A parent and child are in the foreground, talking. Other people can be seen in the background.

Home Education Day

A day dedicated to home educated children and their families.

  • 12th Sep 2024
  • Ticket includes ONE Child and ONE Adult
  • Workshop, Show and Talk Included
  • Free Time to Explore the Exhibition

BOOK NOW

  1. An adult is talking with a child. The child is smiling.

    Home Education Day

    The National Space Centre’s Education team is hosting a day of talks, workshops and shows in the Planetarium to home educated children.

    Join the team to find out more about It Is Rocket Science in a day of exploration.

    Suitable for children from 6-14, sessions will allow children and adults  to work together to achieve their own learning goals (children remain the responsibility of accompanying adults at all times).

    Group 3 for 6-9 and 9-12 ages has been dedicated to SEND children and families. 

    Book Now

An Education Presenter giving a talk in our Live Space Gallery.

This Month's Theme

Our subject for this Home Education Day is It Is Rocket Science.

  • Price for ONE child and ONE adult £24.99 (including workshop, talk, show, science busking, downloadable resources, and entry to the Centre).
  • Adults must remain with child at all times (PLEASE NOTE - this ticket does not include additional children/adults).

Book Now

A child balancing on one leg, holding their arms out. An Education Presenter is stood at the front of the room.

SEND Sessions

SEND sessions all have a relaxed quiet room during the activities if needed, and longer workshop sessions for less intensive activities. Families are also welcome to join the other talks during the day, however, this content will be shared in the main session as well. 

  1. A child finger painting while under a UV light.

    Workshop - Life on Mars

    • Group 1 - 10:15 / Group 2 - 11:45 / Group 3 SEN - 10:15

    Working scientifically students will observe, classify and test a variety of space rock samples to search for evidence of life on another planet.

    Collaborating in small teams using pH and organic testing, students will find out more about Mars with our analogue Martian rocks.

  2. An Education Presenter performing a science experiment resulting in a ball of fire, within our 'Live Space' gallery.

    Talk - It Is Rocket Science

    • Group 1 - 13:30 / Group 2 - 13:30

    In this explosive show find out more about what make rockets work, where they launch from and the history of space travel.

  3. A 3D rendering of an astronaut is at the left of the image. Text reads 'Astronaut, a fulldome experience like nothing on Earth, with Ewan McGregor'.

    Planetarium Show - Astronaut

    • Group 1 - 14:20 / Group 2 - 14:20 / Group 3 SEN - 11:40

    The exploration of Space is the greatest endeavour that humankind has ever undertaken. What does it take to be part of this incredible journey? What does it take to become an astronaut?

    Experience a rocket launch from inside the body of an astronaut. Explore the amazing worlds of inner and outer Space, from floating around the International Space Station to manoeuvring through microscopic regions of the human body.

  1. Two Astronauts on a Space Walk, with a view of the Earth taking up the background of the image.

    Workshop - Life in Space

    • Group 1 - 13:15 / Group 2 - 14:30 / Group 3 SEN - 14:00

    This workshop covers all there is to know about living and working on the International Space Station (ISS). From selection to mission specific training, students are guided through the essential steps to becoming an astronaut. Students will consider how routine activities on Earth, like eating and going to the toilet, are very different in the microgravity environment of the ISS. Through interactive tasks, students will also explore the hazards of space and how layered space suits protect astronauts during spacewalks.

  2. An Education Presenter performing a science experiment resulting in a ball of fire, within our 'Live Space' gallery.

    Talk - It Is Rocket Science

    • Group 1 - 12:30 / Group 2 - 12:30

    In this explosive talk, find out how we launch Earth observation satellites to space, how they work, and what they do there.

  3. A 3D rendering of an astronaut is at the left of the image. Text reads 'Astronaut, a fulldome experience like nothing on Earth, with Ewan McGregor'.

    Planetarium Show - Astronaut

    • Group 1 - 10:20 / Group 2 - 10:20/ Group 3 SEN - 11:40

    The exploration of Space is the greatest endeavour that humankind has ever undertaken. What does it take to be part of this incredible journey? What does it take to become an astronaut?

    Experience a rocket launch from inside the body of an astronaut. Explore the amazing worlds of inner and outer Space, from floating around the International Space Station to manoeuvring through microscopic regions of the human body.

  1. An 3D rendering of a small food growing station on Mars.

    Workshop - Colonising Mars

    • Group 1 - 12:15

    Students will learn about long duration space travel and the conditions on Mars. Working in small groups, students will carry out a selection of experiments. They will test pH, measure UV radiation and calculate the required oxygen for a trip. Students will compare and contrast their results and discuss the relevance to future human inhabitants on Mars.

  2. An Education Presenter performing a science experiment resulting in a ball of fire, within our 'Live Space' gallery.

    Talk - It Is Rocket Science

    • Group 1 - 14:30

    In this explosive talk, find out how we launch Earth observation satellites to space, how they work, and what they do there.

  3. A 3D rendering of an astronaut is at the left of the image. Text reads 'Astronaut, a fulldome experience like nothing on Earth, with Ewan McGregor'.

    Planetarium Show - Astronaut

    • Group 1 - 10:20

    The exploration of Space is the greatest endeavour that humankind has ever undertaken. What does it take to be part of this incredible journey? What does it take to become an astronaut?

    Experience a rocket launch from inside the body of an astronaut. Explore the amazing worlds of inner and outer Space, from floating around the International Space Station to manoeuvring through microscopic regions of the human body.

Downloadable Resources

  1. A 3D rendering of a rocket launching, seen from above.

    Age 6-9

    Download your Key Stage 1 gallery trails here
  2. A Space Shuttle Launch, seen from the side on.

    Age 9-12

    Download you Key Stage 2 gallery trails here
  3. A rocket launch seen from a distance, from a Space X launch site.

    Age 12-14

    Download you Key Stage 3 gallery trails here

FAQs

Unfortunately we have very restricted space in the classrooms, so the ticket includes ONE child and ONE supervisory adult. However, if you would like to buy standard day entry to the National Space Centre for any additional adults/children, you can all spend time together in the Centre's exhibitions outside of the 30 minute talk, 60 minute workshop and 30 minute show. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times in the Centre.  

No, due to the additional workshop, talk and show there is an additional ticket for this event. Home Education Day tickets are not valid for the FREE Annual Pass upgrade.

We provide all resources required for the sessions. We strongly suggest you download the gallery trails in advance and bring those with you. Children are also encouraged to bring a water in a sealed bottle with them (to stay hydrated throughout).

No, children must be supervised by an adult at all times. 

No, the sessions have been developed specifically for that age range. It would not be fair on your child, or others in the group.

Each session will include children of differing ages and abilities. Due to the nature of the sessions, we do not have sufficient resources for children to work individually.

No, all tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. As we use a third party ticketing supplier there are significant fees to make any changes, which the charity is unable to cover. 

Please check out our SEN/SEND Home Education Day, which may be more appropriate for you and your child. We also have Space Cadets online learning you can do at home (with access to Zoom). 

Yes, the National Space Centre will be open as normal to the public and groups to book a visit. Workshops and talks will be exclusive to those booked on the Home Education day, however, free time in the exhibition and galleries will include any public visiting on the day.