack in your suitcase for a trip to the Moon? Our space explorer Ted is going on a journey to the Moon and you’re invited! 

In this interactive multi-sensory workshop students will: 

• Learn about the needs of humans (and teddy bears) in space
• Explore the surface of the Moon using the senses
• Discover what a space mission is really all about  

It’s hard for our minds to take in the vastness of Space. This interactive workshop explores our place in the Solar System and beyond. 

In this session, students will: 

• Learn about the Sun and how it powers our Solar System
• Explore how and why all the planets are so different
• Discover what’s beyond our Solar System and reflect on our place in space. 

Each Discovery Day includes a lunch space for each class as part of the schedule. 

Available for Summer Term bookings only. 

Astronomers Take Over

Royal Observatory Greenwich is undergoing an astronomical transformation. While this is happening, the astronomers who work there have packed up and moved into the National Maritime Museum. This is your chance to meet the astronomers and ask them all the things you have always wanted to know about space. Be careful though – the crates contain mysteries to uncover. You never know what you might find.

What you will see  

Astronomers Take Over is split into zones where you can meet the team, ask your questions and try your hand at some science demonstrations.

This includes:  

• learning about the Sun-Earth-Moon system and the reason for the seasons
• exploring features of Mars, the adventures of Martian rovers and the people involved
• discovering stars, galaxies and how big our Universe is
• completing a scavenger hunt for interesting objects astronauts have taken to space.  

Unboxing the Universe is an exciting live science theatre show that supports the KS2 science curriculum while inspiring curiosity, questioning and awe.

Through multisensory demonstrations and interactive moments, pupils explore key concepts in space, forces and light.

Pupils will investigate questions such as:

• How does light travel through space, and what can it tell us about distant stars and planets?
• What forces are needed to launch a rocket?
• Can anything travel faster than light?
• What really is a black hole? 
   

Delivered live by a member of our Astronomy Team, the show encourages scientific enquiry, critical thinking and pupil-led questioning. Content is carefully pitched for KS2, with clear explanations, memorable demonstrations and opportunities for discussion.

Links to KS2 Science:

• Earth and Space
• Forces
• Light
• Working scientifically 

Kindly supported by Bloomberg and CGI, and special thanks to Michael Edwards OBE.

Astronomers Take Over

Royal Observatory Greenwich is undergoing an astronomical transformation. While this is happening, the astronomers who work there have packed up and moved into the National Maritime Museum. This is your chance to meet the astronomers and ask them all the things you have always wanted to know about space. Be careful though – the crates contain mysteries to uncover. You never know what you might find.

What you will see  

Astronomers Take Over is split into zones where you can meet the team, ask your questions and try your hand at some science demonstrations.

This includes:

• learning about the Sun-Earth-Moon system, with seasons, phases and eclipses all covered
• exploring features of Mars, the adventures of Martian rovers and the people involved  
• entering immersive installations that will highlight the vastness of the Universe  
• completing a scavenger hunt for interesting objects astronauts have taken to space. 

Each Discovery Day includes a lunch space for each class as part of the schedule. 

Tour the Solar System and learn about the wide range of environments within it, the challenges of exploring this vast region, and what lies beyond!

Everything in the Solar System is nearby in an astronomical sense, but compared to life on Earth it is vast and varied! A journey around the celestial neighbourhood will reveal some of its workings, and diverse environments including moons, asteroids, planets and more. No one show will be able to cover everything, so the audience will help the astronomer choose what to concentrate on.

Astronomers Take Over

Royal Observatory Greenwich is undergoing an astronomical transformation. While this is happening, the astronomers who work there have packed up and moved into the National Maritime Museum. This is your chance to meet the astronomers and ask them all the things you have always wanted to know about space. Be careful though – the crates contain mysteries to uncover. You never know what you might find.

What you will see  

Astronomers Take Over is split into zones where you can meet the team, ask your questions and try your hand at some science demonstrations.

This includes:

• hearing from world-leading scientists to find out how they control Mars rovers from Earth to explore its landscape and conditions, the types of jobs they do and how that could be you in the future
• doing hands-on activities to demonstrate what are stars made of and how the light they emit helps us understand their composition
• exploring how technology has advanced to capture images of objects and galaxies millions of kilometres away  
• entering immersive installations that will highlight the vastness of the Universe.  

Inspire your students with the Universe in images  
Featuring over 100 stunning images of planets, galaxies, nebulae and the night sky, the exhibition brings cutting-edge astronomy to life through stunning space photography in the ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year Exhibition.  

• Ideal for KS3 and above, the exhibition supports learning in Physics (Space and the Universe), STEM, and Art, helping students explore light, telescopes and astronomical phenomena in an engaging, visual way. 
• Students will discover how astronomy connects to potential careers that link creativity and technology together.

Our lovely historic site at Royal Observatory is also still open for self-guided visits. This will be free for school groups who have also booked an Astronomy Exploration Day and £1 a person if booked as a stand alone visit. 

For downloadable school trails of the historic Royal Observatory site, please visit this page.

Please note that the National Maritime Museum and the Royal Observatory Greenwich are separated by a 15 minute walk which includes a steep hill.