Thank you for your interest in the Cosmic Explorer Workshops offered at the Gheens Science Hall and Rauch Planetarium. The workshops are designed for children 4-6 years of age to attend with their parent/guardian. One adult can bring no more than two registered children to the workshop. Siblings or children not registered cannot attend the workshop and childcare is not provided.

Solar System Adventures

Discover and explore the many different worlds of our Solar System, Earth’s celestial neighborhood. Make a model to take home, be immersed in up-to-the-minute data, and leave with and understanding of the variety of sizes, distances, and other wonders in our cosmic backyard (and also a planetary coloring book!).

I Want to be an Astronaut

Ever wonder what it is really like to be an astronaut? To live and work where there is no air and everything floats around you? Come learn about life in space through activities, role-playing and team activities.

Fly Me to the Moon

The Moon has entranced scientists and non-scientists alike for centuries. Become a Moon explorer and learn all about the only other world that humans have ever walked on. Become a lunar expert by conducting experiments, creating craters, making shadows, finding your birthday Moon, and making your own phases of the moon calendar.

Lights, Energy...You're a Star!

The fastest thing in the universe isn’t a car or an animal, or even a space ship.  It’s light!  Everything, even you, gives off light, and it comes in many wonderful colors.  In this workshop, families learn about the light that fills the universe, and how scientists use this light to decode the secrets of the universe.  Activities include arts and crafts, hands-on experiments and interactive demonstrations.

Stories in the Sky

Ever look up at the sky and wonder about how far away the stars actually are?  Or maybe you wondered if what you were seeing was a planet or part of a constellation?  Stories in the Sky is a beginner’s tour of the night sky, teaching families how to find favorite constellations, learn about our moon and maybe even spot the International Space Station!

Earth

Families will learning about all the ways our home planet supports life, and how we can care for the Earth as well.  Like all events at the planetarium, families will learn through hands-on demonstrations, unique experiments and interactive discussions.

Cost per workshop:
Members - $20
Non-members - $25

Click here to register online

Note: Registration is required – registration closes at noon the Friday prior to the workshop. If a workshop is canceled or rescheduled, you will be notified as soon as possible.

Each workshop will be offered on various dates throughout the year. You are welcome to attend individual sessions more than once, but please note that the content will be the same at each offering.

Below are the current offerings through the spring.

(Check back regularly as we are adding new workshops this fall and winter!)

Register for the session(s) you wish to attend and complete the form that pops up.

• September 13, 2009, 2 - 4 pm: I Want to be an Astronaut
• October 11, 2009, 2 - 4 pm: Lights, Energy...You're a Star!
• November 8, 2009, 2 - 4 pm: Solar System Adventures
• December 13, 2009, 2 - 4 pm: I Want to be an Astronaut
• January 10, 2010, 2 - 4 pm: Fly Me to the Moon
• February 14, 2010, 2 - 4 pm: Solar System Adventures
• March 14, 2010, 2 - 4 pm: Stories in the Sky
• April 11, 2010, 2 - 4 pm: Earth

Space is limited, so register now!