NEW!
SECONDARY SCHOOLS PROGRAM FOR DUBLIN AREA!

Our new program launched last month for the Dublin area, aims to take secondary school students to the stars! Tour the cosmos from the eight planets of the Solar System to the furthest reaches of space and time. These tours are designed to work with and complement the curriculum at both junior and senior level, in an exciting style that captivates the minds of the students.

Presented by Oisin Creaner, an Astrophysics researcher at ITT Dublin, these classes make use of highly visual Power-point presentations which really help give a feel for the subject. Students are encouraged to ask questions during the presentation and after the presentation is complete, time is allowed to engage further.

Talks are highly adaptable to suit the needs of the students and your timetable. The speaker will make appropriate arrangements with the class teacher, choosing the subject of the course and the level of the talk to allow the students to engage with it and get the most out of the session.

BOOKING OPTIONS
The standard minimum booking is two hours. This can be divided up to suit the needs of the school and the class time-tables. This, along with the topics to be covered during the lesson, will be arranged with the speaker beforehand.

Here are some sample options:

• Option 1: 3 x 40 minute lessons
• Option 2: 2 x 1 hour lessons
• Option 3: 1 x 2 hour lesson

Each group can have the same lesson (pitched at different levels so as to be age-appropriate), or different lessons. See examples below of a wide variety of prepared lessons that link in with the science curriculum.

Option 3 allows the group to explore a wider variety of topics from astronomy . It can include practical exercises and demonstrations, quizzes and group work. This option is highly suitable for Transition Year groups and the content and structure of the 2hours will be decided on with the class teachers and students beforehand.

Enquire about arranging a visit to your school by clicking HERE.

 

Special Offer FREE - 1 year subscription to Astronomy & Space Magazine + educational DVDs ‘Eyes on the Skies’ with every booking made. Both are excellent teaching resources and great additions to the school library!

 

Junior Cert Curriculum Strands Introduction to Astronomy Curriculum Strands: Physics: Measurements in Science, Light The 8 Planets Curriculum Strands: Physics: Forces and Moments, Heat Transfer; Chemistry: Classification of Substances Space Flight Curriculum Strands: Physics: Heat Transfer, Sound & Hearing; Chemistry: Oxygen and Air

 

Leaving Cert Curriculum Strands Alien Worlds—Finding extrasolar planets Curriculum Strands: Physics: Diffraction, the Spectrometer; Chemistry: Electronic Structure of Atoms The Sun and Stars—Nuclear infernos Curriculum Strands: Physics: Nuclear Energy, Particle Physics; Chemistry: Periodic Table, States of Matter Cosmology—The Big Bang and beyond Curriculum Strands: Physics:The Electromagnetic Spectrum Chemistry: Radioactivity

 

Meet the Speaker Oisin has an honours degree in Physics with Astrophysics from Trinity College. He is currently studying for a Ph.D in Physics at the Institute of Technology, Tallaght. Oisín lectures part-time in physics, mathematics and computing, and has given tuition at second level, for both the Junior and Senior Cycle. With his wide experience, Oisín can relate astronomy topics to a variety of scientific disciplines and areas of interest. He has a particular interest in the search for Exoplanets.

 

Great success to date We have already received huge interest from schools in Dublin, and to date we have visited: St Andrews College, Booterstown Stratford College, Rathgar - Find out what they said HERE Our Ladys Girls secondary School, Templeogue Colaiste Eoin, Stillorgan - Find out what they said HERE Sandford Park School, Ranelagh

ADVANTAGES OF THIS INITIATIVE

• Lessons delivered in a fun, engaging and inter-active way
• The study of Astronomy and Space has demonstrated a unique power to inspire student interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths (STEM)
• Will explain difficult concepts in Physics and widen student knowledge in related areas of Maths, Biology and Chemistry.
• Astronomy is part of our everyday lives and deepening our understanding of our place in the Universe is a very rewarding experience.
• Affordable and Flexible. We come to you!

ASTRONOMY & SPACE SPECIAL SCHOOLS SUPPLEMENT
December 2011 issue p38 — "ASTEROID HUNTERS"

To celebrate the launch of our new secondary schools program we featured an article by Astronomy Ireland Education Officer Dr Paul Corcoran, detailing his experience setting up the International Asteroid Search Campaign (IASC) in Castleknock Community College. The IASC project is a free internet-based asteroid search campaign for second level schools and colleges. It gives students the opportunity to act as astronomers and make real contributions to science. It is an excellent way to promote curiosity and interest in science. To read the full article you can download a PDF version here: page 1 page 2 page 3 (p38–40 in the magazine)

FURTHER INFORMATION AND BOOKING

For further information on the lessons and price, to request an information pack by post, or to submit a booking you can fill out our ‘Booking Enquiry Form’ HERE.

To request an information pack please call our Education Coordinator Cliona on 01 890 1111 or email cliona@astronomy.ie.

Become a Friend of Astronomy Ireland for free HERE. Keep informed about events in your area!

Want to know what to see in the sky each month? Want to read reports on everything people are seeing in Irish skies?
Get Astronomy Ireland's magazine posted to your door for only €4 each month. Join HERE.

Become a Friend

Fun Science Fact: