Imagining Autism completed a hugely successful week residency at The Beacon School Folkestone.
Funded by the Big Lottery and Kent County Council, this week has seen the Imagining Autism ‘pod’ land in The Beacon and offer a trip to Outer Space to nearly 100 children. Children from The Beacon and other mainstream schools in the Shepway district joined Captain Faultless as he navigated his ship towards the Moon, lost his way and landed on an unknown planet. There they met friendly Alien puppets, learned to speak with them, and explored caves and craters. In a sudden storm, an avalanche of space rocks knocked Captain Faultless unconscious. Rescued by the children with the help of Charlie the Robot and the respirator machine, Captain Faultless led the children in a triumphant return to Earth.
The Alien puppet on his planet.
Some staff comments
Excellent encouragement and participation. Time to explore and develop interests in each area….Given choice before entering the pod. Children were able to explore what interested them. Given freedom….Students really enjoyed the experience, all participated and encouraged gently to join in even the nervous ones. Great seeing pupils’ imagination come out….Great support from the IA staff to support individual needs – thank you…Incredible experience, saw pupils so engaged and creative…..Pupil would not have engaged/gone inside without the staff – wonderful……Amazing sensory experience, the students came alive!
and students…
Enjoyed spending time with the alien and going into the alien’s cave. Nervous about going in but I enjoyed it….Happy….Gave me goosebumps, I thought the rocket was going to go through the ceiling….We went to Jupiter, it was happy….Fun, can we do it again?When can I come to the ship again? (Pupil talking to Captain Faultless)….I liked seeing the alien, he ate orange rock, he did not like the green ones.
I wanted to stay forever….I liked saving the Captain.
The Alien Puppet ready to welcome participants.
Imagining Autism held a Professional Symposium on Thursday November 1st attended by teachers and health professionals. They had an opportunity to experience some Imagining Autism practical training in understanding autism ( a workshop on ‘Perceiving Differently’) and a trip to Outer Space in the Imagining Autism ‘pod’ and an Imagining Autism Family Day on Saturday November 3rd where Shepway families, thanks to the Shepway Autism Support Group and The Beacon, experienced a trip to outer space in our specially designed ‘pod’- an immersive and participatory drama experience for autistic children.
Charlie the Robot.