School Workshops
The Race into Space (Secondary Schools)
The Race is on to select Britain’s next astronaut – and it’ll be your students’ job to use a wide range of mathematical skills to decide who it will be!
Introduction
After being introduced to the six candidates (played by some of the students themselves), they’ll be guided through a process allowing them to use different areas of maths to eliminate candidates one by one – until only the best remains!
Existing in age-differentiated formats across KS3 and 4, The Race into Space can accommodate up to 60 students at a time. Individual workshops can last from a single lesson upwards – potentially allowing a member of our team to work with a large number of students in just one day. And The Race into Space can also form part of the menu of workshops in a Big Maths Day!
| Year Groups | KS3 |
|---|---|
| Curriculum | Maths |
| Pupil Numbers | 60 students per workshop, multiple workshops per day |
| Duration | One Day |
| Space | School Hall |
Workshop Testimonials
“I can’t thank you enough for all you did last week. I had so many teachers stopping me and telling me how amazing you were! The children loved every minute and I particularly liked the workshops – great to see the kids engaged, moving and working as a team as well as stretching their mental maths skills.”
“On behalf of the whole year 5 team, I just wanted to take the time to drop you an email to say yet again how inspiring today was for our pupils. The activities and wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm you brought were fantastic – a very special day indeed!“
“Jackson, thank you so much for yesterday! The whole school loved the assembly and the workshops. Such an exciting theme too. I will remind the classes about sending you their Moonbase designs, what a great idea!! I hope we can see you in person next year.”
“Thank you so much for yesterday! The whole school loved the (streamed) assembly and the workshops. Such an exciting theme too. I will remind the classes about sending you their Moonbase designs, what a great idea! I hope we can see you in person next year.”
“The students absolutely loved it! … They gained an understanding of how Maths is intertwined into our everyday lives. They saw the benefits of applying themselves in Maths because there are so many exciting opportunities that stem from Maths. Thank you to everyone at As Creatives!”
“We just wanted to say a huge thank you to ‘Major Tom’ for a wonderful day yesterday. All the children had a wonderful day and lots of the staff said it was one of the best workshops they can remember!”
“All the kids absolutely loved the workshops and there was a real buzz around school, especially when he entered assembly! It was great to see all to see all the children so engaged in their mathematical problem solving and applying their maths skills to ‘real life’ situations. A huge success.”
“Today is the start of Maths Week. Thank you to As Creatives for supporting us as we decide who should be the next British Astronaut!”
“The workshop was absolutely brilliant. I loved that nursery were included and the children were all very engaged. We will definitely be booking again – the children are keen to see Major Tom again – Thank you so much!”
Workshop FAQs
How many pupils can take part?
The Race into Space can accommodate up-to 60 pupils per workshop – that’s the whole of a two-form entry school in just one day!
What is the format of the day?
The day starts with a whole-school assembly where pupils will meet “Major Tom”. 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. There is a short follow-up activity to be undertaken back in the classrooms, which we provide for class teachers as a PowerPoint. The outcomes of these are shared in a closing assembly, so that the result of the overall challenge can be revealed. A typical timetable looks like this:
09.00 – 09.20: Whole-school assembly, where your visitor will explain how they need the children’s help …
09.20 – 9.55: Year 1 stay in the hall for their workshop …
9.55 – 10.30: Year 2 come to the hall for their workshop …
10.30 – 11.05: Year 3 come to the hall for their workshop …
11.05 – 11.30: One Reception class have a visit, in their own setting …
11.30 – 11.55: The other Reception class have a visit, in their own setting …
LUNCH
1.00 – 1.40: Year 4 come to the hall for their workshop …
1.40 – 2.20: Year 5 come to the hall for their workshop …
2.20 – 3.00: Year 6 come to the hall for their workshop.
3.00 – 3.15: Closing assembly where findings are shared and the outcome revealed.
Are there any technical requirements?
Your visitor will need access to a laptop/ screen/projector set up in the school hall, so that pupils can view the supporting PowerPoint.
Can we dress up?
Yes! Lots of the schools we work with choose to do this to really get into the theme of the day.
Are there any other whole-school Maths days?
Yes! if you’ve already enjoyed The Race into Space day then you might want to consider one of our other whole-school maths days which include; The Pirate’s Challenge, Riddle of the Shpinx, Times Tables Trattoria, and The Benefactor!
Are there any technical requirements?
Yes! you can purchase the Race into Space teaching pack and deliver the day yourself!
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