Space and Dance Combined in New Teaching Project for Primary School Children

When you were a child did you often find  the subject of space a 

boring and uninteresting lesson in which you struggled to stay awake? Maybe. What if the subject was enhanced by engaging the pupils in some form of physical activity which will help them retain the information and make learning so much more fun. 

 

The ‘Into Our Skies - Space in Schools’ project has been designed by UCLAN with it’s core principle to teach the children about space with the added fun factor of applying dancing in each lesson. 

 

Thanks to a grant of £15,000 from the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Public Engagement Fund the scheme has been given the green light. This has seen a unique collaboration between UCLAN Astronomer Dr Joanne Pledger, UCLAN Dance and Preston-based dancer Lucy Starkey.

 

All three are working together to create a series of interactive educational videos which are currently being filmed at the University’s Alston Observatory. The good news is that these videos will be available for free to local schools by mid -October. 

 

Dr Pledger explained who the videos are designed for and subjects they will teach,

 

“The six-week programme includes three videos and additional learning materials which are aimed at Year 5 and 6 pupils. They are closely aligned with national curriculum guidelines meaning teachers can provide practical opportunities for pupils engage in topics such as The Moon, Earth and the Sun and The Solar System whether in their classroom or as a homework topic.”

 

Teachers and parents will also benefit from additional resources which include top tips on how to facilitate a dance class and supplementary information on ‘the science bit’. The level of skill bares no factor in teaching the children the fundamentals of science and dance based knowledge. 

 

Dr Pledger emphasized  the following point, 

 

“We know teachers have had a difficult year and they’re trying to play catch-up on the months of teaching that were lost during lockdown so this free programme of informative, yet fun and engaging activities, can take the stress out of lesson planning and can combine the subjects of movement and science.”

 

The project is inspired by the solo show ‘Into Our Skies’ created by Lucy and supported by UCLANDance. 

 

The Space in Schools videos and resources will be made freely available to schools and parents. Interested teachers and parents can register their interest by logging onto the following website address:- https://uclan.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/ios-schools-registration

 

Astronomy and dance are being combined in a new project to help engage primary school pupils with the wonders of space.

 

^Alex Ashworth CCG Art Blogger