Spaceships and Otherworlds

A day of linked discussion and drama workshops, for two groups running in tandem.

This event encourages two groups to discuss and dramatise the situation of a spaceship arriving on an alien world.

This course is intended for 20-30 students divided into two groups, and requires teacher or librarian support. It typically lasts a day and involves four sessions, each lasting an hour.

Course overview

The students are divided into two groups: the spaceship crewmembers and the planet-dwelling aliens. Once roles have been assigned the two groups run in parallel, each spending all day with the same teacher and with Rhiannon alternating between the two groups.

Two societies are established: the high-tech society of the spaceship crew and the agricultural society of the otherworld dwellers. As the groups draw together, they must negotiate a compromise between their very different peoples, brokered by representatives nominated by each group.

Materials

Schools are requested to provide two sets of sticky labels. These are for students to write their names on and, later, the name of their character.

Each student will need pens and paper for drawing.

Timetabling

An example timetable is provided to give a sense of the way the day is structured.

9 to 9.30 - Introduction (all students)

9.30 to 10.30 - Session one

Spaceship group is guided by Rhiannon to establish their mission objectives and discuss possible crew roles
Otherworld group is guided by a teacher, using materials provided, to invent their planet and discuss possible dangers, available resources and other parts of the natural world. The group draws pictures of their alien characters.

10.30 to 11.00 - Short break

11.00 to 12.00 - Session two

Spaceship group, guided by a teacher, invents names for characters and decide their roles aboard ship, the group draws pictures of their characters occupied in high-tech jobs aboard ship.
Otherworld group, guided by Rhiannon, introduce her to their planet. They introduce their characters and discuss these people would fit together in a society.

12.00 to 1.00 - Lunch break

1.00 to 2.00 - Session three

Rhiannon joins the spaceship group, takes the crew roster and introduces herself as the ship's captain. As the captain she informs the group that they are nearing the planet. They observe it from orbit and are given the material created by the Otherworld group in their first session. The captain asks the crew to nominate a landing party to negotiate with the natives and the crew all co-operate to agree a strategy.
Otherworld group, guided by a teacher, is told about the spaceship that has arrived in orbit, it is described using the material created by the Spaceship group in their first session. They enact dramatic responses to this event, creating tableaus of their actions when they see the ship in the sky and the landing party arriving on the planet. Rhiannon joins this group for the final phase in which they are asked to nominate speakers for the community who will negotiate with the new arrivals, and agree together on what should be said.

2.00 to 2.30 - Short break

2.30 to 3.30 - Session four (all students)

The two negotiating parties from the ship and the world speak to each other. The nominated students (between 3-5 from each group) speak for a couple of minutes, expressing their positions. During this phase the student are guided towards a compromise between the aims and ambitions of the two societies, endevouring to resolve conflicts and reach a mutally beneficial arrangement. (This session can be observed by parents and guardians, space permitting.)

3.30 onwards

The course ends and students applaud each other's performance. Rhiannon will be available to sign books and speak informally to students about their experience of the course.

Pricing structure

This workshop course costs in the order of £350, depending on the number, ages and ability level of the students involved.

Transport and accommodation are charged separately at a mutually agreed rate.

Additional materials can be provided on request, please contact Rhiannon to discuss your school's particular needs.

Extra information and support

This course is ideal for students and staff with an interest in conflict resolution, the tensions between agricultural and technological societies and other related subjects.

Additional classroom support is required so that sessions can be run in parallel. Ideally this should be two teachers and/or classroom assistants each of whom can spend the whole day with their group.

Two rooms are required, one with tables and chairs, the other to be used for drama activities.

Copies of Rhiannon's books can be ordered for sale or return from her publishers. View the contact page for more information about how to arrange this.