School science project is just out of this world!
YOUNGSTERS GIVEN A WHIRLWIND VIRTUAL TOUR OF THE UNIVERSE
Sunderland schoolchildren are reaching for the stars to mark British Science Week.
As part of the week, Thornhill Academy has teamed up with experts from Kielder Observatory, in Northumberland, to host a giant planetarium.
Pupils are able to step inside the inflatable dome to enjoy a light show which gives them a whirlwind tour of our universe.
Youngsters from primary schools, Richard Avenue, Diamond Hall, Hudson Road, Broadway Juniors and Barnes, as well as members of the surrounding community, are also visiting Thornhill this week for the unique insight into the night skies.
Demi-Leigh Ross, 10, Leona Dannielle, 10, and James Arthur Scott, 9, all from Diamond Hall Junior Academy, are among those who’ve been enjoying the star-gazing spectacle so far.
“I really enjoyed it, it felt like we were in a spaceship. It was really magical learning about the planets,” said Demi-Leigh.
Leona said: “It was really cool, I’ve never seen anything like that before.”
James said: “I never realised there were that many planets in our solar system.”
As well as the planetarium, the children are taking part in Q&A sessions, exploring items through microscopes and taking part in practical projects relating to gravity as part of the week of activities.
Ian Redford, headteacher at Thornhill Academy, said: “British Science Week started last Friday and is running until this Friday. Kielder Observatory had contacted us to say they are expanding their education programme and to see if we would like to work with them. That planted the seed for this week of activity.
“It’s giving our pupils, as well as those from the primary schools, a fascinating insight into the solar system and the make-up of our universe, as well as how that can be applied to every day life.
l As part of the Thornhill Academy project, we’ll be going live from the school at 1.45pm today on our Facebook page to give readers the chance to enjoy this insight into the solar system.