UIV Visit to the National Space Centre: A Journey Beyond the Stars
23 October 2024 - Academic
A few weeks ago, UIV had the incredible opportunity to visit the National Space Centre, where they took part in a variety of immersive workshops and engaging planetarium shows. The visit began with a warm welcome from a friendly guide, leading the group into the planetarium, which featured a breathtaking globe-shaped ceiling adorned with holographic decorations. The visuals made the entire space feel alive, with an almost 3D effect that enhanced the entire experience.
Inside the planetarium, pupils were captivated by a presentation on the story of Ursa Major, projected onto a 360-degree starry screen. The seating area was equipped with interactive voting buttons, allowing the audience to participate in shaping the direction of the story. The realistic visuals and expert commentary on stars and planets, left the pupils in awe.
Following the planetarium experience, the group enjoyed the ‘It IS Rocket Science’ show. One fun fact that wowed the pupils was that Sir Isaac Newton was credited with inventing the cat flap! The show featured numerous live experiments, with the combustion experiment producing a large and dramatic flame, being a particular favourite.
The highlight of the day was the Tetrastar Mission to Mars, where pupils worked together as a team in a simulated space mission. They took on various roles, including collecting samples, driving rovers, blasting off in rockets, and even escaping a Martian dust storm. The mission was an exhilarating experience, allowing the pupils to feel like real astronauts as they navigated the challenges of space exploration.
The trip was a resounding success, with many pupils leaving with a renewed fascination about life beyond earth.
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