Shows for schools

Our shows for schools are primarily aimed towards key stages 1 and 2. However, they can be adapted to suit a younger or older audience. For a younger audience, a shorter show may be more appropriate and the price of a single show will be reduced to reflect this.

Once inside, a typical 1 hour show begins with a look at the relationship between the Earth, Moon and the Sun and discussion of some key concepts such as why we have seasons. Next is a guided tour of the night sky, highlighting the most common constellations. Finally, all that enter the dome will be taken on a virtual trip around our solar system. From fiery landscapes to frozen wastes, we visit each planet and explore its place in our solar system.

If required, we can also offer up to an hour long Q and A session to help with some of the more difficult Astronomical topics, or even just to satify the more curious minds. We also provide each venue with a pack containing activities suitable for a range of ages and abilities.

We try to address the relevant sections of the National Curriculum for Science, for each age key stage and year group, but if you have specific requirements or topics that you would like to cover, please let us know prior to our visit. Currently for KS1, there are no statutory requirements of the Science curriculum that directly relate to Astronomy and Space, but some of the material we cover is of relevance.

Shows for Scouting and Guiding groups

Due to the number of different requirements for badges for Scouts and Guides, our shows will be more tailored to your specific needs and we will discuss these with you when you contact us.

It may be that you wish to combine different groups to reduce costs, or that the a show would have to cover a greater range of ages than normal. Whatever your requirements, we will make sure that we cover the basic requirements for badges.

Please note that we do not offer an outdoor planetarium. You must have the use of a suitable venue such as a large hall. Please see the Venue section of this page for information on the space required.

Applicable badges:- Space (Beavers & Brownies), Astronomer (Cubs and Scouts), Astronautics (Scouts), Science and Technology (Explorers).

Capacity

The dome can accommodate up to 30 children plus 2 – 3 supervising adults, or 20 adults at one time. Therefore groups in larger numbers will have to book multiple shows. However, we do offer a discretional discount for multiple shows. If required, we are able to deflate the dome between two successive shows should you need access to the area in that time, such as for school lunches.

In the event of an emergency, for example a fire alarm, the audience do not have to exit the dome in the same manner they went in. Instead, the side of the dome will be lifted over the audience and they will all have ‘exited’ the dome within approximately 10 seconds.

Accessibility

We aim to make the experience accessible to all. If any your group have specific SEND requirements, please discuss this with us prior to our visit. We can then  make appropriate arrangements.

Venue

Unfortunately, we do not offer outdoor shows; our planetarium is only available to indoor venues. Should you require a planetarium for outdoor use, we may be able to help you locate one.

To hire the planetarium, you will require a venue such as a large hall. The venue must be big enough to accommodate the dome and leave enough room for accessibility. The dome itself requires a floor space of 6.4m x 6.4m and a minimum ceiling height of 3.2m (21ft x 21ft by 10.5ft high), with no sources of heat, or sharp edges immediately adjacent to the dome when inflated.

We require 30 mins setting up time before your first scheduled show. Access should be arranged and the area cleared prior to our visit. The same time should be allowed at the end of the visit, to deflate the dome and pack everything away. If the location has to be cleared between shows, such as for school lunches, the dome can be deflated and the equipment moved to one side. Reinflation of the dome and setting the equipment back up in this case, will take approximately 15 to 20 mins.

Access to the venue should ideally be level, with few steps/stairs to negotiate. The ability to park our vehicle as close to the venue as possible would be appreciated, even if it it solely while unloading and loading the equipment. A single 13A socket must also be available for providing power to the equipment.

Example Pricing

All example prices are based on standard one hour show duration within our operating area. We do not charge VAT.

No deposit required.

Contact us for a quote based on your exact requirements.

* Savings compared to individual shows on separate visits.