2007-2008 School Shows

All school shows are approximately 55 minutes long.  Every show is presented by a friendly, knowledgeable presenter.  By popular demand, all shows include at least 5 minutes of stargazing.  But several of our shows are totally live presentations that are all about touring the sky and exploring important concepts of astronomy found among the stars.

In fact, we have four shows that are specially-designed by a space science expert to compliment federal, state and local science standards.  Additional shows are available for schools that want more choices or want their students to see more.  Especially if you're coming from a distance, you can make the most of a trip to the Planetarium with multiple shows that are educational and exciting!

Please scroll down to learn about all of our school shows...

Live & Interactive, Standards-Based Astronomy Shows

Each of the four shows listed below demonstrates age-appropriate astronomy and science concepts identified in local, state and federal education standards.  Students are encouraged to answer questions during these shows through oral response and the planetarium's state-of-the-art interactive system (buttons on each armrest).  scroll down for show descriptions

Our Place in Space

updated  Solar System Grand Tour

updated  Interplanetary Adventure

updated  Galactic Encounter

To Pluto & Beyond!

Northern Lights

Through the Eyes of Hubble

Journey Into the Living Cell

new show Hotter Than Blue

Holiday Lights & Stars

Our Place in Space (recommended for grades K-2)

See major constellations and learn about Earth's weather, seasons, eclipses, light and shadows, the Moon, Sun, and other features of our solar system. Watch the Moon move through its phases and learn the differences between planets. A flight among the planets is an exciting way to gain a new perspective on our solar system.  Available during the academic year at 9:30AM, 10:45AM, Noon or 1:00PM.  Call for summer presentation times.

UPDATED Solar System Grand Tour (recommended for grades 3-5)

Observe the night sky in motion and learn about the constellations, seasonal changes, and planet identification. Discover stellar processes, light and climate. Students learn the official new definition of a planet and take a 3-D tour of our solar system.  They visit each planet, identifying unique features, moons, and the realm of comets. Students fly to the edge of the Milky Way Galaxy and explore a black hole. Available during the academic year at 9:30AM, 10:45AM, Noon or 1:00PM.  Call for summer presentation times.

UPDATED Interplanetary Adventure (recommended for grades 6-8)

Compare Earth's geologic features, weather and aurorae to those of the other planets in our solar system.  We'll talk about the new definition of "planet" and the new objects expected (as of 8/22/06) to be 'added' to our planetary system.  We'll also talk about moons, learn the composition of gaseous and terrestrial planets, and see why our solar system model has changed.  Discover fusion and composition of the Sun, the Sun-Earth connection, comets, planetary atmospheres, and structures within our universe.  Available during the academic year at 9:30AM, 10:45AM, Noon or 1:00PM.  Call for summer presentation times.

UPDATED Galactic Encounter (recommended for grades 9-12)

Delve into modern astronomy and explore stellar life cycles, galactic structure, and the newly-discovered evidence of dark matter.  On the dome, celestial coordinates are easy to understand; students locate and explore objects such as supernovae, black holes, galaxies, and variable stars.  Learn about parallax, the H-R diagram, proper motion, pulsars, quasars, and more.  Available during the academic year at 9:30AM, 10:45AM, Noon or 1:00PM.  Call for summer presentation times.

More school show options...

Holiday Lights & Stars (appropriate for all grades)

This show is appropriate for people of all persuasions and beliefs. Learn about traditions such as gift giving, decorating fir trees, Menorahs, kissing under mistletoe, the story of the Star of Bethlehem, and Santa Claus. An exciting holiday-themed music finale completes this educational show.

Northern Lights  (appropriate for grades 4-8)

See colorful aurorae appear on the dome and learn about these natural light shows.  Discover how our Sun affects our daily lives.  Learn about the solar wind, Earth's protective magnetic field, and charged particles and their interactions with our atmosphere.  Find out how spacecraft monitor "space weather" and why this information is important to protecting our satellite networks as well as constructions, like oil pipelines, on the ground.

Journey Into the Living Cell (appropriate for grades 5-12)

Learn the structure of a cell by voyaging into one! Using 3-D virtual reality, students shrink to microscopic size to explore a cell's organelles. Students learn about cellular division, cellular diseases (like cancer), and they discover biotech experiments performed in the International Space Station.

Through the Eyes of Hubble (appropriate for grades 5-12)

Take a look at the telescope that has revolutionized astronomy: the Hubble Space Telescope.  You'll join a Space Shuttle servicing mission, see how astronauts replace worn out parts, and discover a breathtaking array of objects that Hubble helps us study.  See how Hubble discovered new moons around Pluto and view planets in our solar system, supernovas, stellar remnants and galaxies at the edge of the known universe.

Hotter Than Blue (appropriate for grades 7-12, available Feb '07)

It's a high-energy show--literally!  This show will be available starting in February 2007 (teachers can book now for field trips coming in or after February).  Created by the Marshall Space Flight Center and Fernbank Science Center, this show examines the electromagnetic spectrum and how high energy is detected.  The show includes interviews with pioneers in the fields of x-ray and gamma ray astronomy and is narrated by Nichelle Nichols of Star Trek fame!