The Friends of Peterborough Museum & Art Gallery, a charity supporting the museum and art gallery, have launched a new series of educational talks aimed at local schools to, highlighting the life and achievements of Peterborough-born astronomer George Alcock MBE.
This initiative aims to raise awareness of this remarkable local figure and inspire young people explore the wonders of the sky and the world around them.
The inaugural talk was delivered by the Friends’ Vice Chair, Rebecca Jackson, to 90 Year 2 pupils from William Law School in Werrington, Peterborough.The inaugural talk was delivered by the Friends’ Vice Chair, Rebecca Jackson, to 90 Year 2 pupils from William Law School in Werrington, Peterborough.
The engaging 30-minute presentation, tailored for young learners, featured photos and documents from the George Alcock collection, capturing the imagination of the children as they learned about his life, his deep fascination with the stars, and his extraordinary discoveries of comets and novae.
During the session, the pupils heard remarkable stories about George Alcock’s childhood in Peterborough, including his first experiences of a cloud storm and a partial solar eclipse, which ignited his lifelong love of astronomy.
The talk also highlighted his incredible achievements, such as discovering multiple comets and novae with just a small telescope and his remarkable memory of the night sky.
The Friends of Peterborough Museum & Art Gallery, a charity supporting the museum and art gallery, have launched a new series of educational talks aimed at local schools to, highlighting the life and achievements of Peterborough-born astronomer George Alcock MBE.Rebecca Jackson said: “George Alcock’s story is one of curiosity, determination, and lifelong dedication. His journey teaches children that with perseverance and a love for learning, they can achieve extraordinary things.
“We hope to inspire young minds to dream big, work hard, and explore the world around them, just as he did.”
The Friends of Peterborough Museum & Art Gallery invite local schools to book these educational talks, which are approximately 30 minutes long.
Schools interested in arranging a session can contact the Friends via email at hello@friendspma.org.
This initiative is part of the Friends’ ongoing commitment to celebrating Peterborough’s rich heritage and encouraging the next generation to explore science, nature, and the arts.
