We are very busy accommodating school tours at this time of year and are not open to the public whilst the schools are onsite. It is essential to book tickets for available tours in advance as there is a limited capacity. 
The Blackrock Castle Observatory Education Team invite you and your students to join us in an Erasmus + student parliament activity centred on the timely topic of light pollution. Student Parliaments are a long established method by which to deepen student engagement with a given subject. This student parliament will specifically encourage critical thinking skills and scientifically informed debate to further explore light pollution within the framework of 4 themes.
The themes:
- Light Pollution and Impact on Biodiversity
- Light Pollution and Impact on Energy Usage
- Light Pollution and Loss of the Night Sky
- Light Pollution and Satellite Constellations
Teams of 4 to 6 students will research a theme, reviewing facts with experts (this would be a remote session to your class) and then preparing their own resolutions which can be debated by the class (or classes within a school) in a parliamentary setting. A class may choose to focus on just one theme, or all four. The resolutions that are agreed by a school can then be brought together and may even be presented a national level (Subject to scale of uptake). Several of the national parliament teams may then go on to join the international final event.
The project is scheduled to culminate in a European-level online event with our partners in Greece, Portugal and Germany where we will discuss resolutions put forward by each country.
This project is supported by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union.
Audience: This event is ideal for JC and TY students, though LC students are welcome to participate.
Cost: Participation is free
Timeline: In-school activity until March 17th 2024. National parliament at a date between March 17th and Easter (TBD) and European level event post-Easter (TBD. Likely 3rd week of April)
Resources: Student Parliament Guide
Register: To get involved simply contact our education officer Frances today to register your interest.
Project Number: 2021-1-IE01-KA220-SCH-000027825