For KS1-2, we recommend ‘Neighbourhood Earth’, which has been developed in line with the National Curriculum. Having a live presenter allows the show to be tailored to the ability of the children. Pre/post-visit KS2 resources are available for free download.
For KS1, there is a simplified version of the show with an extra stage demo about light sources and reflection, and without the more potentially ‘scary’ sections.
Neighbourhood Earth has been produced in partnership with Global Immersion, and features high-quality full-dome video, a specially commissioned soundtrack and interactive sections with the opportunity for a question and answer session at the end.
The standard KS2 show contains the following sections:
· Earth: our home, our changing view of space (rotation/orbit using volunteers)
· Sun: the Sun as a giant explosion and light source (KS3+: nuclear fusion)
· Moon: surface features, not a light source, why we see phases
· Orientation: finding the plough, North Star, how the stars seem to move
· Constellations: seasonal constellation(s), mythology
· Planets: a brief look at any planets visible tonight, then all 8 orbiting the Sun
· Dark skies: stars are different (Sun as a star), supernovae, nebulae
· Galaxies: the Milky Way as a galaxy, there are lots of galaxies, galaxy distribution
· Earth: sense of scale. Final attempt to inspire people to look up into the sky!
The show has relevance to the following sections of the science curriculum:
• KS1
Sc4 Light and Sound
3a To identify different light sources, including the Sun
• KS2
Sc4 The Earth and beyond
4a That the Sun, Earth and Moon are approximately spherical
4b How the position of the Sun appears to change during the day
4c How day and night are related to the spin of the Earth on its own axis
4d That the Earth orbits the Sun once each year, and that the Moon takes approximately 28 days to orbit the Earth
• KS3
Sc4 The Earth and beyond
4a How the movement of the Earth causes the apparent daily and annual movement of the Sun and other stars
4b The relative positions of the Earth, Sun and planets in the solar system
4c About the movements of planets around the Sun and to relate these to gravitational forces
4d That the sun and other stars are a light source and that the planets and other bodies are seen by reflected light
4e About the use of artificial satellites and probes to observe the Earth and to explore the solar system
• KS4
Sc4 The Earth and beyond
3a The relative positions and sizes of planets, stars and other bodies in the universe. (comets, meteors, galaxies and black holes) [note that the show does not normally include comets/meteors/black holes although these can be discussed in the Q&A session]
3b How gravity acts as a force throughout the universe
3c How stars evolve over a long timescale
3d About some ideas used to explain the origin and evolution of the universe
Feedback for Neighbourhood Earth:
Pupils from Hook-with-Warsash Primary School:
"I learnt that the stars and sky are so amazing and that it's worth looking out of your window at night"
"I want to visit again because it looked like that we were going into space!"
"My favourite part in the show was the gigantic explosion of the star because it made me jump and it was a fantastic moment"
"We learnt a lot but we think the most interesting thing was when you said how big the stars were"
Teacher comments about Neighbourhood Earth:
"Planetarium talk absolutely superb. Perfect" (KS2 feedback form)
"All children thought planetarium excellent" (KS2 feedback form)
"Planetarium very knowledgeable & answered questions well" (KS3 feedback form)
"Planetarium was excellent, level just right" (KS3 feedback form)
"The planetarium produced oohs and aahs from the pupils - always a good sign for the modern generation of learners and the speaker held them for the whole session pitching the presentation at exactly the right level" (KS3 unsolicited feedback)
Last Modified: 22/04/2009