Program Offerings for 2006-2007

Astronomy & Space Science Shows / Story Telling Shows / History & Social Studies Shows /
Earth Science Shows / Life Science Shows

Download the Program Listings for 2006-2007 (164k)

Astronomy & Space Science Shows:

Pictures in the Sky (Grades Preschool-K) Using our "Day/Night Wheel" and the planetarium, young children are introduced to the sky in a concrete manner. Day and night, stars, constellations, clouds,the moon, rainbows, and much more. (PLEASE NOTE: 30 CHILDREN ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM) BACK TO FULL LIST

ABC's of the Sky (Grades K-2) A is for Astronaut, B is for Big Dipper, C is for Comet. . . . Let's explore space and the sky through the familar course of the alphabet. Each concept will be fully explained in terms that young children can understand. BACK TO FULL LIST

Our Family in the Sky (Grades K-2) The planets are personified as Mr. Sun guides the children through a tour of the solar system. Discussion includes planets, comets, asteroids, the moon, and a constellation point out. BACK TO FULL LIST

Our Place in Space (Grades 1-2 & Kindergartners in the Spring) Follow the adventures of "Scarlett" the macaw as she solves a crossword-puzzle called "Our Place in Space." Day and night, the sun, rotation, gravity, the planets, and constellations will be introduced. BACK TO FULL LIST  

"Sandy, Pepper, and the Eclipse" and "Moon Witch!" (Grades 2-4) A very special "Double Feature" that discusses the Moon, Earth, and the Sun. Let a golden retriever named "Sandy" teach your class about the special relationship between the earth, moon and sun that creates the spectacle we call eclipses. In the "Moon Witch" a woman named Diana takes us on an adventure to discover the moon's motions, phases and many appearances. Both story lines make this presentation a favorite with young audiences! BACK TO FULL LIST

The Great Moon Adventure (Grades 4-6) Discover lunar features such as craters, maria, rilles, mountains, volcanoes, ejecta, etc. The moon's motions, phases, and eclipses will all be examined. The second half of the program explores the Apollo Moon Missions with the highlight of listening to Astronaut "Buzz Aldrin," who was the second man on the moon, describe what visiting the moon was really like. BACK TO FULL LIST

The Wonderful Sky (Grades 3-6) This program takes a look at the night sky as seen with the unaided eye. Stars, constellations, visible planets, meteors, the moon, and northern lights are all likely to be discussed. BACK TO FULL LIST

A Ride On The Space Shuttle (Grades 3-5) Learn the ins-and-outs of the space shuttle, how it works, what it does, and what a trip in space might be like. A popular program about NASA's incredible machine. BACK TO FULL LIST  

Exploring Our Solar System (Grades 3-6) This program explores recent discoveries about the planets. Beginning with the Sun, discussion moves out through the nine planets. The program ends with a star point out. BACK TO FULL LIST

Mars Magic (Grades 3-7) Mars is a planet that has captured the imagination like no other. Let's examine the red planet and see what we've discovered about martian germs, rust, rocks, faces, canals, rivers, canyons, and volcanoes. Meet the space probes that have visited this planet: Mariner, Viking, Pathfinder, Sojourner, and others. The presentation ends by viewing Pathfinder images in 3-D! BACK TO FULL LIST

Stars (Grades 5-8) What are stars and how do they work? Exploring the Sun first, we then discuss star colors, how stars are created, and how they die yielding white dwarfs, supernovae, and the most mysterious objects of all--black holes. BACK TO FULL LIST

The Sky Tonight (Grades 6-8) See what might be visible in the sky during the time of year we visit to your class. As we travel through the constellations we will discover various nebulae, star clusters, galaxies, and planets that one might find with a small telescope or binoculars. BACK TO FULL LIST

Ideas & Discoveries (5-8) This presentation will look at "hot ideas" in astronomy today. This year's topics will likely include: 1. Should Pluto still be called a planet? 2. How are scientists discovering new solar systems? 3. "Saving the Night"--light pollution and why everyone should care. 4. The discover of fossilized germs believed to be from Mars!  BACK TO FULL LIST

Sky Maps (Grades 5-8) Discover three methods for locating objects in the night sky: 1. altitude and azimuth; 2. a coordinate system called Declination and Right Ascension (similar to latitude and longitude--we'll talk about these too!); and 3. the oldest and most beloved method of mapping the sky, constellations. This show teaches students how scientists find sky objects, and how your students can find them too. Students will learn the basics regarding grids, degree angles in the sky, time, and several constellations. AVAILABLE JANUARY 2005 BACK TO FULL LIST

Star Stories (Grades 1-2) This is a story telling progran concentrating on the myths, and legends about the sky and constellations. All the stories have been chosen and adapted to suit younger children. BACK TO FULL LIST

Native American Sky Legends (Grades 3-6) Traditional Native American legends about the sky. This is a perfect program to tie astronomy in with studies on Native Americans or with an English unit on storytelling. BACK TO FULL LIST

Heroes, Gods, & Monsters (Grades 5-8) Traditional Greek and Roman myths about the sky, stars, and constellations. The myths presented will vary with the time of year, but may feature stories such as: "The Myth of Orion" or "The Labors of Hercules" or "Andromeda and the Whale." This presentation is a great introduction to classical mythology. BACK TO FULL LIST

A World of Sky Stories (Grades 3-6) Have your students hear legends of the sky from around the world. Hear traditional stories from Australian, Africa, South America, the Orient, Greece, and North America. BACK TO FULL LIST

"Follow the Drinking Gourd" (Grades 2-4) Learn how the slaves found their way north using the stars of the big dipper or "drinking gourd." A great mix of cultural studies with astronomy. A good introduction to navigation. Come "follow the drinking gourd" and find out more! BACK TO FULL LIST

Discovering Geography with Columbus (Grades 3-6) This program examines the study of geography while following Christopher Columbus on his adventures. Goes great with studies of geography or explorers. BACK TO FULL LIST

Earth, The Ocean Planet (Grades 4-6) Explore the wettest planet in the solar system. Concentrating mainly on physical oceanography, discover tides, waves, ocean currents, ice caps, the water cycle, mapping the oceans' floors, and human exploration in submersibles (spaceships of the sea!). BACK TO FULL LIST

Volcano! (Grades 3-7) We begin by examining the different types of volcanoes using Mount St. Helens and Hawaiian volcanoes as examples. Continental drift and earth quakes will be touched upon. The program then searches the solar system for volcanoes on other worlds. BACK TO FULL LIST

Weather and the Seasons (Grades 5-8) Why do we have seasons and how do basic weather systems work? We will discuss High and Low Pressure systems, different types of clouds, fronts, precipitation, thunder storms and hurricanes and tornados will be touched upon. Learn forecasting skills with our portable weather station and its instruments. (NOTE: BEST IF ACTIVELY STUDYING WEATHER) BACK TO FULL LIST

Discovering Geography with Columbus (Grades 3-6) This program examines the study of geography while following Christopher Columbus on his adventures. Goes great with studies of geography or explorers. BACK TO FULL LIST

World Of the Dinosaurs (Grades 1-3) We begin by examining numerous dinosaur bone reproductions. The highlight is the 25 minute planetarium presentation about dinosaurs. BACK TO FULL LIST

Birds in the Planetarium (Grades 3-5) Learn how birds have adapted to their environments by studying varying styles of beaks, claws, wings, and feathers. Discover how some birds actually use the stars to help them migrate. The program closes with a demonstration of bird calls--a favorite activity. BACK TO FULL LIST

Migration (5^th-8^th) Learn why birds migrate, which birds do and which birds don't, and why various species follow very different routes. See how the natural geographical features of Earth affect where different species go and how they get there. The stars, magnetism, wind, land features, and the Sun all play a role in this phenomenon. These are illustrated on a full-dome world map showing important migration routes. BACK TO FULL LIST

Biology of the Cell (Grades 5-7) This is a life science presentation that examines the workings of the living cell. Through visuals and careful explanations we will gain an understanding of the workings of a typical animal cell. Organelles, genes, mitosis, cell size, and the role of the cell within a living being, will all be discussed. this is all illustrated when we turn the dome into one giant cell over our heads! A great alternative presentation to our standard astronomy fare. BACK TO FULL LIST