Into Our Skies: Space in Schools

Schools and colleges

Lucy Starkey Dances and UCLan have collaborated to co-create Into Our Skies: Space in Schools. This project, funded by STFC, uses dance to engage KS2 pupils in the Earth and Space topic. Using exciting, creative and educational resources.

Championing a cross-curricular approach and extending the provision of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) in schools. Into Our Skies: Space in Schools is a free 6-week scheme of work closely aligned with the National Curriculum.

Winner of Times Higher Award 2023

Category: Widening participation or outreach initiative of the year award

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Lucy exploring space through movement
Lucy exploring space through movement

Our aims and approach

About our resources

Our interactive educational videos, classroom investigations and teacher support notes adopt a step-by-step approach. We listened to teachers, asking what they would want from the resources. We hope we have developed a scheme that is both useful and accessible for educators with little preparation required.

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Dr Joanne Pledger with dancer Lucy Starkey
Dr Joanne Pledger with dancer Lucy Starkey

Meet the team

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Lucy Starkey
Lucy Starkey Dances

Lucy Starkey is a performer, choreographer, and the creator of Into Our Skies. She has over 10 years’ experience communicating stories and subjects through high-quality, inspiring dance. She is the director of Lucy Starkey Dances and an artist in residence at UCLanDance.

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Dr Joanne Pledger

Dr Joanne Pledger is a senior lecturer in Astrophysics, STFC researcher and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy who believes that a positive learning experience can make STEM subjects accessible to all. Her public engagement work is centred around creating fun and unique ways that people can explore STEM topics and she has a vast experience of working with teachers, charities and organisations to do this.

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Ruth Spencer

Ruth is an Independent Dance Artist, Senior Lecturer in Higher Education and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy whose work is deeply rooted in Education and Community Practice. Through a person-centred approach, Ruth’s practice encourages individuals to discover and explore movement in relationship to self and other.

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Lee Affen

Lee Affen is a composer, sound designer and has an extensive record in producing high quality creative content in dance, film and theatre. He is a key collaborator in creative teams, with 20 years of experience in making productions that delight audiences up and down the country.

Supported by