Due to the popularity of our programme, Space Explorers sessions for 2023 are now sold out. Dates are available from February 2024. If you would like to visit, please fill in the enquiry form linked below.
If you would prefer to visit this year, you are welcome to book one of our Planetarium shows for the public, which will cost our standard Planetarium show pricing.
If you have any questions, please contact ROGAstronomers@rmg.co.uk.
If you are a Scouting or Girlguiding group leader looking to provide the opportunity for your members to obtain their space badges, or you are simply looking for an exciting day out for your troop, our Space Explorers programme may be exactly what you are looking for.
Recently redesigned from the ground up with input from Scouting and Girlguiding group leaders, we have refocused on providing the specific requirements of each group's space objectives so that, within one morning of astronomy fun, your group will have prepared everything they need to complete their associated badge.
If you would to visit us, please fill in our Enquiry Form and a member of our team will be in touch to discuss your visit.
I will be bringing...
Beavers
Our Beavers Space Explorers programme includes everything needed to achieve their Space Activity Badge.
Planetarium Show (for groups of up to 120 people)
The planetarium show for Beavers will cover basic things you can spot in the sky on the night of your visit and an introduction to the planets in our Solar System.
Workshop (for groups of up to 35 people)
In the workshop, each child will decorate a planet in our Solar System, focusing on what features are found across the different planets.
Additional Activities
There is also the option to book a lunch space (for groups of up to 35 people) and/or a self-guided visit to the Historic Observatory site.
Take-home activities will be provided that can be completed either individually or as a troop, finishing any requirements not directly covered on the day. For Beavers, these will be designed to help identify different objects in the night sky, provide a guide to finding constellations and more.
Please note: For Beavers, we require 1 adult for every 5 children.
Rainbows
In the Rainbows Space Explorers session, the space aspects of the Explore Stage 1 Badge will be covered.
Planetarium Show (for groups of up to 120 people)
The planetarium show for Rainbows will cover basic things you can spot in the sky on the night of your visit and an introduction to the planets in our Solar System.
Workshop (for groups of up to 35 people)
This workshop will involve making their own sundial and testing it out for themselves.
Additional Activities
There is also the option to book a lunch space (for groups of up to 35 people) and/or a self-guided visit to the Historic Observatory site.
Take-home activities will be provided that can be completed either individually or as a troop, opening them up to even more topics in space and astronomy.
Please note: For Rainbows, we require 1 adult for every 5 children.
Cubs
The Astronomer Badge requirements will all be covered in the Cubs Space Explorers session.
Planetarium Show (for groups of up to 120 people)
The Cubs show looks at constellations and some other things you can spot in the sky on the night of your visit.
Workshop (for groups of up to 35 people)
This workshop will cover making a 3D model of the solar system, with each child contributing to a model made in small groups.
Additional Activities
There is also the option to book a lunch space (for groups of up to 35 people) and/or a self-guided visit to the Historic Observatory site.
Take-home activities will be provided that can be completed either individually or as a troop, finishing any requirements not directly covered on the day. For Cubs, these will test their ability to distinguish different objects in space, give them a guide on how to observe the Sun in safety, and help them research their own topics in astronomy.
Please note: For Cubs, we require 1 adult for every 8 children.
Brownies
This session will provide all you need to complete the Brownies Space Badge.
Planetarium Show (for groups of up to 120 people)
The Brownies show looks at constellations and some other things you can spot in the sky on the night of your visit.
Workshop (for groups of up to 35 people)
In this workshop, each child will make their own pinhole camera in your workshop and, weather permitting, use it to safely observe the surface of the Sun.
Additional Activities
There is also the option to book a lunch space (for groups of up to 35 people) and/or a self-guided visit to the Historic Observatory site.
Take-home activities will be provided that can be completed either individually or as a troop, finishing any requirements not directly covered on the day. For Brownies, these will help guide you as you design an astronaut training programme and design your own constellation.
Please note: For Brownies, we require 1 adult for every 8 children.
Younger Groups
We don't currently have a custom offer for younger groups (Squirrels). However, if you would like to visit us and take advantage of our reduced Space Explorers programme prices, we would be able to offer the following.
Planetarium Show (for groups of up to 120 people)
The planetarium show we would offer would be Ted's Space Adventure.
Additional Activities
There is also the option to book a lunch space (for groups of up to 35 people) and/or a self-guided visit to the Historic Observatory site.
Please note: For Squirrels, we require 1 adult for every 5 children.
Older Groups
We don't currently have a custom offer for older groups (Scouts, Guides, Explorers, Rangers, Network). However, if you would like to visit us and take advantage of our reduced Space Explorers programme prices, we would be able to offer the following.
Planetarium Show (for groups of up to 120 people)
The planetarium show we would offer would be The Sky Tonight.
Additional Activities
There is also the option to book a lunch space (for groups of up to 35 people) and/or a self-guided visit to the Historic Observatory site.
Please note: For Scouts and Guides, we require 1 adult for every 10 children. For Explorers and Rangers, we require 1 adult for every 16 children.
Mixed Age Groups
If you plan to bring a mixture of groups with you, please read the above session descriptions to decide which option(s) will best suit your group.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do you charge for this programme?
Our current prices are £5 per child. For each group, we require a certain number of adults for every child, these adults go free. Any additional adults are £10 each.
How many people can I bring?
Our planetarium show capacity is currently 132 people. To book a workshop and/or a lunch space you must bring less than 35 people. We require you to bring a minimum number of 15 children to book this programme.
When do these sessions run?
Our Space Explorers programme run on available Saturday and Sunday mornings, with the first activity beginning at 10:30am.
How long does each activity last?
The planetarium show and workshop will each last around 30 minutes with additional time for any questions where timing allows. If you opt for a lunch space, this will be available to you for 30 minutes. Self-guided visits have no set length, you are welcome to explore in your own time.
I have another question.
Please send us any other questions you have about this programme to ROGAstronomers@rmg.co.uk.
Risk Assessments
Please feel free to download the relevant risk assessment for our Space Explorers workshops:
For the rest of your visit, please use the guidelines provided here to provide your own risk assessments as needed.