Events | The Schools' Observatory

We love sharing our passion for space and science with schools! Throughout the year, we run special events designed to excite and inspire young learners.

From live lectures to hands-on workshops, these events are free and open to schools in the UK.

Keep an eye on this page for upcoming events and ways to get involved.

A space-themed Events banner with a calendar icon on the left and a rocket launching through clouds on the right, alongside The Schools’ Observatory and Liverpool John Moores University logos.

Primary Christmas Lecture

Every December, we invite UK primary schools from the Liverpool City Region (LCR) to join us for a festive science adventure!

Our Primary Christmas Lecture is a free, fun-packed event designed for pupils in Years 5 and 6. Each year, we explore a different space-related theme with exciting visuals, stories, and demonstrations.

Previous topics have included:

Snow Place Like Home
Elf Space Adventure
Santa Space-vacation

The session includes:

A 45-minute interactive talk full of surprises
A 15-minute Q&A, where pupils can ask their cosmic questions

The event lasts around 1 hour in total. Start times and locations may change slightly each year, but full details are shared in advance. Schools are welcome to arrive a little early to settle in.

We know travel can be a challenge. If your school may need help getting to the venue, please contact us – we’re happy to discuss options.

Due to limited space, we can accept one class per school. A second class can be added to a reserve list, but attendance is not guaranteed.

This year's event is fully booked but if you are Interested in taking part in next year, please email us at SchoolsObs@ljmu.ac.uk to express your interest.

Making Space for Women in STEM

A presenter speaks to a large audience of students in a lecture theatre, with a slide about diversity in the STEM workforce displayed on a large screen behind them.

As part of British Science Week every year in March. The Schools' Observatory run a special event to celebrate the role of women in STEM and inspire the next generation of female scientists.

The event highlights the amazing work of women in science and creates space for pupils to see themselves in future science careers. Pupils hear from researchers working at Liverpool John Moores University’s Astrophysics Research Institute and The Schools’ Observatory. They share stories about their career journeys, what sparked their interest in space, and how they overcame barriers to succeed.

The goal of the event is to show that science is for everyone. Pupils leave with real role models, new knowledge, and a fresh sense of what they could achieve in the future.

This event is open to UK schools in the Liverpool City Region, with limited spaces. To express your interest, please email us at outreach@ljmu.ac.uk.

Work Experience Week

Each summer, the Astrophysics Research Institute (home to The Schools' Observatory) runs a non-residential work experience week for year 12 (or equivalent) students.

This week consists of talks and workshops covering various topics such as astrophysics, astronomical data, and science communication.

The students will work in pairs to research an area of astrophysics and produce a poster summarising their work which will give the students an idea of how professional research is done at a university.

There will also be opportunities to talk with current students about what it is like to go to university.

Our next Work Experience Week will take place in July 2026, and applications will open around January 2026. All details, including criteria and how to apply, will be available on our Work Experience Week webpage.

Three stacked photos showcasing work experience at the Astrophysics Research Institute (ARI). The first image shows students interacting with equipment at the National Schools' Observatory booth. The second image features a group of students posing with certificates. The third image shows students working on laptops in a classroom setting.

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