SCHOOL PROGRAMS
Educators, the below will help you plan.
University class events should instead use: » University Booking Form
Teachers of all grades may bring students to the Planetarium for a presentation of
their choice, and always free if the purpose is education. Our full dome introduces students of all ages to astronomy and space science, with
several shows from which to choose. Homeschool parents are also welcome, though you
much bring at least 12 students.
Field trips are usually scheduled weekdays during school hours. Performance times outside regular hours are available upon request for a nominal charge. You will request your trip via the online form link found near both the top and the bottom of this page.
Requests must be submitted at least two weeks in advance.
How to Book a Field Trip
To create a trip to the Planetarium you will need to make some decisions, and then fill out the online form. For now, let’s plan.
1. Gather Chaperones
Our staff is too few to manage groups of students, so you will need to bring chaperones. You and the chaperones will also handle any student behavior concerns. Note that food and drink are not allowed in the Star Chamber.
2. Divide Large Groups into Sub-groups
We limit the size of student audiences based on grade to ensure good order. Kindergarden through 2nd grade is max 45; 3rd and 4th grades max at 60. All other grades bax at 90. To bring more than the max, split your group into sub-groups with one sub-group in the Planetarium while other sub-groups are busy at an alternate campus venue (a list of recommendations is below). Then, after the initial 45 minutes or so, all groups can rotate to the next activity.
3. Other Things to do at WKU
Whether you want to do more at WKU than just the Planetarium, or if you need one sub-group in the Planetarium while the rest are elsewhere, consider the below options. We cannot guarantee these departments will be able to provide these services when you need, and you will need to contact these departments yourself. Each will communicate with you on their own, and will manage their portion of your trip on their own.
- We can provide a nearby classroom for your teachers to facilitate an activity. For grades 4th and up, I have an kinesthetic lesson you can lead with a provided script.
- WKU Admissions provides campus tours for students of all ages.
- The Kentucky Museum (10-12 minute walk away; no charge):
+ art programs for students and a chance to tour the KY Museum
- not suitable for very young students - Engineering and Applies Sciences (2-minute walk away)
+ tours of the robotics lab to small groups (good for 4th grades and above)
4. Look Through the Shows on Offer
Below is a scrollable list of shows with descriptions, sorted by grade range. All shows are suitable for multiple grades. You will also find a list of subjects covered by each show.
[Kg-2] Daily Motions
Subjects: Earth's rotation; measuring time passage
Run time: 45 minutes
Why does the Sun rise and set? How does the Moon move through the sky? Where are the
other planets in the sky? Before watching this, students will first be instructed
by our staff to prepare them, and they will earn an HP Ticket to turn in to watch
the show.
NGSS standards: 1-ESS1-1
[3-5] Motions in the Sky
Subjects differ by grades: elementary - noon Meridian (AM/PM); Movement of Sun, moon and planets; time zones | high school - Retrograde motion; time zones; Daylight Savings Time; celestial clock
Run time: 45 minutes
Why does the Sun rise and set? How does the Moon move through the sky? Where are the
other planets in the sky?
NGSS standards: 1-ESS1-1, 1-ESS1-2, 5-ESS1-2, 6-ESS1-1
[4-8] Two Small Pieces of Glass
Subjects: Galileo, Huygens, Newton, Hubble; physics of light and planets; reflection
& refraction; telescopes
Run time: 45 minutes
A full-done movie which explores telescopes, and their history. While looking through
the astronomer's telescope we explore the Galilean Moons, Saturn's rings, and spiral
structure of galaxies.
NGSS standards: 5-ESS1-1
[5-9] Spaceship Earth
Subject: Earth's spin, orbit, and the galaxy's movement
Run time: 45 minutes
If Earth is moving and you are on Earth, how fast are you moving? Use basic math
to figure out your speed through the universe. NGSS standards: 6-ESS1-2, HS-ESS1-4
[5-11] Saturn's Young Rings
Subjects: geologic time line; age of the Earth and the Universe; age of Saturn's rings;
structure of the rings and how they were formed
Run time: 45 minutes
Recent analysis of data from the Cassini probe indicate that Saturn’s rings are comparatively
“young.” But what does that mean? We take a look at what the rings are and how rings
are made, and also the formation of our Solar System and the birth of our Universe.
[5-12] Clocks of the Ancients
Subject: measuring sky motions; dividing cycles into units of 12
Run time: 45 minutes
Learn how ancient peoples kept track of time by watching how the Sun moves across
the sky, and how to use stars to measure longer spans of time.
[5-12] Moonbeings?
Subjects: extraterrestrial life; requirements for life; structure of the Solar System;
moons; radiation shielding
Run time: 45 minutes
Learn why we search for life beyond Earth in the diverse array of moons in our solar
system. What places in a solar system are likely locations for life as we understand
it?
NGSS standards: 6-ESS1-3, HS-ESS2-5, HS-ESS2-4
[6-12] Ancient Earth
Subjects: geology; geologic time scales; plate tectonics; fossils; atomic structure;
radioactive decay
Run time: 45 minutes
So how old is the Earth, and how have we determined that? This fulfills several NGSS
standards: MS-ESS1-4, HS-ESS1-6, HS-ESS1-5, HS-ESS2-1, MS-ESS2-3, HS-PS1-8, MS-PS1-1,
5-PS1-1, 4-ESS1-1, 3-LS4-1, MS-ESS1-2
[6-12] Our Star: the Sun
Subjects: hydrogen fusion, magnetic fields, impact of protons on Earth
Run time: 50 minutes
The Sun is tje most well understood star, and vital for life. But it is also dangerous.
Learn how the Sun creates magnetic fields, which throw the outer surface of the Sun
into space.
[6-12] Invisible Universe
Subjects: electromagnetic spectrum; astronomical discoveries
Run time: 50 minutes
We learn about the cosmos only by analyzing the light that shines across space. But
visible light is only a tiny portion of the entire electromagnetic spectrum, and humans
can't see infrared, radio, ultraviolet, x-rays or gamma-rays. Only recently have we
invented the kinds of telescopes needed to see the rest of the universe. NGSS standards:
7-PS2-5, 7-PS4-1, 7-PS4-2, HS-PS4-1, HS-PS4,4, HS-PS4-5, HS-ESS1-2
[6-12] When the Universe was Young
Subjects: early universe; look-back time; spatial dimensions; electromagnetic spectrum;
redshift
Run time: 45 minutes
We are the first generation to learn what our universe was like at the beginning.
A century ago we believed the universe eternal and unchanging, but since then we have
learned about galaxies and the 14 billion years of the universe's life.
NGSS standards: 7-PS4-1, HS-ESS1-2
5. Other Details to Consider
Inside the Planetarium but outside the Star Chamber is the Ring Hall, full of astronomical exhibits. You may need to build time for this before or after each group sees a Star Chamber show, assuming you want to make use of exhibits. Also, groups often stay for a question period at the end of a show, so this will expand your trip time.
Fill Out the School Program Request Form
Having planned for your trip, click the link below for the online form and submit it. We will email you a reply with either a direct confirmation or a negotation on your planned date/time or perhaps the fee (should one apply).
Some of the links on this page may require additional software to view.