Science Talks and workshops for schools

Our Solar System Tour talk is all about the wonder of our Solar System. Learning about the planets of the Solar System is a highlight for most EYFS and KS1 children, and in our Solar System Tour, we take that deeper. Of course, we talk about the planets, but we add in some of the best moons out there that will amaze your little learners. We show them the Solar System they know - but add in something unexpected that even your class space buff might not know about! Talk includes a quiz and time for questions.

We’re yet to meet a child (or adult) who is not intrigued by aliens! This talk is all about the best places in our Solar System where life could actually be hiding, waiting for us to find it. We talk about the basic recipe ingredients we need for life and show some awe-inspiring NASA images of moons of the outer Solar System where these conditions could be met. We also talk about what life may look like in alien oceans, which is guaranteed to get your class thinking! Talk includes a quiz and time for questions.

Our Pixel Planets workshop is a fusion of science and art. The session includes a talk about the planets and moons of the Solar System (with a quiz and time for space questions) and a hands-on activity of making their own mosaic planet. The children will be given a mosaic board and a selection of tiles to make their own design planet, which they will be able to take home with them and forever remember the activity. This workshop is brilliant for helping children explore the diversity of planets, experiment with colour, improve fine motor skills and express their individuality.

Our Alien Sea Creature Quest workshop is an indoor telescope experience. The session includes a talk about the ocean moons of the outer Solar System (with a quiz and time for space questions) and a hands-on activity of using a small telescope to find alien sea creatures that have come to visit the school! This workshop gives students the chance to use a small telescope themselves in their school hall and see first-hand how the image is magnified. They also get the opportunity to dream up their own sea creatures and form their own opinions on what they think aliens could really look like.

Lunar exploration is back with a bang! This talk is perfect for bringing KS2 and KS3 children up to speed with the Artemis Programme - NASA’s current lunar programme that will see humans back on the Moon in the next few years. The talk is about what we know about the Moon from Apollo, what we are trying to do with Artemis and what this means for humans exploring the Solar System. We also look at the other countries trying to reach the Moon; is this the start of another space race? With a quiz and time for questions included, this session is an interactive and informative session guaranteed to entertain.

We explore some of the most energetic events in the cosmos; asteroid impacts! In this talk, we shine a spotlight on the rocks shaping the worlds around us. Most children know that an asteroid is blamed for the extinction of the non-avian dinosaurs, not many know that we know the crater where it hit! This talk greatly expands the knowledge of KS2 and KS3 learners about asteroids, meteorites and (light-hearted) planetary defence. There’s plenty of audience participation and we will bring our meteorite collection for students to see pieces of other ancient worlds. An aspirational talk to ignite curiosity for exploration.

Our Planet-Changing Pixels workshop is a combination of our ‘Planet-Changing Collisions’ talk with a hands-on mosaic workshop. In the mosaic workshop, students make their own meteor and have the chance to put their own unique spin on their creation. They can take the design home with them to remember the experience. This workshop was originally set up with funding from the RAS, so in addition to the in person experience, the students will have access to online activities and teachers will have access to some free learning resources around this topic to use with their students. Students will also be shown some meteorites from our collection.

Come look back in time with us! In this workshop, we will take you and your students on an adventure through space and time! This thought-provoking workshop will have your students questioning where they are in the universe and looking at stars differently. It's perspective-changing stuff! By looking at the Plough, a well-known asterism in the sky, we look at light travel time. We think about what was happening on Earth when the light left the stars in the Plough that we are receiving today. On top of this, each student will use basic electric components to make their own light up asterisms to take home.

Astrobiology is fast becoming a hot topic in Planetary Science; and it's all about finding aliens. In this talk, we combine astronomy, biology, robotics and planetary science to try and make sense of the huge puzzle of where to look for life off Earth. Do we look to planets around other stars? Or are there moons in our Solar System that might have the perfect conditions for life? Further to that, we explore what life is and the kind of creatures we think could survive in different environments that are extreme compared to Earth. This is a tremendously fun talk to inspire big dreams in your learners.

KS4 and KS5 teenagers are forever asking us questions about black holes; the most elusive objects in the universe. Something about the unknown is deeply attractive to study! In this talk, we cover what we know about black holes so far. We answer questions like, “What happens when something falls into a black hole?” and “How do we study something we cannot see?”. Our talk is informative and entertaining, making the topic of black holes relevant and reachable for KS4 and KS5 students. By the end of the talk, students will be able to make up their own mind as to whether black holes deserve the villainous reputation they have!

In KS4 and KS5, students are starting to develop their own views on our planet, Earth. In this workshop, we explore a scenario where the Earth is no longer habitable. In teams, students must work together to bridge the gap between real science and sci fi and overcome challenges that come their way. From rocket choice, packing lists, interstellar travel and exoplanet choice - we let the students choose their own destiny! Will your students pick a plan where humanity will survive or will they lead us to ruin? Either way, this workshop is full of laughter, learning and creative application of science and technology.