Basic programs
are presented
live; other programs
combine live
and produced
segments.

All include the
stars.

Expect a lot
of interaction!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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The "basic" school field trip program is presented live and involves a lot of interaction with students. It begins with a star and constellations identification session that will allow your students to go into their own backyards and find the constellations on their own. 

From here, we'll talk about our own Milky Way (and distances in the universe, depending on grade level and time). 

Next, we'll head back to "home" and take a close look at our own solar system, beginning with the Sun and working our way out to Pluto. For example, we'll cover interesting facts about all the planets, what makes Earth special, why Mars is so lifeless, the composition of Saturn's rings, and why Uranus is tipped on its side. 

You can warn your students that I'll ask them questions - or let it be a surprise to them. Don't worry if you're just beginning your unit on astronomy, however - the program works equally well at the beginning or the end of your study on space and the solar system. If you are coming to the Planetarium to conclude your unit, I'll simply adjust my questions and challenge them at a higher level! 

It is impossible to cover the universe in one field trip, let alone everything else involved with space (spacecraft, telescopes, historical figures, etc.) The basic field trip program, then, is an overview. If you would like something covered in depth, let me know. For example, if you've been discussing a topic of current events in social studies (the Cassini mission to Saturn or life on Mars, for example), or have been covering the moon landings in history class - let me know and I'll stress the topic for you. 

NEW:  Most of you already know that an hour isn't enough time to make it all the way through the solar system for the basic program. An additional 15 minutes would let me finish. Starting this year, if you wish, the basic program can be scheduled for an hour and 15 minutes. For those on tight time schedules, an hour version of the program will also be available (the section on star identification will be shorter). 

The most memorable field trips are those that involve a large amount of student participation. Some teachers assign their students to prepare questions about space and then ask them during the program (what a challenge to me!). I may also challenge students to research a particular topic in depth. If you have a student willing to do this and want to add incentive to the project, then send the results of the research to me and I'll incorporate it into our web site. 

Expanded Program Offerings Watch for additional programs in 2003 Some schools send more than one grade level to the Planetarium, which means it is possible for students to come every year or every two years and see the same program. To prevent this - and to better fit your curriculum needs - the following programs are also available to elementary and middle school groups.  All programs, like the basic solar system show, are introduced live and begin with seasonal star and constellation identification and one or two star stories, depending on the grade level and time available, to integrate literature and cultural arts into the program.	COMING IN THIS COLUMN: Ties to National Science Education Standards
Adventures Along the Spectrum A humorous look at the complex world of energy and light - the electro-magntic spectrum - as presented by Prof. Photon. The program covers all areas of light (from radio to gamma, including visible light) and what our knowledge of it has allowed us to learn about our universe. An excellent introduction to the spectrum and its importance to astronomy. Produced by the Hansen Planetarium in Salt Lake City, Utah.	Recommended for: - grades 4-7  - any level studying electromagnetic radiation  Recorded Program  Running Time: 41 min  Teacher's Guide coming soon  Hands-on activity available
Centuries Help celebrate Ohio's 200th birthday with this program written for the Bicentennial. Ohio has a unique place in the quest for space: the Wright Brothers, John Glenn, Neil Armstrong, and more astronauts than any other state in the union. The program covers our state's geology and history as well as astronomy topics (precession, tilt, and eccentricity as the cause of the ice ages; Ohio's Underground Railroad routes and how the Big Dipper was used).  A Ward Beecher Planetarium production	Recommended for: - advanced 4th grade - middle school - high school - history and geology classes Recorded Program with live star segment Allow an hour Teacher's Guide coming
Destination: Universe - Our Future in Space Starting with Earth's orbit and ending far in the future, Destination Universe is a journey of imagination to the moon, planets, other stars and our galactic neighborhood. It covers many questions students wonder about space and space travel: gravity in orbit, travel at the speed of light, and the possibility of colonizing other worlds.  Produced by the Davis Planetarium at the Maryland Science Center.	Recommended for: - gifted/advanced upper elementary  - middle school  Recorded Program  Running Time: 38 min  Teacher's Guide
Follow the Drinking Gourd For Black History Month in February, school, church, and community groups are invited to schedule a showing of Follow the Drinking Gourd. The program is a sky show based on the book Follow the Drinking Gourd by Jeanette Winter. It introduces the day and night skies and discusses the importance of the Big Dipper (which slaves called the Drinking Gourd). Also available throughout the school year.  Produced by the New Jersey State Museum Planetarium and the Raritan Valley Community College Planetarium	Recommended for: - ages 7 and older  - any class studying the Underground Railroad  Recorded Program  Running Time:  approx. 45 min  We suggest that children be prepared for the program by discussing slavery. Educator's guide and classroom materials for plotting the position of the sun and determining latitude by using the North Star
In My Backyard  Children's entertainer Fred Penner narrates and sings for this lively journey into his backyard, where we discover all sorts of things – bugs and spiders, the different seasons, the planets, and the stars in the nighttime sky.  Produced by the Calgary Science Centre. For more about Fred Penner, visit his web site at http://www.fredpenner.com/.	Recommended for: - older and advanced pre-school  - kindergarten  - first or second grade early in the school year  Recorded Program  Running Time: 35 min  Teacher's Guide
Journey Into The Living Cell From outer space to inner space: the Planetarium takes a trip inside the human body. Journey Into The Living Cell melds the technology of the planetarium to the exciting study of the cell. We start the program with the film Powers of Ten to illustrate the difficulty humans have in comprehending large distances in space and the tiny distances between the cells.  Produced by the Buhl Planetarium at the Carnegie Science Center in cooperation with the Carnegie Mellon University's Center for Light Microscope Imaging and Biotechnology and STUDIO for Creative Inquiry. Supported in part by the National Science Foundation.	Recommended for: - gifted/advanced upper elementary  - middle school  - high school  - any class studying the basic cell  Recorded Program  Running Time: 28 min
Partner*Ship*Earth: is an excellent program for classes who would like more of a focus on Earth and Earth Science. The program covers what makes Earth a special place, including the water cycle, its geological forces, the interior of our planet, and the importance of recycling and conservation.  Produced by the Davis Planetarium at the Maryland Science Center.	Recommended for: - upper elementary  - middle school  - any class studying geology, Earth Science, biosystems, etc. (A visit to the Smith Mineral Museum would work nicely in conjunction with this show.)  Recorded Program  Running Time: 25 min  Teacher's Guide coming
Solar System Adventure Tour  The kids are in charge of the ship “Star Traveler” when  the planetarium takes off on a grand tour of our solar system. They’ll provide the navigation and planet data and decide if we have enough fuel to continue while helping Ralph and Dennis, our maintenance crew, stay on course. The emphasis on astronomy education concepts combined with the participatory nature of the presentation give students a fun and interesting planetarium experience. From the Great Lakes Planetarium Association	Recommended for: - First grade (must be readers)  - Second grade (must be able to add simple 10's and 100's) Recorded Program Running Time:    Teacher's Guide
Star Date: Ancient Horizons: For any classes studying mythology or ancient Egypt; focuses on the cycle of life, death, and rebirth as reflected in Egyptian sky lore and how they came to understand the movements of the sun, moon, and stars. Live discussion includes the origin of the zodiacal constellations and the ecliptic.  Produced by the University of Texas at Austin and the Science Museum of Virginia	Recommended for: - upper elementary  - middle school  - any class studying ancient Egypt  Recorded Program  Running Time: 20 min  Teacher's Guide  Also available in Spanish