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Mobile Planetarium School Workshops

Space show

Scientific Enquiry We want to stimulate curiosity in science for all, regardless of age, gender, background or ability. Our science shows: Allow for questions to share interests and explore ideas Treat every child as unique, supporting personal development Promote observation, prediction and exploration Encourage imagination, creative and critical thinking Support and enhance the Curriculum across subject areas

Age Groups

All Year Groups

Regions

We are based in Bristol

Key Stage Four - ages 14-16+

Key Stage Four - ages 14-16+

The origin of the universe and the evolution of stars. Cosmology, constellations, observational astronomy and astrobiology. The relevance of space science in our lives today and the possibility of life on other worlds.

Key Stage Three - ages 11-14

Key Stage Three - ages 11-14

An inspiring tour of our sun, solar system, galaxy and beyond. Our sun as a star, its birth, death and the evolution of other stars. Refresh your knowledge about the spin, orbit and axial tilt of the Earth and navigate through the seasonal night sky tonight with the legends from ancient Greek mythology.

Key Stage Two - ages 7-11

Key Stage Two - ages 7-11

Explore the sun, planets and dwarf planets in our solar system, and find out what happens to stars at the end of their lives. Then go star-spotting to discover the constellations as they will appear tonight and discover the stories behind them through the gods and heroes, myths and monsters from Ancient Greece.

Key Stage One - ages 5-7

Key Stage One - ages 5-7

The awe and wonder of space: a story-telling introduction to the earth, moon, sun and stars. Recognise that the sun is a star, find out why the sun moves across the sky, look for different phases of the moon and discover how to spot the pictures and stories in the stars.

EYFS Foundation Stage - ages 3-4

Foundation Stage - ages 3-4

A story-telling introduction to the moon, stars and the beauty of the night time sky. Find out how to see a picture of Orion as a dot-to-dot in the winter sky and hear some of the wonderful stories written into the stars.

Cost

Our prices depend on where you are, what sort of shows you would like and how many shows you need. Shows in our Standard and Large Domes, and our Chemistry shows are all priced separately. See below for current guide prices, but if in doubt, or if you would like a combination of shows, then please just get in touch.

Booking our Standard Sized Dome

Our Standard Dome accommodates up to 30 (EYFS/KS1/2), 25 (KS3) or 20 (KS4/adult) students per show and requires a smooth clean floor area of 6m x 7m, a clear ceiling height of 3.5m and access to mains power.

Booking our Large Sized Dome

Our Large Dome accommodates up to 40 (EYFS/KS1/2), 30 (KS3) or 25 (KS4/adult) students per show and requires a smooth clean floor area of 8m x 9m, a clear ceiling height of 3.5m and access to mains power.

Booking our Chemistry Shows

The Bubble Show, States of Matter and Science Tricks shows don’t use the Dome and are suitable for up to 70 (EYFS/KS1/2) or 60 (KS3/4+) students per show. High ceilings and the capability to isolate heat/smoke detectors are a big plus as these shows involve freezing fog, fire, flashes and bangs!

Bristol and Bath

All schools in Bristol, BANES (Bath and North East Somerset), South Gloucestershire and North Somerset will be offered a local discount for any Dome or Chemistry shows.  

For the Standard Dome, the cost for local schools is:  

  • £390 + VAT for a morning of up to 3 shows, plus £110 + VAT per additional show
  • A full day of shows can usually accommodate up to 6 or 7 shows (£720 + VAT)

 

For the Large Dome, the cost for local schools is:

  • £490 + VAT for a morning of up to 3 shows, plus £120 + VAT per additional show
  • A full day of shows can usually accommodate up to 6 shows (£850 + VAT)

 

For Chemistry shows, the cost for local schools is:

  • £390 + VAT for a morning of 1 or 2 shows, plus £150 + VAT per additional show
  • A full day of shows can usually accommodate up to 4 shows (£690 + VAT)

 

NB: Schools booking Chemistry shows in Bristol, Bath and some parts of Somerset, Gloucestershire, Swindon and Wiltshire may receive support from the RSC. The RSC may fund up to 40% of the cost of your chemistry show visit, however, the allocation of these funds is annual and distributed on a first come first served basis so please enquire for more information.  

The South-West of England & South Wales

For schools in the South-West of England and in South Wales (including Somerset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Monmouthshire, Newport, Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent, Cardiff, Caerphilly, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Vale of Glamorgan, Bridgend & Neath Port Talbot).

For the Standard Dome, the cost for schools in the South-West is:

  • £540 + VAT for a morning of up to 3 shows, plus £110 + VAT per additional show
  • A full day of shows can usually accommodate up to 6 or 7 shows (£870 + VAT)

 

For the Large Dome, the cost for schools in the South-West is:

  • £650 + VAT for a morning of up to 3 shows, plus £120 + VAT per additional show
  • A full day of shows can usually accommodate up to 6 shows (£1010 + VAT)

 

For Chemistry shows, the cost for schools in the South-West is:

  • £540 + VAT for a morning of 1 or 2 shows, plus £150 + VAT per additional show
  • A full day of shows can usually accommodate up to 4 shows (£840 + VAT)

 

An extra charge for travel may be made for schools further from Bristol (Dorset, Hampshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Swansea, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Devon, Cornwall, Birmingham and the West Midlands).

NB: Schools booking Chemistry shows in Devon, Cornwall, and parts of South Somerset may receive support from the RSC. The RSC may fund up to 40% of the cost of your chemistry show visit, however, the allocation of these funds is annual and distributed on a first come first served basis so please enquire for more information. Preference will be given to schools with postcodes in the lower deciles of the Indices of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) for England.  

Greater London & the South-East of England

Space & Body shows - we have a team based in London offering the Space and Body shows with no further travel costs for schools in the boroughs of Greater London (see cost guide for South West above).

Please bear in mind that Explorer Dome’s main base is in Bristol, any other shows will be presented by the Bristol team and that there will be an extra charge for travel.

For the Standard Dome, the cost for schools in London and the South-East start at:

  • £660 + VAT for a morning of up to 3 shows, plus £120 + VAT per additional show
  • A full day of shows can usually accommodate up to 6 or 7 shows (£1020 + VAT)

 

For the Large Dome, the cost for schools in London and the South-East start at:

  • £770 + VAT for a morning of up to 3 shows, plus £130 + VAT per additional show
  • A full day of shows can usually accommodate up to 6 shows (£1160 + VAT)

 

For Chemistry shows, the cost for schools in London and the South-East start at:

  • £660 + VAT for a morning of 1 or 2 shows, plus £165 + VAT per additional show
  • A full day of shows can usually accommodate up to 4 shows (£990 + VAT)

 

An extra charge for travel/overnight accommodation may be made for schools further from Bristol (East London, Kent, East Sussex, and the East of England).

Further afield
We enjoy travelling far and wide from the Highlands of Scotland to the Channel Islands and regularly tour internationally. We’d be delighted tto hear from you wherever you are and we can give you a quote for your visit.

Afternoon visits
A reduced rate may be available for afternoon visits (these can usually only accommodate 1 or 2 shows), if we are already at another local school in your area for a morning visit on the same day. 

Large schools/events
For events with large numbers of participants we can bring one or more of our larger Domes, do a combination of our Domes shows and our Chemistry shows, or stay for more than one day. 

Event Days
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British Science Week, International Astronomy Day, World Space Week
Available Regions
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We are based in Bristol

This service is available internationally

Locations in England
Berkshire, Bristol, Buckinghamshire, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Greater London, Hampshire, Herefordshire, Isle of Wight, London, Oxfordshire, Somerset, Surrey, Warwickshire, West Midlands, West Sussex, Wiltshire

Anywhere in Wales

About This Provider (Explorer Dome)
Explorer Dome logo, white on black
Head Office: Explorer Dome, Bristol, Bristol City, BS8 2AG

Hands-On Science We believe that the best way to learn is by doing – that’s why all of our shows are fully interactive, making Explorer Dome shows 100% presenter-led, hands-on and unforgettable! “I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.” (Confucius) Lively, Knowledgeable Presenters Our brilliant presenters are at the heart of everything we do here at Explorer Dome. When you book a visit from us, you are signing up to receive the best quality science shows from presenters who are experienced, highly trained, passionate and rigorous about the science and, most importantly, fun! Science for Everyone Discover a huge range of topics that bring science to life for audiences of all ages, genders, backgrounds and abilities. Inclusive education is at the heart of what we do and we visit schools, colleges, adult education, teacher training, festivals and special events and, as we pitch the show for your group, no two shows are ever the same!

Contact Explorer Dome (External Provider) to book this Workshop.
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