The planetarium is a wonderful place to instill excitement about science in young minds; it also can help teachers in meeting state standards. Below is a list of current school shows. Suitable grade levels are indicated, but these are only guidelines. Note that the current public show is always available, and is generally suitable and recommended for middle and high school classes.

Admission fees were originally $3 per person, including teachers and adults, but those fees have been paid through a generous donation from Ric and Jean Edelman through at least the end of the 2009 school year. We can legally accomodate up to 102 people, but no more. The usual times for visits are 9:30 and 11 a.m., Tuesday through Friday, but we can make exceptions.

To make reservations, call Keith Johnson at 856.256.4389 during business hours, or email him at johnsonk@rowan.edu. (He checks his email frequently.)

NEW!!

The Little Star That Could (Gr. 1?-6?). An average star is born from a great cloud of gas and dust. We follow his journey through space, searching for planets and a name for himself. He encounters stars of all sizes and temperatures, including a hot blue star and the double stars Goldie and Sapphire, but none of them can give him any planets. Finally, the Milky Way speaks to him, and reveals where his planets have been hiding. His planets tell him all about themselves, and give him his special name (no, I'm not going to reveal it here: you'll have to come see the show!).

The reason for the question marks above is that the astronomical information is sufficient for sixth graders, but the story format is accessible to first graders! After you see it, we would welcome any comments about suitability of this show for your particular grade. We feel it would be reasonable for a wide range of ages... but you teachers are the experts!

Any class that already has a reservation for some other show, but would like to try this one, is welcome to do so. Just let Keith Johnson know of your wishes.

The Secret of the Cardboard Rocket (Gr. 2-4). Two children build a rocket ship out of a large cardboard box, and find that they can actually travel out to the planets. Moreover, the astronomy book they took out of the library talks to them, teaching them about the planets. After several adventures, they return to Earth with a new sense of wonder about our solar system. (Note: visuals for this show were improved and enhanced in May 2008)

The Friendly Stars (Gr K-1). The lecturer introduces the children to the Sun, who talks to them about himself and his system of planets. Later, the stars introduce themselves, and we look at a few of the wonderful patterns they form on the night sky.

Planet Patrol (Gr 4-6). Two entertaining alien detectives from the planet Nork visit the solar system, trying to find out the solution to a mystery. In the process of their investigations, they provide a lot of information about the solar system to the students.

Images of the Infinite: The Hubble Space Telescope (MS, HS). The Hubble looks at EVERYTHING, so this show is a good introduction to all areas of the universe. See planets, nebulae, stars (including a couple exploding ones), galaxies, and the distant parts of the universe through the eyes of the most productive spacecraft ever launched.

Last update 3/10/09.