Hello sunshine... Schoolchildren get chance to explore solar system

A visual education aid dubbed the Sun Dome is being used to give year five and six pupils in 12 primary schools across York a greater insight into the stars and the science behind fusion energy.

The Sun Dome, which is from the Culham Centre for Fusion Energy in Oxfordshire, is part of a science roadshow featuring movies and interactive roleplay that uses a portable inflatable dome set up in the school hall.

Pupils are then taken on the virtual journey to the sun, introducing the processes that occur inside the star and how scientists are using the same processes to create fusion energy for electricity in the future.

First year PhD students from York University's department of physics are helping to give the youngsters a greater understanding of the sun during the tour around the schools.

The students are involved in research projects on fusion energy with the Fusion Doctoral Training Network.

The network is led by York University and all the fusion students begin their studies with a six-month modular course at York before going back to their university or a Government institute to continue research.