School Workshops
The Race into Space
The search is on for the UK’s next astronaut – and Major Tom wants your pupils’ help in selecting the best person for the job!
Major Tom needs your pupils’ help, using age appropriate maths skills, to rank six would-be spacefarers on a range of real, scientific criteria. Who will they select to be the next UK astronaut?
Introduction
After meeting the Major at an opening assembly, and being introduced to the would-be astronauts, each class will be issued with a Mission: to use their maths skills to rank the candidates on one of a number of qualities.
Each Mission calls on pupils to demonstrate mathematical fluency, reasoning and problem-solving abilities – and is in line with Curriculum objectives for their year group.
The Major will be on hand to visit each classroom with some vital, additional information – and the programme ends with a second assembly in which each class reports back its findings and helps whittle the field down to just one: Britain’s next astronaut.
| Year Groups | EYFS – Y6 |
|---|---|
| Curriculum | Maths |
| Pupil Numbers | Whole-School |
| Duration | One Day |
| Space | School Hall |
Workshop Testimonials
“The children thoroughly enjoyed the workshops and all were completely engaged,. Even now a week later, the children are still talking about it and repeating the ‘SUN BURNS!!’ part. They learnt so much in just a short amount of time and will remember it due to the engaging way it was presented. Lots of the children surprised me with their knowledge – Jackson expertly drew out what they already knew and expanded on it. We will definitely be booking your services in the future.”
“The children and staff thoroughly enjoyed the day. Although this isn’t the first time Springwell has used your services, it is personally my first experience and I can see why the staff have been so complementary. I really look forward to working with you again in the near future”
“Our pupils absolutely loved having “Neil Armstrong” in school for the day, the workshops were really engaging and further embedded the pupils’ knowledge about the moon and the moon landing. It was a brilliant day that the children thoroughly enjoyed.”
“We had a wonderful visitor to Star of the Sea yesterday, Major Tom from As Creatives. The boys had a day of fun and learning while the rain poured down outside! “
“The pupils very much enjoyed the workshops. They were excited to take part in a whole school mission and loved the active nature of the activities. We were very pleased with the amount of maths work involved in the in class tasks. Despite being fun, there were plenty of teaching points and so it was a good balance between the two. We hope to work together again thank you!”
Workshop FAQs
How many pupils can take part?
The Race into Space can accommodate up-to 60 pupils per workshop – that’s the whole of a two-form entry school in just one day!
What is the format of the day?
The day starts with a whole-school assembly where pupils will meet “Major Tom”. We will work with you to plan a timetable for the workshops, to suit the number of classes you would like to include – and around the specific timings of your school day. There is a short follow-up activity to be undertaken back in the classrooms, which we provide for class teachers as a PowerPoint. The outcomes of these are shared in a closing assembly, so that the result of the overall challenge can be revealed. A typical timetable looks like this:
09.00 – 09.20: Whole-school assembly, where your visitor will explain how they need the children’s help …
09.20 – 9.55: Year 1 stay in the hall for their workshop …
9.55 – 10.30: Year 2 come to the hall for their workshop …
10.30 – 11.05: Year 3 come to the hall for their workshop …
11.05 – 11.30: One Reception class have a visit, in their own setting …
11.30 – 11.55: The other Reception class have a visit, in their own setting …
LUNCH
1.00 – 1.40: Year 4 come to the hall for their workshop …
1.40 – 2.20: Year 5 come to the hall for their workshop …
2.20 – 3.00: Year 6 come to the hall for their workshop.
3.00 – 3.15: Closing assembly where findings are shared and the outcome revealed.
Are there any technical requirements?
Your visitor will need access to a laptop/ screen/projector set up in the school hall, so that pupils can view the supporting PowerPoint.
Can we dress up?
Yes! Lots of the schools we work with choose to do this to really get into the theme of the day.
Are there any other whole-school Maths days?
Yes! if you’ve already enjoyed The Race into Space day then you might want to consider one of our other whole-school maths days which include; The Pirate’s Challenge, Riddle of the Shpinx, Times Tables Trattoria, and The Benefactor!
Are there any technical requirements?
Yes! you can purchase the Race into Space teaching pack and deliver the day yourself!
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Journeys into Space
Space Pirates!
From proto-stars to black holes – an interactive exploration of the life cycles of stars!