In a hurry? Go to our Quick Show Picker (below)

A visit to a planetarium can be invaluable in communicating ideas of scale and distance in space. Such things simply don't fit into books, or even classrooms! The huge domed screen gives a sense of immersion and the experience is awe-inspiring and memorable.

The DCSF suggest a planetarium visit in yr 5 during the Earth, Sun and Moon topic.

Schools may book planetarium shows as a stand-alone activity. However, we would recommend also spending time in our exhibition spaces. For more about what we offer schools, prices and for help with planning a visit, see the Education section.

To book, call Jane King on 01962 891 900. Scroll down for further details.

     
 Black Holes show         Neighbourhood Earth show (stage demo)

Quick Show Picker

The show names link to descriptions further down this webpage.

*Reception infants can only see "Secret of the Cardboard Rocket".

Practicalities

Please gather outside the planetarium 10 minutes before your showtime.

We ask that teachers and helpers sit amongst the students to aid discipline during the show. Teachers will be given red torches which can be used, if necessary, to aid exit. However, discipline is rarely a problem as the students are generally very well engaged.

Any show can be followed by Q&A, but if booking a film show please check that we have staff available. It may be possible to arrange visiting academics or space engineers to do Q&A with older groups, although this is obviously subject to availability of our volunteers.

Our planetarium seats up to 176, so you may share your show with another group of similar age/ability. Larger groups (up to 200) can be squeezed in on request.

Members of the public are sometimes allowed into school shows in strictly limited numbers (and excluding those under 5yrs). However, the presenter's attention will remain fully on the school group(s). 

Detailed Show Descriptions

Appropriate key stages are suggested for each show. Note that younger children may still enjoy 'older' shows if they have done project work on an area or are G&T. Please ask for guidance if this is the case.

Live Shows

A live presenter tailors the show to the ability of the audience.

Neighbourhood Earth (live, 40min + Q&A, KS1-3) 

This show has simpler visuals than our others, but it is the best choice for KS1-2 for an overview of all the topics you are likely to cover in the classroom. An interactive show with stage demos. We consider the Earth, Sun and Moon before turning to our view of the night sky and (for KS2+) considering our place in the Universe. The KS2+ version contains a loud bang: please ask if you would like to be warned when this will occur so that a child can cover their ears or briefly leave the planetarium. More information about this show

Pre/post-visit KS2 resources available for free download. See children's work  here. 

Alien Worlds (live, 30min + Q&A, KS3+)

A live show for KS3+ designed around concepts you are likely to cover in the classroom, while taking an exciting flight through space, with visuals created in real-time. Considers the properties of the Earth that make it appropriate for life and which control our environment, visits other places in the solar system where life might lurk (and how we know about these), and then considers whether life might exist around other stars, how we can find it (eletromagnetic spectrum) and whether we might meet aliens anytime soon. More information about this show

The Planet Show (live, 30min + Q&A, KS2 & KS3)

Visuals are controlled in real-time, giving a flight through the solar system, orbiting each planet in turn. The show looks at the Earth, the structure of the solar system and then flies to look at the planets and consider how they are different from each other. A great way to get away from the distorted scales used in other media: get an idea of how huge those distances really are compared to the sizes of the planets.

Flight Through the Universe (live, 30min + Q&A, KS2+)

Great visuals controlled in real-time, giving a seamless flight through the observed universe. Similar to the planet show but we zoom all the way out to see our galaxy and then the many other galaxies in the Universe. The presenter is sat at the back so this show is not as interactive as Neighbourhood Earth nor does it give such a balanced overview of the subject although it's perfect for ideas of size, scale and our place in space. Does not include stellar evolution or structure of stars. A great way to inspire/wow your kids, but note that KS2 kids might get very excited so this isn't so good if you want them to listen silently! Perfect for science clubs or as a special treat

Bespoke shows (live, 30min + Q&A, KS4+ only) 

KS4 and post-16 teachers may be interested in a bespoke show based on a ‘live fly’ experience where our presenter flys in real time around the observed universe. This would essentially be an adapted version of "Flight Through the Universe". Example content includes explanations of RA/Dec, the magnetosphere, satellite orbits, star orbits within our galaxy, dark matter halo and zoom out to the edge of the Observable Universe. We can also show the sky as observed at different wavelengths. We can't do stellar evolution, black holes or comets. Please get in touch to discuss what we can do for you.

Film Shows

Natural Selection (40min, film, KS3-5) - stunningly produced show about Darwin's life and work. Explaining his background, experiences and the thought processes that led him to come to his conclusions, then briefly considering more recent discoveries that have built on his ideas. This is a very detailed and accurate show. Includes a scene of Darwin shooting a bird. Highly recommended; in public showings this has proved our most popular film show ever.

Wake up and Smell the Coffee (film, 24min, KS5) 

Aimed at AS and A2-level biology students (perhaps of interest to higher-level KS4?), this fulldome show explains atomic structure and the structure of a molecule of caffeine, flying the audience through cell membranes and travelling the bloodstream, finally crossing the blood/brain barrier to discover how it's the shape of caffeine that causes it to act as a competitive inhibitor of ATP (in its role as a neurotransmitter), reducing drowsiness. This show was made by Surrey University as part of the British Science Festival 2009 and was funded by SEEDA. Nice visuals and music, and accurate information. Peter Symonds College have made repeat visits to see this show with entire AS year groups.

We are Astronomers (film, 24min, KS3+)

Designed for KS3 school groups. Super-stylish show; I reckon this is one of the best fulldome films ever made. Explains what an astronomer is and how they work in worldwide networks to manage the large amounts of data they collect. Great for showing potential jobs in astronomy and highlights the UK contribution. Includes the electromagnetic spectrum, James Webb Telescope and Large Hadron Collider. More educational than the Black Holes show. Doesn't include a lot of 'flying through space'. Contains one scene with flickering (potentially dangerous to photosensitive epileptics) but we can warn you when this will be.

KS3 teacher comments "Awesome, unmissable, mindblowing", "Stunning. The way the show was put together was fantastic". One pupil wrote on the show's website: “im 12, and today i watched We are astronomers, we were the first people to watch it at the Intech planetarium, i thought it was brilliant and it really inspired me!". More details on the show website

Secret of the Cardboard Rocket (film, 30min + Q&A, KS1-2) 

Beautifully child-centred show for our younger visitors. Join two children as they explore our solar system in a homemade rocket. This show has simpler visual effects than our other film shows in places, but is great for the kids and is a gentle experience with plenty of brighter sections. Usually we would always recommend live shows, but for KS1 wanting to 'see the planets' this is our top recommendation. It's great at holding attention and for this reason is the only show available for groups with Reception children.

Cosmic Journey III (film, 22min, KS1-2)

A flight around our solar system, visiting the major objects, comparing the planets and considering whether there might be life out there. Good if you particularly want to see the planets, which are not covered in detail in Neighbourhood Earth, but the live "The Planets show" is a better choice if a presenter is available. Older groups (yr8+) might find the American voice-over a bit patronising? Not a huge amount of spoken content so kids more likely to chat at times, but a lovely gentle ride and younger kids love to stretch their arms up to try to touch the planets! 

Astronaut (film, 22min, KS1-4, good for SEN)

Find out what it takes to be an astronaut. A great fun show covering how astronauts are trained, how space affects their bodies (great KS3/4 biology) and the dangers they face (including funny cartoon sequence). A good overview of the issues involved in human space flight. This is our most popular pre-recorded show for family groups and is hugely enjoyed by younger children despite some of the language being less child-appropriate. Includes two short sections of flashing images potentially dangerous to photosensitive epileptics but we can warn you before these occur so that eyes can be covered (please let us know when booking). This show does not include very much 'flying through space'.

Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity (film, 25min, KS3+, great for PMLD)

Stellar evolution, the Big Bang, distortion of spacetime (lovely scene showing distortion of a 3D grid) and Black Holes! Touching on advanced science, but everyone will love the stunning and dramatic presentation. Stylish in a way that older groups will appreciate. Nice as a treat!

Two Small Pieces of Glass (film, 24min, KS2+) 

Presents the history of telescopes, the science behind their optics (eg chromatic aberation) and how they are used. Lots of content (maybe too much). The science is KS3+ but the cheesy American delivery feels more KS2 and may put off older/cooler groups. Best for yr6? If you would like to bring a yr6 group for a FREE preview (in exchange for your feedback) then please contact the Planetarium Manager at jennyshipway@intech-uk.com.

Don't see what you were looking for? Let us know what you would like us to develop in future. It takes a lot of time and money to produce a fulldome show but if you tell us what you'd like to see then we'll do our best to make it available in future.