Dame Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock Joins Space Day 20th March 2026 Academic Community Science Uncategorised This week, we were honoured to welcome the amazing Dame Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, renowned space scientist, television presenter, and passionate science advocate, for a special Space Day. Dressed to impress, our curious Pre-Prep children watched Maggie star in her own episode of The Clangers and learnt how the children’s TV series had ignited her interest in space. They then thoroughly quizzed real-life Maggie about black holes, white holes, aliens and black flips in space. Dr Maggie also stopped by StarLab, the space observatory, here on site at Copthorne Prep and run by members of the Crawley Astronomical Society to check out the big night sky telescope along with the new solar scope that offers fascinating views of solar flares and sun spotswith pupils from Years 3 and 4. Our Years 5 and 6 pupils welcomed Maggie to the senior science lab where they were investigating food in space and how being in space affects our senses. Maggie was thrilled to see our facilities and shared some wonderful insights into creating and adapting your own observational equipment. An amazing day ended with a heartful talk to a packed hall of families and friends. Maggie has spent her career helping others understand the wonders of space, from her work on the James Webb Space Telescope to presenting The Sky at Night. Yet what resonated most with everyone was not just her incredible achievements, but her personal journey. She spoke openly about attending 13 different schools, navigating dyslexia, and discovering that her diagnosis was not a barrier, but a superpower that shaped her creativity and determination. Her message – that resilience, curiosity, and dreaming boldly can take you anywhere – left our children absolutely captivated. She even shared stories of how her love of The Clangers and Star Trek inspired her early fascination with the universe and pushed her toward a life in science. Her warmth, humour, and honesty lit up the room, and paired perfectly with our space‑themed day, where pupils immersed themselves in scientific questions, models, and cosmic wonder. At the end of the talk, Maggie spent time chatting with families and signed copies of two of the many books she has written. As part of her visit, Maggie also visited the new satellite school, Moon Hall Copthorne, opening in September 2026. Maggie shared her own journey with dyslexia and was thrilled to learn about the partnership between Copthorne Prep and Moon Hall School and the wonderful opportunities it will bring for all pupils. You can find out more about Moon Hall Copthorne. Huge thanks to Maggie for spending a magnificent afternoon with us, we are your biggest fans! Our thanks also go to Crawley Astronomical Society, who helped bring the universe even closer.