Children from Oak Class at Lacock Primary School recently enjoyed a star gazing event as a result of a visit from Simon Holbeche of Bath Astronomers.
“Our science topic this term has been Earth and Space, and the evening was organised to enable the children to develop a deeper understanding of the subject and to stimulate their curiosity about space,” explained Oak Class teacher Ann White.
“Despite the heavy rain and cloudy skies, all the children arrived bubbling with excitement. The evening began with hot chocolate and hot dogs at school, we then walked through Lacock to our village hall where Simon had set up a 5m planetarium, which all the children were able to go into, for a show about the Herschel family from Bath and their scientific discoveries.”
Talking about the experience, Ruby from Year 5 said, “In the planetarium images and sounds were everywhere around us, we were immersed in the wonders of space.”
“Simon then did a fantastic demonstration using a gravity well and finally all the children were able to make spectroscopes, which they could take home,” added Ann.
“Simon’s knowledge and enthusiasm for the subject, surpassed my expectations and helped to deepen the children’s understanding of space, as well as develop in all of them an interest not just in space, but in STEM subjects as well. The event was a highlight of our term and will be remembered by the children for a very long time.”
www.lacock.wilts.sch.uk