That’s exactly what our pre-school and elementary school pupils experienced on May 22 and 23 during a unique and immersive event: two days of astronomical exploration inside a giant inflatable planetarium specially set up in our school gymnasium.
Inside this dome, time stood still. Under a 360° dome, celestial images, cosmic sounds, and stories of space explorers took the children on an unforgettable sensory journey. This original and stimulating initiative was part of our school’s year-long science theme, bringing classroom knowledge to life through curiosity and hands-on experience.
Astrophysicist Tilo Hohenschläger, a University of Kent graduate and member of several international scientific societies, welcomed each group with enthusiasm. Thanks to fulldome fisheye technology, he turned the dome into a spaceship and propelled the pupils to the far reaches of the universe.
Two specially adapted films guided this cosmic adventure. Younger pupils, from maternelle to CE1, met Captain Schnuppe, an adventurous dog exploring the solar system in a high-tech spaceship with his clumsy but lovable sidekick, Sergeant Tuk. Through humor and wonder, they discovered the basics of astronomy: planets, stars, and cardinal directions.
Older pupils, from CE2 onwards, followed the scientific journey of an unlikely pair — a penguin and a polar bear united by their fascination with the night sky. Their adventure took them from the polar night to building an observatory, and eventually a spaceship, to continue their exploration all the way to Mars and Saturn. A poetic yet educational fable that encouraged scientific inquiry while sparking imagination.
Beyond the amazement created by images and sound, this deep dive into space helped consolidate classroom learning. Students rediscovered Earth as just one of many planets, understood why day follows night through Earth’s rotation, and identified the Sun as a star. They also learned to navigate the night sky using the Big Dipper and the North Star, like true little astronomers. To remember the planets in order, they even learned a fun German mnemonic: “Mein Vater erklärt mir jeden Samstag unseren Nachthimmel” — a magical sentence to recall Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Finally, they explored current topics such as climate change and planetary characteristics like size, temperature, and speed—so many opportunities to learn with wide-open eyes and minds.
By combining spectacular visuals, immersive sound, engaging stories, and curriculum-based learning, this celestial interlude turned science into a vibrant and inspiring adventure. This, too, is what school is all about: breaking boundaries, expanding horizons, and cultivating a lifelong desire to learn differently.
A heartfelt thank you to Tilo Hohenschläger and the entire Schuplanetarium team for this cosmic journey that our pupils will never forget!
