Home

International Heliophysical Year (IHY) celebrates 50 years of space exploration with a worldwide programme of scientific research and outreach events based around the Sun and its effects on the Solar System. It is an initiative from the United Nations: www.sunearthplan.net  This website exists as a permanent resource on the Stockton Teaching Resource and Information Network, not only for the duration of IHY but for future use of the Sun and solar observing within the classroom environment as a tool of scientific method and enquiry within the curriculum.

The Planetarium in association with Stockton CLC, The Open University and The Mullard Space Science Laboratory are presenting a series of inter-related events to celebrate IHY 2007/08 for both schools and the public, details of which can be found under the About Menu above.

The schools strand of this programme will run for the academic year 2007/08 and is full of useful material that can be used across the curriculum year upon year. It is running for this year with the support of the Planetarium and thereafter will stand alone with this website as a permanent resource.  The key element of this programme is the making and use of three pieces of equipment outlined under the Resource Menu which can be used to develop the theme of the Sun and it’s effect on the Earth and the other planets across wide areas of the National Curriculum from KS2 through to KS5 (and not only in science).

• Schools from across the North-East region of England are requested to register their interest in participating in this programme by 5pm on Friday 19th October 2007.
• A FREE Solar Scope will be offered to the first 20 schools to register with the planetarium to take part in this programme:
  • Solar Scopes must be collected from the planetarium and are issued on condition of participation in the programme and the production of some course work relevant to the programme.
• A £50 Travel Bursary will be available to the first 20 schools to register with the planetarium to be used to attend an event or talk at the planetarium relevant to this programme:
  • Travel Bursaries will be issued upon production of an invoice to the planetarium claiming the money.

The Planetarium and Observatory are an educational resource of Stockton Borough Council. They are a joint venture between the local authority and the Cleveland and Darlington Astronomical Society, supporting science education on Teesside and across the northeast.

Phone: +44 (0) 1740 630544
Fax:      +44 (0) 1740 630544
Email:  director@wynyard-planetarium.net
Web:    www.wynyard-planetarium.net
Map:     View a google map