Young stargazers’ appeal
4Star role...Robert Smyth Academy is running an astronomy GCSE for the first time and is appealing for donations of telescopes and binoculars. Teacher Steve Althorpe with students Adam Cowen, Freddie Stirling, Joel Konteh and Chloe Godding. (Mail picture by Kelly Cooper: MNCE-06-09-12-KC-8)
STARGAZING pupils are putting their eyes to the skies as part of a new astronomy GCSE course offered at Robert Smyth Academy - but they need your help.
The academy needs binoculars and telescopes to help students complete some of the practical elements of the course, which is being offered at the Burnmill Road academy for the first time this year.
The academy is one of only 30 shcools in the country to have a space education centre and the astronomy course is part of that.
A total of 27 Year 10 pupils enrolled on the GCSE, which will see them learn about the Earth and the Moon, our solar system, the galaxy and the wider universe.
Units include the search for extraterrestrial life and for so-called ‘Goldilocks planets’ - those which are just right in terms of their distance from a star, and therefore theoretically capable of sustaining life.
Science teacher Judith Green told the Mail: “The students also have to do some coursework in which they have to make observations using equipment such as binoculars or a telescope.
“We have a few such items but we could really do with some more. People often think you need a telescope to look at the night sky, well that’s nice but even a pair of binoculars are good. Any donations will be gratefully received.”
Mrs Green said there has been a real transformation in recent years in the way subjects such as astronomy and physics are seen by pupils, thanks in part to Professor Brian Cox and his successful ‘Wonders’ TV series. “It’s genuinely cool to be a geek at school now,” she said.
“We’ve had some really positive feedback from the course so far and a lot of envious comments from older students.”
If you can help phone the academy on 01858 440770 or email salthorpe@rsacademy.co.uk or jgreen@rsacademy.co.uk.
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Weather for Market Harborough
Saturday 18 May 2013
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