Pupils from three classes at Pewsey Primary School learnt about the solar system and space travel when Simon Ould brought his mobile planetarium ‘Space Odyssey’ to the school today, February 5.
There was mounting excitement as all twenty five reception class pupils entered the planetarium dome, set up in the school hall. The 360 degrees 3D digital dome experience introduced pupils to the different planets and the position of earth in relation to these.
Through an animation children followed astronaut George on his travels around the solar system. They were also introduced to the constellations of stars to be seen in the night sky.
The children have been studying space as a topic this term. They have been learning about the solar system and the importance of the sun. They have made papier-mâchéplanets and built rockets. A cress growing experiment has been carried out to show the importance of sunlight for plant growth.
There is even a replica space shuttle which is set up as a quiet writing space in the classroom. The space theme is particularly pertinent in this the fiftieth year anniversary of man’s landing on the moon.
Vicki Reade is the reception class teacher: “The mobile planetarium brings the idea of space to life for the children. It consolidates their learning on this topic and takes it to another dimension!”