A wonderful, immersive, sensory experience aimed at specialist schools and groups of children with SEND within mainstream schools.
Enjoy a calming sensory experience alongside your pupils as you are surrounded by slowly moving images and videos of space accompanied by soothing music. Gaze at the Pillars of Creation and marvel at The Northern Lights whilst relaxing music plays in the background.
This show is presenter-led, although there is very little talking and we focus on quietly allowing your students to enjoy the images and music. Sensory Space is ideal for groups of children with complex or high support needs and can be adapted to the needs of your students.
Adjustments we can offer include:
- a social story to help prepare your students for the visit
- low lighting (as opposed to pitch dark)
- lower volume of sound and different options for music
- explanations of what is about to happen step-by-step in clear, literal language
- a “peek inside” the planetarium before entering
- any other reasonable adjustments your students might need that we are able to provide
Maximum number of shows per day: 6
An example itinerary
This is what a typical full day booking with the mobile planetarium might look like (these timings may be slightly different for schools that are further away or if the space being used for the mobile planetarium is needed for lunch):
- 8.30am – The learning officer arrives at your school to set-up
- 9.30am – First show
- 10.15am – Second show
- 11am– Third show
- 11.45am – Fourth show
- 12.30pm – Lunch break
- 1pm – Fifth show
- 1.45pm – Sixth show
- 2.15pm – The learning office will pack away the equipment.
- 2.45pm – The learning officer leaves and returns to Thinktank with the equipment
Image gallery
- Availability: Our planetarium is available to hire on Tuesdays. From 9.30am – 3pm (including a 30 minute break for lunch). These times may be slightly different for schools that are further away to account for additional travel time.
- Planetarium dome size: Approximately 3.1 metres high and 5 metres in diameter. This fits into most school halls or gyms.
- Areas: We cover a radius of approximately 40 miles or 1 hour drive time from B4 7XG.
The mobile planetarium has been fully risk assessed and our risk assessment will be provided upon booking.
We also have an social story available to help prepare your pupils for our visit.
Costs
| Description | Half day | Full day | One extra show |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schools | £340 | £450 | £75 |
| Birmingham LEA schools with more than 50% free school meals | £300 | £395 | £66 |