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.

The planetarium has completed a major renovation, but this means some of our school shows will need to be converted to the new digital full-dome format. However, some are available in the new format already. The full-dome digital versions are amazing! We plan to add to our school-show repertoire with the new system's capabilities over the next two years.

Admission fees for school shows were originally $3 per person, including teachers and adults, but those fees are being subsidized through a generous and ongoing donation from Jean and Ric Edelman (thank you, Jean and Ric!). 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.)

The Little Star That Could (Gr. 1?-6?) (available now). 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!

The Secret of the Cardboard Rocket (Gr. 2-4) (available now). 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.

The Friendly Stars (Gr K-1) (may be available in late spring 2012). 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) (not yet available). 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.

Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity (MS, HS) (available now). A dramatic look at these strange objects: where they are, what they're like, what it would look like if you fell into one. Narrated by Liam Neeson. Our public show, fall 2011.

Images of the Infinite: The Hubble Space Telescope (MS, HS) (may be available in spring 2012). 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.

Two Small Pieces of Glass: The Amazing Telescope (MS, HS) (available now). The story of the telescope, from Galileo to the Hubble Space Telescope.

Last update 11/20/2011.