A Teacher’s Guide to Booking a WonderDome Educational Experience: What to Expect
Booking an educational WonderDome workshop is one of the most exciting ways to enhance your classroom learning.
Whether it’s for Science Week, a topic launch, a reward activity, or an immersive curriculum session, a WonderDome experience will transform your classroom into a space of curiosity, excitement, and real-world scientific discovery.
If you’ve never booked a WonderDome session before, you might be wondering how it works, what you need to prepare, and what happens on the day.
This guide will walk you through the entire process, making it simple, clear, and stress-free.
Inside the WonderDome, immersed in new science discoveries
1. Understanding What a WonderDome Experience Involves
A WonderDome school workshop brings the universe to your school!
Our immersive dome creates a 360-degree environment where students can explore everything from space to Earth science in an immersive way.
During the session, pupils can expect to:
· Journey through the solar system, exploring planets and stars
· Engage with visual, animated content that brings science concepts to life
· Ask questions and have them answered in real-time by expert presenters .
· Learn about scientific phenomena such as gravity, energy, and forces.
Our workshops are designed to be engaging, fun, and curriculum-linked, making them suitable for pupils across a wide range of ages and abilities, from EYFS to Secondary and SEN students.
2. How to Book Your WonderDome Encounter
Booking a WonderDome workshop is easy and flexible. Here’s how the process typically works.
Step 1: Complete an enquiry form and choose a Date & Time
Consider these options for your WonderDome experience:
· Science Week
· Topic introductions & summaries (e.g., space, Solar System, exploration, significant historic events)
· Reward days
· End-of-year experiences
Sessions are available on flexible dates and times to fit around your school schedule.
Step 2: Share Key Information
Let us know a few details about your class:
· Age group(s)
· Preferred session length (Half or Full Day)
· Number of students
· Any SEN or accessibility needs
· Location of the workshop within the school (classroom, hall, library, etc.)
This information helps us tailor the experience to best suit your students.
Step 3: Confirm Your Booking
Once all the details are finalised, you’ll receive a confirmation email with:
· Date and timings
· Session duration
· Safety and setup information
Once you’ve received this, you’re all set to go!
3. Preparing the Hall
Great news: you don’t need to prepare anything! We bring everything with us, so there’s no stress for teachers.
Here’s what you should ensure for a smooth experience:
· A clear space for the dome setup (around 6 metres in diameter and 3.7 metres in height)
· A calm, positive atmosphere so students can focus on the experience
The best place for the WonderDome is a school or sports hall.
The ceilings are usually high enough and the room is usually wide enough.
If you’re concerned about space, check out our guide to measure if the dome will fit in the downloads section.
4. What Happens on the Day
On the day of your WonderDome workshop, here’s what you can expect:
Arrival & Setup
Your Presenter will arrive ahead of time to set up the WonderDome, which is a mobile structure that can be quickly inflated and readied for use.
Introduction & Safety Briefing
Before starting, our Presenter will give a brief safety briefing on how to behave in the dome to each group:
· How to sit, focus, and participate in the session
· Respecting the equipment and other students
· Encouraging questions and curiosity throughout
Interactive Learning Session
Once the session begins, students will be fully immersed in a 360-degree dome experience that brings space to life.
Topics covered might include:
· Space & Astronomy: Exploring the planets, stars, and galaxies
· Forces & Energy: Understanding gravity, motion, and energy transfer
· Space exploration: our journey beyond Earth to the Moon and beyond
The Presenter will adapt the explanations to suit the age and level of understanding of your students, and the experience is designed to be highly interactive and engaging.
Wrap-Up & Questions
At the end of the session, students will have the opportunity to ask questions and reflect on what they’ve learned.
This is an excellent time to encourage critical thinking and foster further curiosity about the topic.
Presenter-led shows, aligned with curriculum learning objectives
5. Safety, Welfare & Professional Standards
We follow strict welfare and safety protocols to ensure a secure and enjoyable experience for everyone involved:
· Fully insured workshops
· DBS-checked presenters
· High standards of care for all equipment
· Clear risk assessments for every session
· Inclusive adaptations for SEN pupils
Teachers can feel confident that the session will be delivered in a safe, responsible, and professional manner.
We’re proud to say we achieved the LOtC Quality badge and continue to adhere to the high standards it demands.
LOtC Quality Badge achieved for our adherence & continued maintenance of the safety & learning standards.
6. After the Workshop
Many schools extend the learning with follow-up activities, such as:
· Writing recounts or reports based on the experience
· Sketching space scenes, planets, or natural phenomena
· Creating posters about scientific topics like energy or ecosystems
· Conducting mini-research projects
· Setting up Science Week displays
· PSED/PSHE discussions about sustainability and caring for the environment
The excitement and inspiration from the WonderDome often spark further lessons and creative projects that continue well beyond the workshop itself.
Check out our free lesson plans and fun space themed activities .
We also have the Big Space Book which looks at the Solar System and beyond.
Why Teachers Love WonderDome Workshops
✔ Completely immersive & inspiring
✔ Engaging and unforgettable
✔ No preparation required
✔ Curriculum-aligned content
✔ Suitable for all ages and abilities
✔ Encourages enthusiasm and participation
A WonderDome workshop is more than just a lesson.
It’s an experience your students will cherish and remember for years to come.
Fully immersed in their learning inside the WonderDome.
Ready to Book Your WonderDome Educational Experience?
If you’re looking for an exciting, stress-free activity that brings science to life in an immersive way, a WonderDome workshop is the perfect choice.
Complete the Enquiry Form today and start booking your WonderDome visit to make your next Science Week unforgettable!
WonderDome: Leading the Way in Mobile Planetariums
Mobile planetariumWonderDome offers a fully immersive experience, taking you on a journey through the cosmos.
Perfect for all ages and abilities.
We now boast a team of 15 presenters, located all over the UK, establishing us as the largest – and best – mobile planetarium organisation in the UK.
Stay Connected for Astronomy News and Events.
Follow WonderDome mobile planetarium on Twitter / X, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to stay up to date on the latest news, shows and offers.
Or visit our website at wonderdome.co.uk. WonderDome is part of the Service4Education Group
