A teacher showing two students a telescope Rossall School's Astronomy Centre.

Astronomy

We are the only school in the United Kingdom to have its own Astronomy Centre and Observatory.

Our Resident Astronomer, Dr Nick Lister, runs a fascinating series of lectures, lessons and talks for Rossall pupils and visitors to the School.

Dr Lister is the Principal of Lawrence House Astronomy & Space Science Centre, which is situated in the grounds of Rossall School. He is a leading figure of UK astronomy and leads the team of staff teaching astronomy to school children and adults at the unique centre, which serves the North of England.

As a fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society (FRAS), an organisation devoted to encouraging and promoting the teaching of astronomy, Dr Lister is passionate about astronomy and is dedicated to passing this enthusiasm on to all ages and all levels.

FURTHER INFORMATION AND TO BOOK

To book a place on a course or to discuss your requirements please email:

nick@astronomyforall.co.uk

or call 01253 772974

COURSES FOR TEACHERS

In addition to the courses outlined below, Dr Lister can visit your school or institution, providing a wide range of lectures that can be tailored to your specific needs and provide ongoing support and backup to all teachers that attend, after the course has finished.

  • Teachers of science at primary or secondary level can benefit from one of our Astronomy INSET courses. Schools can choose to send one or two teachers on to our specified course dates or send a whole department on a date to be arranged with you.

    The one day INSET Astronomy and Earth in Space course has been specifically designed for teachers of the Key Stage 2 and the Key Stage 4 Science Curriculum. Making full use of our dedicated state of the art facilities, you will learn about astronomy and our universe through structured tutorials interactive presentations and displays.

    Course Fees

    • The cost of the 1 day course is £180 per person.

    Timings

    • Courses normally start at 10.00am until 3.00pm.

  • Key Stage 2 teachers are subject to an ever-increasing demand upon their own established breadth of knowledge. The aim of this INSET course is three-fold:

    • To enhance and develop personal knowledge of astronomy and related subjects.

    • To supply teachers with helpful and additional guidance in the form of worksheet /classroom approach etc.

    • To develop a confident enthusiasm for the subject of astronomy – an enthusiasm that can be passed on to pupils in the classroom environment.

    This is an INSET day with a difference. The course is run in a relaxed and informal manner, without detracting from a professional intuitive presentation. This is your day, and we want you to get as much out of the course as possible.

    Course Structure and Learning Outcomes

    The INSET day course consists of the following:

    • A structured tutorial as an introduction to astronomy: The Earth and its place within the Universe

    • A visit to the Observatory and Victorian ‘Cooke’ refracting telescope

    • Lunch

    • Time under the stars – a tour of the night sky, season by season. A relaxing presentation in our Starlab planetarium: an aid to gaining a confident familiarity with the constellations of the night sky – always a favourite!

    • A formal lecture presentation – “Through the solar system – and beyond”

    • Question and answer session – a perfect opportunity to further tailor the course to your own needs.

    Delegates will learn about:

    • The common and exciting themes of space science – aiding in the presentation and realisation of ‘space-borne’ projects which are becoming increasingly familiar in primary and preparatory schools

    • Additional extra-curricular topics – the sort of information that makes astronomy exciting for teachers and pupils alike and much more accessible in the classroom

  • The course provides a rounded overview of GCSE level astronomy but is not restricted to the Curriculum. By combining curriculum and non-curriculum based topic information, the course aims to excite and interest students by making space science more accessible than ever before.

    Course Structure and Learning Outcomes:

    Before lunch you will visit our ‘on-site’ Victorian Observatory and ‘Cook’ refracting telescope.

    After lunch you will spend some time under the starts and experience a journey through the night sky season by season in our housed Starlab Planetarium.

    Followed by a formal lecture entitled ‘Through The Solar System – And Beyond’ which leads into an invaluable question and answer session at the end of the day – a perfect opportunity to further tailor the course to your own needs.

    Delegates will learn about and understand:

    • The earth and our place within the universe

    • The solar system

    • The dynamics of orbit

    • Stellar evolution

HIRE

  • Lawrence House Astronomy and Space Science Centre is available for hire as a conference/event facility to corporate businesses. There are three key areas within the Centre:

    LECTURE THEATRE

    Our tiered lecture theatre seats 60 delegates and includes computer access, projector and screen.

    CLASSROOM

    The classroom is fully equipped with internet broadband connection points for delegate use. The classroom may be set out to your requirements and can hold up to 30 delegates.

    PLANETARIUM

    Our housed Starlab Planetarium is available for use if you choose to incorporate an astronomy presentation within your event proceedings. Up to 38 adults may enter the Planetarium at any one time.

    FOOD AND REFRESHMENTS

    Tea/coffee and biscuits can be provided throughout the day or during specific breaks in your event schedule at a cost of £1.20 per head per serving.

    Choose from either a buffet meal or various hot meal options for lunch and/or dinner. Menus can be arranged to suit your needs.

    SAMPLE MENUS

    Dependent on the number of delegates attending, buffet meals can be served within the Centre. Hot meals and buffets for a large number of delegates will be served in the Dining Hall.

    ACCOMMODATION

    As the Centre is situated on a boarding school campus, accommodation is available in School holidays (excluding the half-term breaks).

    Accommodation is within one of the School’s boarding houses which are housed in beautiful historic buildings around a central square. Rooms comprise of a bed, wardrobe, desk and drawers. Bathroom facilities are available on each floor along with a small kitchenette with microwave, small two ring hob, fridge, kettle and toaster where delegates may make drinks and snacks. A number of en-suite rooms are also available.

    CENTRE HIRE + PRESENTATION

    In addition to hiring the Lawrence House facilities, you may wish to incorporate a special astronomy presentation by Dr. Nick Lister.

    Astronomy based presentations can be linked in with your own business messages for the day or you may just wish to enjoy a non-business related presentation in our Starlab planetarium to break the day up.

    Some possible themes linking astronomy and business messages may be:

    • Think Big

    • Space Travel: The Importance of Teamwork

    • The Earth As a Small Cog in a Big Wheel (an analogy for a team environment)

    PRICES

    CENTRE HIRE ONLY

    Cost £250.00*

    CENTRE HIRE + STANDARD PRESENTATION

    Cost £500.00*

    CENTRE HIRE + TAILORED PRESENTATION

    Cost Cost: £750.00*

    * This price does not include costs for food and refreshments. Quotations provided on request.

    FURTHER INFORMATION AND TO BOOK

    If you are interested in hiring the Centre, or would like a chat before making a booking please contact Dr Nick Lister on 01253 772974 or by email at nick@astronomyforall.co.uk.