The Royal Observatory Greenwich is offering a free online course on Teaching Primary Science: the Solar System and Beyond.

This course is designed for primary school teachers and home educators, who have an interest in expanding their knowledge of space, the Solar System and science more broadly, and improving their primary science lessons.

In this three week course, applicants will improve their knowledge of space science to help them deliver primary science lessons that are out of this world.

Course At Glance

Length: 3 weeks
Effort: 3 hours/week
Subject: Teaching Primary Science: the Solar System and Beyond
Institution: Royal Observatory Greenwich and Future learn
Languages: English
Price: Free
Certificate Available: Yes
Session: Ongoing

Providers’ Details

The Royal Observatory at Greenwich was founded by Charles II in 1675 and is one of the most important historic scientific sites in the world. Today the Observatory is a museum and science center offering inspiring, curriculum-linked experiences delivered by real astronomers based around real cutting edge science.

About This Course

Understanding the Solar System and how to teach it can be a tricky business. Fortunately, astronomers at the Royal Observatory Greenwich are here to help.

Why Take This Course?

This is a free online course. This MOOC will be offered with Video Transcripts in English.  Applicants can get a verified certificate.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, you’ll be able to…

• Explain the scientific concepts behind the Sun, Earth, Moon system, the seasons, eclipses and the Solar System and interpret them in an appropriate, accurate and understandable way for your students.
• Apply your knowledge and experiment with new methods of teaching space science.
• Openly discuss challenging topics within the field of astronomy and space science with your class.
• Reflect on your perceptions of science and scientists so that you can self-modify any perceptions that could be potentially discouraged students from exploring the subject further.
• Identify reliable sources of information relating to cutting edge astronomy and space science and lead a discussion with your students about how real science, real people and real data relates to the world around us.

Requirements

This course is designed for primary school teachers and home educators, who have an interest in expanding their knowledge of space, the Solar System and science more broadly, and improving their primary science lessons.

Instructors

Liz Avery
Senior Manager: Astronomy Education at the Royal Observatory Greenwich.

How To Join This Course

• Go to the course website link
• Sign Up At FutureLearn
• Select a course and Join
• Once a course has started, the applicant will be able to access the course material
• After the start date, students will be able to access the course by following the Go To Course link on My Courses page.
• Applicants can buy, to show that they have completed a FutureLearn course.
• On some FutureLearn courses, learners will be able to pay to take an exam to qualify for a Statement of Attainment. (These are university-branded, printed certificates that provide proof of learning on the course topic(s)).

Apply Now