Teaching Secondary School Physics in the Planetarium Dome

Presentation theme: educational advancements in planetariums

We describe the how we use the Armagh Planetarium to teach elements of the physics syllabus at secondary school level. 

A planetarium provides an engaging environment for teaching, the shared immersive experience being under the dome creating a wow factor, learning by stealth while the student is led on spectacular journeys around the planets and stars by the presenter. 

Planetaria are regularly used for teaching at primary school level, the intent primarily being to inspire children about science through seeing the wonders of the cosmos under the planetarium dome. 

At secondary school level this is more challenging. While providing inspiration remains core, presentations now generally need to be focussed on covering specific curriculum topics of relevant syllabi. The presenters also need to be familiar with the underlying physics and comfortable talking about it while delivering their presentations. 

Planetarium software systems now contain extensive and diverse material making it possible to cover wide parts of science syllabi, beyond just the traditional physics behind understanding celestial phenomena such as planetary motions, eclipses and phases of the Moon. 

We describe how we have prepared modules at the Armagh Planetarium for teaching the space physics portion of the physics at GCSE O-level in UK and the corresponding Junior Cycle level in Ireland.

Image © SPB | Natalie Toczek