The STFC funded SunSpaceArt project brings together scientists and visual artists to work with children at KS2 and KS3. The SunSpaceArt team have already worked with several schools throughout the UK. Through creative activities the children have produced impressive, original, imaginative and beautiful art that communicates a deeper understanding of the Sun, the solar system and ‘Our Place in the Universe’.

The feedback from teachers and children has be very good, expressing their enjoyment of this creative learning method. ‘Thank you so much for a wonderful morning with my Year 5s yesterday. Your visit was very inspirational and the children thoroughly enjoyed it.’ (teacher, Bentfield School). ‘Year 5 had a super time finding out about the Sun and really enjoyed the afternoon’ (headteacher, Henham-Ugley Primary School). 'I loved this experience. I loved the cross of science and art. I didn't really like science before but now I love it!' (children, Bryn Bach Primary School).

The SunSpaceArt team, led by Dr Helen Mason, University of Cambridge, will be running a CPD session on Tuesday, 27 March 2018, from 12:30 –16:00 at the STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL). The event will start with lunch (provided for all participants), followed by a tour of the RAL site. From 14:00 the CPD will take place. Teachers are also invited to join us for the morning (10:00 - 12:30), when we will be running the SunSpaceArt activities with Key Stage 2 pupils. The morning session, lunch and tours are optional for attending the CPD. Teachers leading both arts and science activities are very welcome!

Helen will be joined by Helen Schell, visual artist and ESERO/UK Space Ambassador; Geraldine Cox, Artist in Residence at Imperial College London, and Dr Alessandra Giunta, solar scientist, STFC-RALSpace. This session will allow you to bring more creativity into the classroom, with hands-on activities for KS2 and KS3 students, linking closely with science topics such as: the solar system, light, gravity and magnetism.

STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory is involved in many solar projects, helping us to understand our star, the Sun, and its impact on the Earth’s environment. Please come along and join us to find out about creative ways to inspire your KS2 and KS3 pupils about the Sun, solar system and space exploration!