education #

StarDome Portable Planetarium

The StarDome* is a portable, inflatable planetarium, which fits into most school halls or gyms. It is 6 metres in diameter, approximately 4 metres high and with space inside for about 30 children or 25 adults to take part in a session within the dome at any one time.



*Please note: the StarDome cannot be set up outdoors.


We only visit schools within a 75 minute drive radius from the National Space Centre. There is an additional charge of 45p per mile for distances over 30 miles.


We offer two different programme schedules:

1. Four 50 minute sessions per day. 

2. Six 30 minute sessions per day.


Click here for an example timetable


During a 30 minute session the presenter will guide the participants through a tour of the night sky. This will include the highlighting of seasonal constellations and the cultural impact that they had. 

During a 50 minute session the presenter will lead a curriculum focused workshop covering a specific topic area. They will also include a short tour of the night sky to allow participants to experience the stars.


Click here to fill out an enquiry form.



Our 50 minute StarDome sessions include;

Light show


Using hands on activities and demonstrations in the Stardome, explore where light comes from, how it moves and why it is so important to us. Then find out more about the night time sky.

Recommended for: KS2

Curriculum Links: Light, Working Scientifically, Earth and Space.


The Life of Stars

Life Cycle of Stars

Follow the life of a star from birth to death as we discover different types of stars. Then explore different examples of these in our night time sky.

Recommended for: Key Stage 3 and 4

Curriculum links: Stellar evolution.

Earth, Moon and Sun


How do these objects interact with each other? Why do we get different seasons? Why does the Moon look different throughout the month? Find out the answers to these questions and more before looking at the night time sky.

Recommended for: Key Stage 2 and 3

Curriculum links: Earth, Moon and Sun, The Earth and Beyond, Myths and legends.

The Planets and Stars


Explore the Solar System by visiting the planets and other objects. Then find out more about the night time sky.

Recommended for: Key Stage 2 and 3

Curriculum links: The Earth and beyond, The Solar System, Earth, Moon and Sun, Myths and legends

Worldwide Star Stories


Worldwide Star Stories looks at star mythology from around the world using stories from the Ancient Greek, Egyptian, Native American and Hindu stargazers.

Recommended for: Key Stages 1 and 2

Curriculum links: Ancient Greeks, Egyptians, Hindu, Myths and Legends, Narrative writing

If you would like an emphasis on Eygptians or Greeks please let us know when booking. 

Suns, Stars and Stories


This programme uses stories to tell us why we have night and day, before looking at some simple star patterns and hearing the stories behind the pictures.

Recommended for: KS1

Curriculum links: Night and Day, Speaking and Listening, Native American stories