Star Lab Portable Planetarium

Starlab is a portable planetarium with programs available for your school, organization, or event. We offer a variety of programs listed below or you can help create your own program. 

Each of these programs is 45 minutes in length. The cost is $150 for the first two programs, and $50 for each additional program. There may be additional charges of $30/hour of speaker's waiting time between programs as well as a small charge for mileage greater than 25 miles from the museum.

Please contact the museum director for more information on the Star Lab.

Star Lab Programs

Where In The Solar System Are We?

In this show students will become astronomers and discover Mars the same way the ancient astronomers did. We will discuss why the planets appear to move and where earth is in relationship to the rest of the objects in our solar system. We will end with a tour of interesting sights in tonight’s sky. Meets Science frameworks for grades 3-5.

Moon Madness

This program is designed to help your students discover the rotation of the earth and the explanation behind the changing moon. We will discuss cycles that can be observed, day and night, seasons, and phases of the moon. Your students will also be able to hear some of the ancient explanations for these same occurrences. Meets Science frameworks for grades 3-5.

With older students this class will focus on the similarities and differences between eclipses and moon phases. Your students will also be able to make predictions about the moon's phases and discuss the significance of the moon. Meets Science frameworks for grades 6-8.

The Reasons for the Seasons

Take a tour of tonight's sky and make predictions about how it will look in three, six and nine months. We will check your hypothesis and discuss why it changes. Learn about the tilt of the earth and its impact on our seasons. You might even hear about a galaxy far, far away. Meets Science frameworks for grades 6-8.

Star Stories

Travel to China, Egypt, Ancient Greece, and North America to hear stories about the stars. People from all of these countries can see the same stars. Learn why they tell different stories in different parts of the world and try your hand at creating your own star myths! Meets English frameworks for grades 3-4 & 5-6, and supports History and English frameworks for grades 1-4.

It's All Greek To Me!

A program focusing on Greek & Roman myths. Learn why the Big Bear has a long tail or how that giant "W" in the sky could possibly be a queen on her throne. In this program you will learn the Greek and Roman myths behind many of the most common constellations. Meets History frameworks for grade 7 and supports English frameworks for grades 3-4.

Woodland Native American Star Tales

Come and listen to stories about the stars that have been told here since long before the Europeans set foot on this land. Supports History and English frameworks for grades 3-4.

Tonight's Sky

Find out what will be in the sky tonight. We will "star hop" to some of the more prominent constellations, practice using a sky map to find others, look for planets and perhaps hear a story or two.

Create Your Own

Work with the Starlab coordinator to modify an existing program or to design a program that meets your specific needs.