Kielder Observatory Astronomical Society STEM Planetarium Workshops North East

After making a booking, we’ll be in touch to find out what you hope to get out of the visit and you can select the talk topics or science workshops you’d like from our list. Our team have experience with all Key Stages up to university level, so know how to keep each age group engaged.

We have also delivered successful parents evening activities so parents can experience the planetarium and have a taste of the national curriculum and the topics their children are learning about – we believe space is an inspiration for all and a great trigger for valuing STEM learning!

We are constantly developing our outreach programme to ensure content is up to date and adjusted for the school or venue we’re in. We’ve delivered on trains, in prisons, at shopping centres and the majority of schools across the region.

We want everyone to experience moments of inspiration, wonder and hope through observing the cosmos. A clear sky at Kielder is special: a reminder how lucky we are to be alive on this tiny little planet near one of the billions of stars in one of the billions of galaxies; the Kielder moment can transform people. For those who are not able to visit us in Kielder, we have been developing for several years a comprehensive outreach programme for bringing the inspiration of astronomy into the classroom (and everywhere else!)

We can send an astronomer to you to give a presentation on astronomy or cosmology, backed up by lots of great imagery. Our astronomers are experienced at giving talks to large groups, of all different backgrounds and will end with a Q&A session for all the questions your group can think of!

For something more interactive, we have developed a range of science workshops that are linked to the national curriculum and delivered hands-on to classes, a booking would for these would be a half day or full day with one or two astronomers. We may even be able to bring telescopes along to do some school yard observing of the moon or other bright objects.

For maximum engagement book a visit from our inflatable planetarium which involves two of our astronomers visiting; one delivers immersive shows inside the dome while the other runs the science workshops nearby, so we can interact with as many students as possible and to make the most of our time in your school. A planetarium booking is for a full school day as it takes time to set up and pack away and you need a space like a hall big enough (9m x 9m with at least 4m ceiling).

TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards 2023

Visit England Welcome accreditation 21-22

North East Tourism Awards Gold Award Winner 2022 for Small Visitor Attraction of the Year

Any size. Talks are best for large groups and workshops up to 30 students at a time. Capacity of the planetarium is: 30 primary school children, 25 KS3 students or 20 KS4/5 students.

Not currently. We can advise on great astronomy and space websites that include online activities and citizen science projects – to allow your students to take part in active research!

With permission.

Please contact our office at admin@kielderobservatory.org

Pricing varies  – please drop us an email for more information

Not normally. If we are bringing telescopes then outdoor clothing is needed.

All astronomers have first aid training in the context of our observatory location.

https://kielderobservatory.org/the-observatory/reviews