School Day Tours & OSHC Tours

Maximum Group Size

School Day Tour Size

The maximum number of students we can cater to for school tours or home school visits is 60. If you have between 50 and 60 students, we require five activities to be chosen which will ensure the group’s size is effective, The minimum number is 15 except in special circumstances approved by the School Day Tours Subcommittee

Out Of School Holiday Care Tour Size

For Out Of School Holiday Care tour visits, the maximum number of students we can cater to is 40. The minimum number is 20 except in special circumstances approved by the School Day Tours Subcommittee

Please contact us if you are interested in a student tour outside the year levels listed or have more than 60 students (school tours) or 40 students (OSHC tours) so we can discuss ways to accommodate you.

If you have a larger group that you would like to attend and are able to split the attendees into two groups, we are happy to do two tours in one day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon with only three activities per group or run tours over two days.

Length of Visit

School Day Tour Activities

Indicates that a telescope is seen or involved

Year 2, 3, and 4 Day Tour Activities

M1. Meteorites and the Moon

The students see the (very large) piece of a meteorite in the Observatory Museum, with a discussion covering the history of the meteorite and the most common origins of meteorites. The students then engage in activities demonstrating the moon phases and why we see them.

M2. Our Solar System

Students will look at the order of the planets in the solar system along a scaled route. This will be followed by an extension activity related to the Solar System.

M3. Sun, Earth and Moon

This activity compares the sizes of the sun, earth and moon and then engages the students in role-play to show how the sun, moon and earth interact. An introductory look at the planets is also included with a mnemonic to help remember the order of the planets from the sun

M4. Lowell Telescope 1

This was the main research telescope at the observatory. Students will learn about some aspects of astronomical research and how the telescope works. There will be a discussion about the Mars exploration program and the use of helicopters on Mars, and the student will then make a paper helicopter.

M5. Astrograph 1

By being allowed to move the telescope, students will see how this historical telescope (1896) was still being used in the 1990s for astrophotography. Students are introduced to the long-drawn-out process of taking photographs in the past which is compared to modern photography.

M6. Here comes the Sun

Weather permitting, students look at shadows and how they change as the sun appears to move across the sky. They will then move to an area where they will view and discuss images of the sun. The students are presented with some limited information about our Sun.

(Do not choose M7 if you select this activity)

M7. Shadows and Sundials

Weather permitting, students look at shadows and how they change as the sun appears to move across the sky. They examine the Observatory sundial and make a paper sundial which they can use and compare to the time on the Observatory sundial and then take back to school.

(Do not choose M7 if you select this activity)

M8. Sunshine and Rainbows

Students use objects to produce rainbows on a screen. The reason for rainbows is discussed as well as their link to astronomy. The students then have a look at objects through coloured filters to see what happens to the rainbows

Note: If you would like the children to use the ‘rainbow glasses’ there will be an extra $1.00 charge per student and the rainbow glasses can be taken home.

M10. Telescope Tour

This gives the students an opportunity to look at two or three of the Observatory’s old and more modern telescopes and learn a little bit about their history and what they were used for. This is a useful addition if you would like the students to leave having seen some telescopes but your choices do not include any.

M12. Worl Wangkiny – Noongar Sky Stories

An introduction to the Noongar use of the night sky and some Noongar stories

Year 5/6 Day Tour Activities

U1. Meteorites and More

The students see the (very large) piece of a meteorite in the Observatory’s Museum, with a discussion covering the history of the meteorite and interesting information about them. They then engage in activities that demonstrate relationships between the Sun, Earth and Moon.

U2. Solar Walk

This walk demonstrates the distances between the planets using a scale model with facts about the planets presented as they walk. They then try to fit carded information to the right planet discussing specific aspects of some planets.

U3. Solar Rings

The students use team work to sort the planets into order on our solar rings diagram and then work out which orbital times belong to which planet. Students try to work out how old they would be on some of the planets based on the length of the planets’ orbits. They then engage in an activity which looks at the sizes of the planets and are given a mnemonic to remember the size order.

U4. Lowell Telescope 2

This was the main research telescope at the observatory. Students will learn about some aspects of astronomical research and how the telescope works. The Mars rover and helicopter exploration may be briefly discussed. They will then engage in an investigation related to gravity and mass.

U5. Astrograph 2

By being allowed to move the telescope, students will see how this historical telescope (1896) was still being used in the 1990s for astrophotography. Students are introduced to the long, drawn-out process of taking photographs in the past which is compared to modern photography.

U6. Seeing the Sun

Weather permitting, students get the opportunity to look at the sun in real-time safely in two different ways. The first is using Sunspotters. The students use these instruments to project an image of the sun indirectly onto a piece of white paper. They are instructed to ensure they do not look at the sun.

The second is using a dedicated solar telescope with inbuilt solar filters and students look through the telescope at the sun. At all times there is an emphasis on safely looking at the sun and the students are instructed to never look at the sun through any other telescope. They then engage in a discussion explaining some of the sun’s activities.

U8. Survival on the Moon

Students learn a bit more about the moon and do a NASA-designed activity to see if they and their friends would survive a crash on the moon.

U10. Telescope Tour

This gives the students an opportunity to look at two or three of the Observatory’s old and more modern telescopes and learn a little bit about their history and what they were used for. This is a useful addition if you would like the students to leave having seen some telescopes but your choices do not include any.

U12. Worl Wangkiny – Noongar Sky Stories

An introduction to the Noongar use of the night sky and some Noongar stories

Please Note: If the weather does not allow for outside activities, activities presenting similar concepts will take place inside the main building. However, if at all possible, some activities will take place in the domes so that students. can see the telescopes. Perth Observatory reserves the right to change or adjust these activities as necessary.

Vacation Day Tours Activities

The children will be split into groups by age. Each group has a separate set of activities suited to that age group.

Please note: School tour activities are not available during the school holidays

Day Tour Activities For Kids 4-6 Years Old

A variety of activities around the themes of ‘The Colours of the Sun’, ‘Our Place in Space’ and ‘Domes and Fairy Doors’ will be chosen by the presenters to suit the groups.

Day Tour Activities For Kids 7-9 Years Old

MHC1. Who are our Neighbours

The children are introduced to the planets of our Solar System They then reinforce

their understanding of the order of the planets by making a planet wheel.

MHC2. Constellation Capers 1

The children look at constellations either on a poster or on a screen and then make a ‘constellation tube’ showing one of the constellations they have looked at.

MHC3. Sun & Sundials

Students learn about the Observatory sundial and make their own paper sundial to take home.

MHC4. Deep Impact

The children are engaged in discussing and examining the Observatory meteorite and learning about craters. They watch a demonstration of how craters are made and then enjoy using objects to make craters.

Day Tour Activities For Kids 10-12 Years Old

UHC1. Meteorites and Museums

The children will visit our museum and see and learn about our meteorite which is usually very popular. Time permitting other exhibits may be discussed and may extend into demonstration and discussion of a simple orrery.

UHC2. Helicopters on Mars

Children will learn something about Mars exploration and then make and test a paper helicopter to take home

UHC3. Constellation Capers 2

The children look at constellations either on a poster or on a screen and then make a ‘constellation wheel’ showing some of the constellations they have looked at.

UHC4. Talking about Telescopes

Children tour the Observatory’s old and new telescopes

Please Note: If the weather does not allow for outside activities, activities presenting similar concepts will take place inside the main building. However, if at all possible, some activities will take place in the domes so that students can see the telescopes. Perth Observatory reserves the right to change or adjust these activities as necessary.

School Required Documents

To help you plan and submit the paperwork for your school excursion, we have provided the necessary documents below:

• Certificate of Insurance
• COVID Safety Plan
• Excursion Management Information
• Fire and Medical Emergency Procedures
• School Day Tour Terms & Conditions