The Ballarat Observatory offers a range of programs for schools students that deal with concepts in Astronomy. Our programs can be tailored to suit your learning outcomes.
In addition, our AstroTour school programs provide complete coverage of the current Victorian Science Curriculum – from primary school through to the Victorian Certificate of Education. To help you plan your AstroTour visit, the following table highlights topics that may be discussed and for which year levels they are suitable. Alternatively, we are always happy to customise an AstroTour to suit the topics your students are interested in exploring. Just let us know when you make your booking.
Click here to download an overview of our programs for school groups
Below is an overview of the areas covered.
| Topic | Areas Covered | Year 5 & 6 |
Year 7 & 8 |
Year 9 & 10 |
Year VCE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Earth & Moon | The Earth as a PlanetThe Earth’s rotation and the cycle of night/day The phases of the Moon The orbit of the Earth and other planets around the Sun Time periods: days, months, years The cycle of the seasons |
Yes | Yes | ||
| The Solar System | Overview of the Solar SystemThe eight planets + dwarf planets Comparisons between rocky terrestrial giants Planetary atmospheres Craters and other surface features Little things in the Solar System: comets, asteroids, meteors, Kuiper Belt Objects, Pluto Recent exploration of Mars and the search for water based on Real Data |
Yes | Yes | ||
| Stars | The Sun as a star Nuclear fusion as the Sun’s power source Atoms, elements and the periodic table Life-cycle of the Sun and other stars Star and planet formation End-states of stars: red giant, planetary nebula, white dwarf, supernova Pulsars: properties, locations, tests of gravitational theories Stars in our Galaxy |
Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Galaxies | The Milky Way galaxy Galaxy types: spiral, elliptical and and irregular Comparison of Milky Way with other galaxies Formation of the Milky Way Galaxy interactions and mergers Galaxy groups & clusters |
Yes | Yes | ||
| The Universe | Galaxy surveys The large-scale structure of the Universe The role of Dark Matter in the Universe Computer modelling of the Universe |
Yes | Yes |