Walk the solar system - in Dirleton!

Take a trip around the solar system this winter in and around Dirleton.

Dirleton Primary School children worked with Heriot Watt University to create a scale model of our solar system in the village and wider area.  Each stop in the solar system comes  with a QR code and features a clear Perspex plate with a colour image of the planet, showing its surface details and appearance. Above the image is a silver ball to represent the planet’s size according to the installation’s scale. The sun can be found at the centre of Dirleton, while the furthest -away planet, Neptune is located in Archerfield Walled Garden. A billboard has lots of information and pictures that Dirleton's children made. 

Dan Arnold, an associate professor at Heriot-Watt University, said: "At the Dirleton Solar Walk, our mission is to encourage children to discover a passion for science, maths and astronomy through experiencing the wonders of the solar system. We aim to spark interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics {STEM} in schools. Students are at the heart of  this project, engaging with the installation and researching interesting facts and material to share with the public.”

Dirleton Primary School pupil Eilidh (age 7) commented: "Dan helped us to do some really tricky calculations and we helped to measure where everything would go." 

Millie (age 9) added: “We have been really connected to this project and we have been involved in lots of activities including making Lego aliens in groups and creating clay aliens too.”

Watch this space!

Head Teacher Brian Moody attended the launch with some of the school's children, teacher Emma Teacher who was involved in the project. He believes that the project will be of interest to anyone who would like to could come along and ‘experience the solar system’ in our local surrounding, saying:

"All the children in our school will experience the Solar Walk and we will be devising some interactive activities for other pupil’s to enjoy as part of the Edinburgh Science Festival next Spring." 

 Find out more about the project and the Dirleton Solar Walk