education

Senior Observatory

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Second Nature Education offers an amazing variety of educational and experiential programs to a observatories and science centres in: Queensland and New South Wales; throughout Australia; and overseas.

All our programs are either tailored to support relevant units within the new curriculum, or as specifically requested by our clients.

What we provide

  • Award-winning educators/ facilitators
  • Itineraries and Flyers
  • Curriculum-based work-booklets
  • All relevant equipment (supplying up to 150x students per session)
  • Example assessment tasks
  • Pre/Post Excursion Activities (usually a PPP)
  • Risk Assessment (location specific)
  • Variety of field-work locations (where available)
  • Accommodation options (we provide quotes to utilise the most affordable and most appropriate accommodation to suit your needs)
  • Catering options (we provide quotes to utilise our own in-house catering service for every excursion (where available) and/or catering through a third-party provider

Senior School (Yr 11-12) Programs

Our “Earth and Space” programs for years 11-12 have been specifically developed for units of study in Earth and Environmental Science. Each can however be tailored to a school’s needs. The programs are great fun and involve the exploration of a built environment (excursions), or an exciting interactive PPP with a guided exploration of school grounds (incursions). Students gain an understanding of earth’s place in our solar system. They also learn about the technology that has enabled man to walk on the moon and beyond.  These programs are delivered by passionate facilitators with specialist knowledge on earth sciences, astrology and/or astrophysics. The experiences can be delivered to complement the following units or modules:

  • Year 11 Introduction to Earth Systems (QLD)
  • Year 11 Earth Processes (QLD)
  • Year 11 Plate Tectonics (NSW)

Trip Overview

This adventure takes the students on a journey through the earth’s interior and atmosphere, out to the scarcely explored reaches of our solar system. Students learn about the technologies at the forefront of space research and have the opportunity to speak with experts in a chosen field. If you are seeking a different approach to your “Earth and Space” study, we can design a program that is suitable for you.

Highlights

  • Stargazing at a planetarium or observatory!
  • Awesome animations and technical aids to increase students’ understanding of space
  • Walking through the solar system thanks to incredible displays and exhibitions.
  • Enjoy shows and films about your topic of study (where applicable)
  • Talks from ex- or current NASA employees, astrophysicists, earth scientists and more (optional)!

More Information

Inclusions

Excursions

  • Guided tour of observatory displays
  • Discussion of the earth’s internal structure and atmosphere (optional)
  • Discussion of how the moon, stars and planets were formed (optional)
  • Discussion of the profile and workings of our solar system
  • Discussion of the technology that has enabled man to explore space
  • “Amazing Race” activity (optional)
  • Stargazing with commentary

Incursions

  • An age-appropriate interactive PowerPoint presentation
  • Virtual Reality exploration of our solar system!
  • Stargazing (with commentary) on the school oval
  • Moon rocks and other space relics for the students to pass around
Educational Outcomes
  • Awareness of the earth’s position within our solar system
  • An understanding of the vastness and complexity of space (i.e. knowledge of solar systems, galaxies and the universe)
  • A basic understanding of the earth’s internal structure and the many layers of our atmosphere
  • Knowledge of how stars and planets are formed including what they are made out of
  • Awareness of the forces at work in our solar system (i.e. orbits exist because of gravity)
  • An understanding of how the distribution of light and heat in our solar system determine the suitability of an environments for life
  • An appreciation for the technologies allowing humans to conquer the new frontier (space)
  • Fostering a passion and curiosity for space learning
Itinerary

Below is an example itinerary for a 1-day “Earth and Space” excursion. All excursions packages include the necessary work booklets and equipment.

13:00 Tour group pick- Second Nature have a fleet of vehicles available to cater for any number of passengers (within reason). We can provide transport to and from schools and airports
13:45 Arrive at destination for Activity session 1 This activity involves a guided exploration of the displays (and possibly exhibits) available at your chosen observatory. Students will learn about the earth’s internal and atmospheric structure, and its position within our solar system.
14:45 Afternoon tea
15:15 Activity Session 2 Catch one of the awesome educational shows available at your chosen observatory. Many venues have theatres and/or skydomes for guest entertainment. This means that students can enjoy a unique, virtual experience of the space environment.
16:00 Activity Session 3 The students will continue their guided exploration of the displays, with the focus shifting this time to the incredible feats in technology that have allowed mankind to explore space. Some of these technologies will be available for students to view and interact with. This activity can also include a talk from an engineer (for NASA) or other space-related profession.
17:00 Activity Session 4 Stargazing on the lawn (or from the observatory). Second Nature can provide telescopes for optimised student viewing. Your guides will supply a commentary highlighting important constellations and other points of interest.
18:00 Depart destination, back to school or airport
18:45 Arrive back at institution or airport when required
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