SYDNEY OBSERVATORY
EDUCATION PROGRAMS 2013
Inspire your students with a visit to Australia’s oldest observatory and fort. Look
through telescopes historic and new, travel through space in 3-D, learn indigenous
sky stories in Sydney’s newest digital planetarium and collect data to make a weather
report. Close to the CBD, Fort Phillip (1848) and Sydney Observatory (1858) are
heritage-listed and are located adjacent to the Rocks - the perfect excursion precinct for
all years. All tours are tailored to the needs of the group.
We offer discounted rates when your visit is combined with the Powerhouse Museum,
IMAX, Rocks Walking Tours, Sydney Learning Adventures or the Australian National
Maritime Museum.
Indigenous astronomy
STAGES 2–3 (YEARS 3–6)
$15 per student or $14 joint visit
(Cost includes an Indigenous star wheel and hands on activities).
Duration: 90 minutes
Maximum 40 students per group
Discover the new Shared Skies, Shared Colony program. Make an Indigenous star
wheel, learn how to tell time using the stars, observe the Sun (weather permitting).
Make a version of a message stick and compare it to the signals made from Fort
Phillip.
Curriculum links
K-6 Science and Technology
BES2.2, BES2.3, ICS2.1, ICS2.2, ICS2.3, LTS2.2, ESS2.2, BES3.1, BES3.2, BES3.3,
ICS3.1, ICS3.2, PPS3.1, PPS3.2, PPS3.3, PPS3.4, PSS3.2, ESS3.1, ESS3.2, ESS3.3
K-6 HSIE
ENS2.5, CCS2.1, CCS2.2, SSS2.8, CUS2.3, CUS2.4, CCS3.1, CCS3.2 CUS3.3, CUS3.4
Astronomy
STAGES 2–6 (YEARS 3–12)
$10 per student or $9 joint visit
Duration: 90 minutes
Engage in a 3-D astronomy session in the Space Theatre, experience perfectly clear
skies and dark surroundings in the new digital planetarium (including Indigenous sky
stories and how to find south using the Southern Cross) and of course look through
the oldest working telescope in Australia and the computerised modern telescope at
the Sun, weather permitting.
Curriculum links:
Stages 2–3 Science and Technology: BES2.1, BES2.2, BES2.3, ICS2.1, ICS2.2,
ICS2.3, LTS2.2, PPS2.1, PPS2.3, PSS2.3, ESS2.1, ESS2.2, ESS2.3, BES3.1, BES3.2,
BES3.3, ICS3.1, ICS3.2, LTS3.1, PPS3.1, PPS3.2, PPS3.3, PPS3.4, PSS3.2, ESS3.1,
ESS3.2, ESS3.3
Stages 2–3 Mathematics: MES1.5, MS1.5, SGS2.3
Stages 2–3 HSIE: CCS2.1, CUS2.4, ENS2.5, ENS2.6, SSS2.7, CCS3.1, CUS3.4,
Stages 4–5 Science: 4.1, 4.5, 4.6, 4.9, 4.12, 5.1, 5.5, 5.6, 5.9
Stages 4–5 History: 4.1, 4.2, 4.4, 4.5, 4.9, 5.1, 5.2, 5.4
Stages 4–5 Geography: Maps: 4G1, 4G2, 4G3, Fieldwork: 4G1, 4G4, Maps: 5A1,
5A2, 5A4
Stage 6 Physics: 8.5 The Cosmic Engine: 8.5.1, 8.5.2, 8.5.3, 8.5.4; 9.2 Space: 9.2.1,
9.2.3, 9.2.4; 9.7 Option, Astrophysics: 9.7.1, 9.7.2, 9.7.3, 9.7.4, 9.7.5, 9.7.6
Stage 6 Senior Science: 9.9 Option — Space Science: 9.9.1, 9.9.2, 9.9.4, 9.9.5
SYDNEY OBSERVATORY EDUCATION PROGRAMS 2013
Meteorology
STAGES 1–4 (YEARS K–8)
$10 per student or $9 joint visit
Duration: 90 minutes (plus a free 15 minute telescope option)
Visit the Observing the Weather exhibition and learn how to read weather maps.
Calibrate and use real instruments to gather and record current weather data to make
a weather report. Take up the free option to visit the nearby Bureau of Meteorology
lawn to discover where Sydney’s real data is collected and view the Sun through a
telescope.
Curriculum links
Stages 1–3 Science and Technology: BES1.1, BES1.2, ICS1.1, ICS1.2, LTS1.3,
PPS1.1, PPS1.2, PPS1.3,PSS1.1, PSS1.2, ESS1.1, ESS1.2, ESS1.3, BES2.1, BES2.2,
BES2.3, ICS2.1, ICS2.2, ICS2.3, LTS2.2, ESS2.2, BES3.1, BES3.2, BES3.3, ICS3.1,
ICS3.2, PPS3.1, PPS3.2, PPS3.3, PPS3.4, PSS3.2, ESS3.1, ESS3.2, ESS3.3
Stages 1–3 HSIE: CCS1.1, CUS1.3, ENS1.5, CCS2.1, ENS2.5, ENS2.6, SSS2.7, CCS3.1,
CUS3.4
Stages 1–3 Mathematics: MES1.5, MS1.5, SGS2.3
Stage 4 Mathematics: DS4.1
Stages 4–5 Science: 4.1, 4.5, 4.6, 4.9, 4.12, 4.15, 4.18, 4.19, 4.22, 5.1, 5.5, 5.6, 5.9,
5.15, 5.17, 5.19
Stages 4–5 History: 4.1, 4.4, 4.5, 4.9, 5.1, 5.2, 5.4
Stages 4–5 Geography: Maps: 4G1, 4G2, 4G3, 4G4, Fieldwork: 4G1, 4G4, Graphs and
Statistics: 4G2, 4G3; Maps: 5A1, 5A2, 5A3, 5A4, Fieldwork: 5A2, 5A3, Focus Area E1
Night sessions
STAGES 1–6
$12 per student or $11 joint visit
Duration: 90 minutes
Students are led through 3-D Space Theatre demonstrations and the telescope domes
by an astronomy guide and, weather permitting, see a wide range of astronomical
objects. Sessions are at 8.15pm (also at 6.15pm during winter).
HSC Relativity
STAGE 6
$15 per student (teachers accompanying a minimum of two students are free)
Tuesdays by appointment only, 6pm – 8pm
Although more than a century old, Einstein’s theory is our best description of the way
space and time work together. This is a stunning 3-D workshop with problem solving,
led by Dr Paul Payne. Telescope viewing is included, weather permitting.
BOOK NOW AT
sydneyobservatory.com
Bookings & Information: (02) 9921 3485
Monday to Friday, 8:30am – 4pm
Or contact Senior Astronomy Educator Geoff Wyatt:
ph (02) 9921 3481, [email protected]