The Stardome education crew are ready to hit the road all year round. All you need is an open space and a class full of curious minds. Our crew will come onsite equipped with their knowledge of Space to run your selected Roadshow programme, filled with curriculum-linked activities.
Select from the below Roadshow programmes and flick us an email on education@stardome.org.nz today to book the crew in for an out-of-this-world adventure…without even leaving the school gates!
$2 per student.
Roadshow Programme Options
Sun Smart
Slip, slop, slap, wrap, and step into your space suit, Stardome is taking you on a trip to the Sun and back. Understanding the power of the Sun is important in New Zealand, and this outreach programme reinforces being sun-smart. The Sun Smart Roadshow programme uses astronomical concepts to take students on a journey to the centre of the solar system to learn more about our star.
Sundials – In small groups, the students will get to make a paper sundial or become human sundials in this experiment that tracks the path of the Sun.
Sunbeads – Sunscreen is so important in New Zealand. Using sun beads the Stardome team will demonstrate how sunscreen works and students will learn about UV radiation and other types of light.
Astronomical Units – Using an outdoor space, students will measure an astronomical unit (AU), scaled down to fit into a school field. Using a small-scale version of the Sun, your class will walk to Earth, stopping at Mercury and Venus on the way. This experiment requires 60m of open space.
Pipehenge – Suited to small groups of students, the Pipehenge is a portable structure that shows the path of the Sun in different seasons and how the Southern Cross can point you south. The Pipehenge is 2m x 4m (hxw) and can be installed indoors or outdoors.
Curriculum links: Levels 1 and 2
Contact us to book now – education@stardome.org.nz
Matariki
Did you know that Matariki star cluster is visible almost all year? The Matariki festival and celebrations are getting bigger every year, but you don’t need to wait until festival time to learn about the importance of this cultural event and its link to astronomy. Give your students a head start on the celebrations with a Matariki school visit.
Meet the Stars – To learn more about Matariki, the Stardome team will begin with the Maori legend of Tāwhirimātea before explaining some of the astronomical features of the star cluster. Your students will learn the size, distance, temperature and age of the stars and how scientists figured that all out! A projector is required for this part of the programme.
Astronomical Movements – In this activity, students will physically recreate movements of Earth and the Moon to make observations of the stars. This activity requires a large open space, like a school field or hall.
Digital Sky – In small groups students will work together to view the night sky using an iPad. We take a tour of the sky including the night sky during the Matariki festival. We’ll bring 15 iPads along for this exercise.
Curriculum links: Levels 1 and 2
Contact us to book now – education@stardome.org.nz
Myths and Legends
Throughout history and across the globe, the stars have been used to tell tales of monsters, villains, heroes and adventure. In this Roadshow programme, your students will explore the myths and legends and learn more about the changing night sky.
Meet the Stars – To begin, the Stardome team will tell a tale from Māori and Greek folklore. Students will be able to compare the similarities in the stories told half a world away from each other. A projector is required for this part of the programme.
Astronomical Movements – Many star-stories have origins in the constellations in the zodiac. In this activity, students will act as the zodiac symbols while exploring Earth’s orbit and why the view of the night sky changes. This activity requires a large open space, like a school field or hall.
Digital Sky – In small groups students will work together to view the night sky using an iPad. We take a tour of the sky visiting Matariki, Maui’s fishhook and Scorpius. We’ll bring 15 iPads along for this exercise.
Curriculum links: Levels 1 and 2
Contact us to book now – education@stardome.org.nz
The Human Alien
Under construction!
The Human Alien is a new Roadshow programme designed for intermediate school age, which focusses on leadership and team building. The crew will be ready to deliver this programme early 2018, so check back here soon to keep an eye out for its launch!