School Visits

Discover the UCL Observatory through school visits. Inspiring astronomy sessions, hands-on activities, and expert-led tours bring space science to life for students of all ages.

Astronomy in the classroom, school and observatory visits (KS2 to A Level):

The programme has run successfully for a number of years, exciting young minds about the challenges and rewards of a career in Astrophysics and space sciences at UCL, and reaching audiences of over 2000 pupils annually. Enquiries both for schools visits to the Observatory and for lectures delivered at schools can be made by contacting the Observatory.

Please note:

  1. Dates: Visits to the Observatory are available only for selected dates, normally for 11:00-13:00 or 14:00-16:00 sessions (see the calendar, below). Visits to schools can be made at any mutually convenient time, by arrangement. Both elements of the programme are very popular, and bookings are made on a first-come, first-served basis.
  2. Group sizes for UCLO visits should normally be 15–30 students (we can’t accommodate larger groups, and smaller groups don’t make efficient use of our facilities).
  3. Content and nature of the tours (including negotiating some steep, open-tread stairs) mean they may not be suitable for all children younger than 7-8 years old.
  4. Accessibility: All ground-floor locations at UCLO are accessible via ramps with handrails for wheelchair users and anyone else requiring level access. Please note that there are some stairs at the venue, but alternative methods of viewing inaccessible telescopes are offered.
  5. There is an accessible WC (RH transfer) at UCLO. (The accessible WC is 2.0 x 1.5-m; the door has a clear-opening width of 88 cm).
  6. Level vehicular drop-off can be arranged for people who require this; but please contact us in advance to let us know your requirements, so we can arrange access; general visitor-parking on site is not available.
  7. There is no on-site visitor parking (other than by advance arrangement for or wheelchair users and anyone else requiring level access).
  8. Where schools have specific budgets for such activities, we will levy a modest charge to cover staffing costs. Otherwise, visits are free of charge.


For bookings and other enquiries, contact:
Dr Mark Fuller (mark.fuller@ucl.ac.uk) 
or (physast.bookings@ucl.ac.uk)

Resources:

Booking Calendar:
Contact us for dates on for school tours on Wednesdays Nov - March
Check out available slots for Public visits.

School Visits:
Dr Mark Fuller
T: 079 7372 3243
E: mark.fuller@ucl.ac.uk

Public Visits:
Mrs Kay Nakum
T: 020 3549 5807
E: k.nakum@ucl.ac.uk