ARMAGH
PLANETARIUM OUTREACH TEAM & WATERFORD INSTITUTE
OF TECHNOLOGY
The
beautiful ecclesiastical surroundings of the
Good Shepherd Convent was one of the venues
for the 2003 Waterford Science Festival organised
by the Waterford
Institute of Technology. During the event
the Armagh Planetarium Educational Outreach
Team entertained over 1000 primary and post
primary children with a variety of exciting
science workshops.
(LEFT)
THE STARDOME PLANETARIUM LOCATED IN THE
ECCLESIASTICAL SURROUNDINGS OF THE GOOD
SHEPHERD CONVENT.
(RIGHT)
STARDOME PRESENTER JULIE THOMPSON SHOWS
A YOUNG VISITOR A 4.5 BILLION YEAR OLD METEORITE.
Click
on image for a larger view.
Live star shows for all ages and abilities
were performed inside the Planetarium's portable
Stardome planetarium. All shows included a
tour of the current night sky, as well as
incorporating other topics such as the Solar
System, Greek mythology and meteorites.
(LEFT)
SCHOOL PUPILS ASSIST DIRECTOR TOM MASON
IN AN ELECTRIFYING SCIENCE DEMONSTRATION.
Click
on image for a larger view.
Dr
Tom Mason delivered a series of fun workshops
on electricity and magnetism. Using household
materials such as balloons and woollen jumpers
the children were encouraged to participate
by generating their own static electricity.
They investigated the difference between current
and static electricity and experimented on
materials to find good conductors.
(LEFT)
POST PRIMARY PUPILS PREPARE TO BOARD THE
STARDOME PLANETARIUM.
(RIGHT)
PUPILS INVESTIGATE STATIC ELECTRICITY USING
A PLASMA BALL.
Click
on image for a larger view.
Science
festivals like this are an important way of
bringing the unique services of Armagh Planetarium
to a wider audience. They allow the Planetarium
to reach children living in the south of Ireland
for whom travelling to Armagh is not practical.
(LEFT)
CHILDREN LAUGH WITH DELIGHT AS DIRECTOR
TOM MASON PERFORMS A SCIENCE DEMONSTRATION
WITH THE 'HELP' OF THEIR TEACHER!
