Media representatives are invited to experience the virtual night sky in North Carolina's first fulldome digital video portable planetarium, part of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, when it visits local students next week.
Media representatives are invited to experience the virtual night sky in North Carolina's first fulldome digital video portable planetarium, part of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, when it visits local students next week.
Note: Because it is necessary to maintain a “night sky” level of darkness within the planetarium dome, flash photographs may be taken only before or after the planetarium program.
Northampton County
Northampton County High School West STEM School
152 Hurricane Drive, Gaston
Tuesday (Oct. 5)
10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.
In the multimedia planetarium show "Astronaut," eighth-grade students travel virtually into the worlds of outer and inner space, from floating around the International Space Station to maneuvering through microscopic regions of the human body. "Astronaut" also provides a sneak peek into the life of an astronaut, inspiring career choices.
Warren County
Vaughan Elementary School
110 Mat Nelson Road, Vaughan
Wednesday (Oct. 6)
10 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.
In the multimedia planetarium show "Earth, Moon and Sun," third-grade students explore the relationship between the planet they live on, the moon that orbits it and the star that provides it with light and heat. With reference to Native American stories and legends, "Earth, Moon and Sun" helps students understand the movement and impact of Earth’s orbit.
Thursday (Oct. 7)
10:30 a.m. and 12:20 p.m.
In the multimedia planetarium show "Magic Tree House Space Mission," second-grade students follow Jack and Annie, the lead characters from the "Magic Tree House®" series of children's books, on a quest to solve a mysterious riddle about space. During their journey, they meet an astronomer, an astronaut and an author who help them find a solution.
The PLANETS (Portable Learning for All North Carolina’s Elementary Teachers and Students) Portable Planetarium Program is a science education outreach effort of Morehead Planetarium and Science Center at UNC-Chapel Hill.
PLANETS delivers a traditional planetarium experience directly to elementary schools across North Carolina. PLANETS planetarium shows and classroom activities are standards-based and interdisciplinary so teachers can take full advantage of this unique science experience. The PLANETS dome stretches 20 feet in diameter and uses cutting-edge digital technology to reach students who may not otherwise encounter Morehead’s informal science education.
The PLANETS program was created in 2009 and receives support from N.C. Space Grant, with additional funding from the Chatham Foundation and the University of North Carolina Provost Office.
PLANETS Web site: www.moreheadplanetarium.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=page&filename=PLANETS_overview.html
PLANETS media contact: Karen Kornegay, (919) 843-7952, kck@unc.edu
News Services contact: Susan Houston, (919) 962-8415, susan_houston@unc.edu