2008-2009 School Shows

All school shows are approximately 45 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

The Friendly Sky

Solar System Exploration

Galactic Quest

Universe

Wisconsin Skies

Journey Into the Living Cell

Season Of Light

The Friendly Sky (recommended for grades K-2)

• Meet the Sun, Moon and stars.
• Investigate why the moon changes.
• Play constellation connect the dots.
• Question & Answer Session

Available during the academic year at 9:30AM, 10:45AM, Noon or 1:00PM.  Call for summer presentation times.

Solar System exploration (recommended for grades 3-5)

• Fly to each of the 8 planets.

• Explore the most interesting moons.

• Discover other fascinating objects in our solar system.

• Question & Answer Session.

Available during the academic year at 9:30AM, 10:45AM, Noon or 1:00PM.  Call for summer presentation times.

Galactic Quest (recommended for grades 6-8)

• Investigate the life cycles of stars.
• Explore gas clouds called nebulas.
• See clusters of dozens to thousands of stars.
• Question & Answer Session.

Available during the academic year at 9:30AM, 10:45AM, Noon or 1:00PM.  Call for summer presentation times.

Universe (recommended for grades 9-12)

• Learn how to estimate age/size of the universe.
• Classify galaxies by shape & size.
• Investigate quasars and their importance.
• Question & Answer Session.

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! 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!