Engaged children, thoughtful questions and a different experience for every class.
A governor’s report from Great Tey offers a first-hand account of a WonderDome visit in action.
How do you drink in space? Which planet is hottest?
How do astronauts make sure they have enough oxygen?
At Great Tey Primary School’s WonderDome visit, the questions kept coming.
School governor Lotte Nickel joined three sessions on 3 November 2026.
Inside the inflatable planetarium, she watched children explore distant worlds, investigate life aboard the International Space Station and put their space knowledge to the test.
Her verdict?
“All children were concentrated throughout – I did not see a single bored child.”
Children fully engaged throughout the show (image illustrative)
Three classes. Three different adventures.
Several classes had recently studied space-related topics.
Now they had the opportunity to take that learning further.
Each class brought its own curiosity into the WonderDome.
For Woodpeckers (Y5/6), exploring the planets opened up a journey into Moon missions and life aboard the International Space Station.
Sparrows (Y1/2) discovered that even brushing your teeth becomes an adventure in space.
And with Robins (Y3/4), everyday questions about eating, drinking and sleeping took the session in new directions which saw their enthusiasm helping to shape what was shown in the WonderDome.
As Lotte observed:
“Each presentation was different and the presenter tried to focus on what the children were interested in / had been taught rather than a preset format.”
Different children brought different interests. The presenter responded with a different journey for each class.
Children feeling comfortable in the WonderDome (image illustrative)
Getting comfortable. Thinking big.
Some children lay on their backs for a better view.
Around them, space became the setting for questions, discoveries and shared knowledge.
Lotte described the children as: “Fascinated, excited and relaxed”.
They felt comfortable asking questions, and she noticed children waiting their turn and listening to one another.
Their curiosity stretched from the hottest planet to the time it takes to reach the Moon.
In the Robins session, questions actively drove the content shown.
There was room to follow an intriguing idea and time for questions at the end of every session too.
A presenter who could follow their curiosity
Behind each session was our Presenter, Sherry, ready to turn children’s interests into opportunities to explore.
Lotte singled out her expertise and enthusiasm:
“The Presenter was very impressive with her knowledge and enthusiasm and how she reacted to what the children wanted with her content.”
That responsiveness connected the immersive visuals with the children watching them.
A question could open up a new discussion. Existing knowledge could become the starting point for the next discovery.
During a break, the Sherry told Lotte that this was her dream job. She loved sharing her knowledge with children.
Present-led shows (illustrative image)
More to discover next time
The differences between the presentations also made an impression on Lotte, who welcomed the idea of a return visit.
For schools planning their annual enrichment programme, that flexibility opens up fresh possibilities.
New topics, developing knowledge and a new set of questions can shape another visit as children grow.
And for the governor watching it all unfold, there was a personal reflection:
“I personally wish that I had had such a fantastic presentation as a child”
At Great Tey, that opportunity came to the children, in their own school hall.
Where could your pupils’ questions take them? Visit wonderdome.co.uk to explore a WonderDome visit for your school.
Based on Lotte Nickel’s governor visit report, following the Great Tey WonderDome visit on 3 November 2026. Quotes and observations relate to that visit. To read the full report click here [link = https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LV-kStZ3kUUENS8CkaQqwb_QmW9N7w0q/view?usp=sharing]
We are very grateful to Great Tey Primary School for granting permission for the report to be shared.
Children entering Wonderdome (illustrative image)
WonderDome: Leading the Way in Mobile Planetariums
WonderDome 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.
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