School Programs

We offer standards-based, developmentally-appropriate programs for Pre-school through 12^th grade students year round. These programs utilize our new state-of-the-art fulldome projection system and are visually stimulating, informative, and entertaining.  They are a radical departure from the old fashioned analog planetariums of the past.  If you don’t see a program that meets your needs, let us know.  We can usually create a customized program just for you and your students at no additional charge. 

Please contact Alex Mak at amak@utnet.utoledo.edu, or 419.530.4641 if you have any questions regarding which program might be best for your students, or if you have questions regarding the Ohio or Michigan Science Standards.
 

What you can expect

The feature presentation typically run about 25 minutes, and is followed by a live, interactive tour of the night sky and a discussion of current astronomical events all catered to your students’ particular grade level and interests. This is followed by a question and answer session. In total, a typical visit lasts about an hour, not counting time to look at many displays in the lobby. 
 

Double Features

You may pair any two programs including fulldome, classic, or the Journey package together to create a double feature for a very modest additional charge. Most double features last about an hour and a half and include an intermission at your discretion. 

Fees

Admission to the planetarium is $6 per student for a single feature and $8 for a double feature. There is no charge for accompanying adults. We do have a minimum fee of $120 for a single feature and $160 for a double feature for groups of 20 or less. 

 Scheduling Your Trip

Reservations are required for all field trips. Please call 419.530.2650 to make your reservations at least three weeks in advance. For more information on the programs we offer, including possible tours of the observatory or evening observing sessions, please call Alex Mak at 419.530.4641 or email at amak@utnet.utoledo.edu. 

 

Full-Dome Programs

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	One World, One Sky, Big Bird's Adventure (Pre-school through 1st grade) This is the perfect age-appropriate introduction to the night sky for children ages three and half to six.  One World, One Sky, Big Bird’s Adventure is a fulldome show that follows Sesame Street's Big Bird and Elmo as they explore the night sky with Hu Hu Zhu, a Muppet from China. Together they take an imaginary trip from Sesame Street to the Moon, where they discover how different it is from Earth. One World, One Sky, Big Bird’s Adventure aims to nurture a child's natural sense of wonder about the night sky while connecting kids across nations through a common bond in learning about the sky.  View the One World, One Sky, Big Bird's Adventure trailer
	The Alien Who Stole Christmas (K through 4th grade) Take a brisk walk on clear winter evening and look at the stars and constellations overhead without ever leaving your comfortable seat in the planetarium. Then tag along with Santa as he meets Mr. Freep, an alien from another world. Together they head of on a cosmic adventure taking them to the farthest regions of our Solar System. Will Santa make it back in time to deliver his toys to the children of Earth? Join for us this holiday season for The Alien Who Stole Christmas, an amusing, entertaining, and educational program for children aged four to ten and Santa fans of all ages.
	Zula Patrol:  Under the Weather (2nd through 4th grade) Explore the solar system with the Zula Patrol! Learn all about weather, both here on Earth and on other planets as well. Your students will experience a dust storm on Mars, a hurricane on Jupiter, and the incredible heat on Venus.  View the Zula Patrol:  Under the Weather trailer
	The Case of the Disappearing Planet (3rd through 7th grade) A radio announcement… an excited phone call… and our sly gumshoe, Skye Watcher, is on the case. Explore with Skye and discover what happened to the ex-planet Pluto as she tracks down clues that stretch back hundreds of years! Audiences will have great fun with this unique program that looks into the changing status of planets in our Solar System. View the Case of the Disappearing Planet trailer
	Two Small Pieces of Glass (5th through 9th grade)  Two Small Pieces of Glass traces the history of the telescope from Galileo's modifications to a child's spyglass—using two small pieces of glass—to the launch of NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and the future of astronomy. It explores the wonder and discovery made by astronomers throughout the last 400 years. The students explore the Galilean Moons, Saturn's rings, and spiral structure of galaxies as well as learning about the future of astronomy.  View the Two Small Pieces of Glass trailer
	Oasis in Space (5th through 12th grade)  During this visual stunning program your students will travel through the solar system in search of liquid water, life, and another oasis in space like our Earth. The program looks at the formation of the solar system, and the physical characteristics of the planets, and some of their larger moons.  View the Oasis in Space trailer
	IBEX:  Search for the Edge of the Solar System (5th through 12th grade)  Investigate the boundary between our Solar System and the rest of our galaxy in IBEX: Search for the Edge of the Solar System. Students will learn about science research and engineering as the show follows the creation of NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX). Get an in-depth look at the mission, and how IBEX is mapping our Solar System's boundary. Narrated by two inquisitive teenagers, audiences will hear from the developers of the IBEX mission, and get the latest updates on the mission's discoveries.
	Black Holes, the Other Side of Infinity (5th through 12th grade) Narrated by Academy-Award nominated actor Liam Neeson, this cutting-edge production features high-resolution visualizations of cosmic phenomena, working with data generated by computer simulations, to bring the current science of black holes to the dome screen. Your students will enjoy the striking, immersive animations of the formation of the early universe, star birth and death, the collision of giant galaxies, and a simulated flight to a super- massive black hole lurking at the center of our own Milky Way Galaxy.  View the Black Holes, The Other Side of Infinity trailer
	The Dynamic Earth (5th through 12th grade) This thrilling program examines the Earth’s climate engine, the Carbon Cycle. Your students will travel from far-flung Venus to beneath the Earth’s seas to understand why the Earth is capable of supporting life, and how that life, from plankton to people, interacts with that very same Carbon Cycle. This is the perfect program for astronomy, earth science, and biology classes!  View the Dynamic Earth trailer

Classic Programs

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