Case Studies

Case Study - Inspirational Domes

Felmore primary school in Basildon, Essex, spearheaded an 'Inspirational Domes' project for creative, environmental and educational learning within the grounds of its school.

Environmental arts company Circling the Square was commissioned to work with the school on a design and build basis; planning and designing with pupils and staff the three dome structures and landscaped areas that constitute Felmore School's own 'Mini Eden Project'. The design process included pupils and teachers going on research trips to the Eden Project in Cornwall and Writtle Horticultural College in Chelmsford, investigating ‘dome’ projects in the UK and Europe and on-going creative learning sessions to maximise the potential use of the scheme.

The project comprises three dome structures. Two of these domes are to be geodesic glass 'Solardome' structures; one for housing tropical plants and the other for multi-functional educational activities. The smaller ‘eco’ Solardome will house tropical plants (similar to the biomes at the Eden Project) and the larger ‘atelier’ Solardome will be multi-functional, with space for a wide range of creative learning activities, sensory learning, movement, creative participatory workshops and interactive exhibitions. This will be a stimulating space for running ‘hands on’ workshops linked to environmental themes across the school curriculum.

Encompassing art, english, design & technology, maths, science, geography and history, the 'Inspirational Domes' project aims to promote cross-disciplinary environment-themed learning that is relevant to the whole primary school curriculum.

Case Study - Pupils Over the Moon with their Dome!

Neston Primary School's Solardome was inspired by their achievement of becoming the first primary school in the UK to speak to an astronaut via video link-up with the International Space Station.

Neston wanted to further nurture the pupils’ enthusiasm for the event by building a dome which would act as a mini 'space station' and went on to receive a £35,000 grant from the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts.

Their moonbase is powered by solar cells and rechargeable batteries. Packed with hi-tech equipment, the structure provides a centre for continued learning and scientific experimentation. A link to the school’s ICT suite enables children to work interactively in the dome whilst communicating with their peers in the classroom. Web cameras and a Skpe internet phone system allow for communication between the two locations.

The pupils, also known as 'Nestonauts', can learn through a model solar system, controllable robot arm, loudspeakers and LED display boards. An additional outdoor classroom, or learning zone, was added in May 2008 and can be used by other schools in good weather.

"We believe that it is very important for the children to be excited about learning science," says headteacher Linda Davies. "The children love to use the moonbase and it has fired their enthusiasm for science. Standards achieved at KS2 Sats have improved," she says. "Prospective parents are totally amazed when they come to visit the school and we are now significantly oversubscribed."

Read the coverage about Neston Primary School’s Solardome as featured in the July 2008 edition of Teachers magazine: www.teachernet.gov.uk/teachers