Individual Field Trip Options: $7/student

Note: Each field experience ends with star tour, highlighting the constellations visible in the current night sky.

Moon Phases (1.5 hours):

• Astronaut planetarium show which highlights the challenges of human space exploration

   

• Visual exploration of what causes night and day (using specialized software programs that allow viewers to feel they are floating in space)
• Demonstration of Moon phases and why the Moon appears to change shapes in regular patterns using the dome as a physical model

Note: We recommend that the class complete a full month of moon observation prior to coming to the planetarium for this educational experience. Click here for a web-based moon-phase observation chart that can be printed .

Seasons (1.5 hours):

• Oasis in Space planetarium show illustrating Earth's unique ability to sustain life as we know it
• Visual exploration of Earth’s temperature patterns with seasonal regularities highlighted
• Demonstration of the cause of seasons using the planetarium as a model

Also available for elementary schools is a traditional planetarium show followed by a star talk: 1 hour/$5 per student.

Spend the day at the planetarium: $14/student 

Schedule a morning 1.5 hour experience, break for a brown bag lunch in the planetarium lobby or outside courtyard, and come back into the planetarium dome for a second 1.5 hour experience.

Below are some recommended combinations that may be of interest, but you may combine any of our field trip offerings to fit your needs.

Recommended Option #1

Seasons + Moon Phases

Combines explorations of Earth-Sun interactions (Seasons) with Earth-Moon-Sun interactions (Phases of Moon) to collectively encompass a thorough description of the interactions of these three most prominent astronomical objects.

Recommended Option #2

Either Seasons or Moon Phases + Your choice of show & star talk

Combines a pedagogically structured experience that is closely tied to many curricula with a flexible option of selecting one of our engaging shows and a star talk.

Click here for a detailed handout on field trip offerings for Grades 4-5.