School Workshops
Space Science and Climate Change
What exactly is going on with the Earth’s climate? What’s causing this – and how can space science help?
This engaging and informative programme answers these questions through a series of age-appropriate, drama-based activities exploring the fragile nature of Planet Earth, the human-made origins of climate change and some of the ways that space science is helping us combat it.
Introduction
Space Science and Climate Change exists in a number of formats, allowing a member of our team to work with the whole of up to a two-form entry school in a single day, or deliver longer, more in-depth workshops for classes or year groups of your choice. The workshops harness a range of immersive techniques (including drama and games) to cement prior learning, clarify difficult concepts, introduce new content and extend thinking.
A whole-school day comprises …
An interactive assembly, A Fragile Earth, demonstrating just how unique and fragile our planet is, exploring why it’s imperilled climate change – and what is causing those changes.
EYFS/P1 – The Climate of the Seasons: how does our climate change with the seasons? Why is this so important?
Years 1 & 2/P2 & P3 – The Umbrella Effect: what role does the atmosphere play in looking after our planet? And how can space science help keep this protective umbrella intact?
| Year Groups | EYFS – KS2 |
|---|---|
| Curriculum | Science / Space |
| Pupil Numbers | Up to 60 pupils per workshop |
| Duration | 1 lesson / 60 minutes |
| Space | School Hall |
Years 3 & 4/P4 & P5 – The Climate Change Story: what is the story of climate change – and how can space science change the next chapter? And just why did no-one believe scientist Eunice Newton Foote when she predicted climate change over 170 years ago?
Years 5 & 6/P6 & P7 – the Energy Enigma: our thirst for energy is powering climate change – but can we put the brakes on by changing the ways we generate our energy? And how is Katherine Johnson, the mathematical marvel behind the Apollo moon missions, helping us in the battle against climate change today?
Workshop FAQs
How many pupils can take part?
Space Science and Climate Change can accommodate up to 60 pupils at a time, in sessions lasting as little as one hour, meaning it is usually possible to accommodate the whole of a two-form entry school in a single day, or deliver longer, more in-depth workshops for classes or year groups of your choice.
What is the format of the day?
We will work with you to plan a timetable for the workshops, to suit the number of classes you would like to include – and around the specific timings of your school day. In a two-form entry primary school (with all year groups apart from Reception taking part in groups of up-to 60), the timetable might look like this:
09.00 – 09.20: (optional) Whole-school assembly, where your visitor will introduce the day…
09.20 – 10.00: Year 1 stay in the hall for their workshop …
10.00 – 10.40: Year 2 come to the hall for their workshop …
10.40 – 11.20: Year 3 come to the hall for their workshop …
11.20 – 11.50: One Reception class have a visit, in their own setting …
LUNCH
1.00 – 1.30: The other Reception class have a visit, in their own setting …
1.30 – 2.10: Year 4 come to the hall for their workshop …
2.10 – 2.50: Year 5 come to the hall for their workshop …
2.50 – 3.30: Year 6 come to the hall for their workshop.
Are there any technical requirements?
Your visitor will need access to a laptop/ screen/projector so that pupils can view the supporting PowerPoint throughout
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