Public Museum, Grand Rapids

 

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Cowboy poet and humorist Baxter Black becomes a Cowboy Astronomer. He shares both the modern science of the sky, particularly how stars are born, live and die; and Western and Native American sky stories, showing how the personal connection we can all have with the sky. Upper Elementary and Middle School. Approx. 45 minutes. Fact Sheet – Cowboy Astronomer (56KB PDF)

 

The Friendly Stars
In this live presentation, the presenter interacts with Sol, our sun, and the stars of the night sky. The show features explanations of why Earth is a good place to live, the importance of the sun, and the three basic phases of matter. It also includes a tour of the basic constellations. Lower Elementary, Grades K-2. Approx. 30 minutes.
This program includes a live sky segment.

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Garfield: A Cat for All Seasons
Garfield and his owner Jon take us into space, where we learn the reasons for the seasons, and the effects it has on us. We also hear some myths about the sky and seasons from the Egyptians and Native Americans. The show begins with a live tour of the night sky, presented by the operator. Grades 2-4. Approx. 30 minutes.

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The Great Space Chase
In this laser light adventure, we join a police officer in the not-too-distant future tracking down a criminal mastermind across the universe. Along the way, we visit the Moon and Mars and learn several core facts of astronomy. The show also features five songs from artists such as Madonna and U2, as well as Monty Python’s famous “Galaxy Song.” Upper Elementary, Grades 3-6. Approx. 40 minutes.

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The Little Star that Could
In this delightful fantasy, a “Little Star” wants to discover who he is; he travels around the universe, questing for a name and a family of planets to call his own. Along the way he meets many different stars, and learns what makes them all different where stars live and how they are born and die. He ultimately discovers his nine planets, and learns about them (including his most special planet, Earth). Lower Elementary, Grades 2-4 . Approx. 30 minutes.

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Magical Sky
In this live presentation, the planetarium wizard, Zubenelgenubi, takes the kids on an exciting imagination-driven tour of the magical sky inside the planetarium. Many other characters join in the fun, including the Sun, Moon, Tracy the Telephone Pole and Hydro the Fire Hydrant. The show talks about the motion of the sun and moon, solar system and the basic constellations. Lower Elementary, Grades K-1. Approx. 30-40 minutes. Note: As this show was made before Pluto’s reclassification, it inaccurately discusses a solar system of 9 planets.
This program includes a live sky segment.

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Star Trek: Orion Rendezvous
We join Geordi LaForge and other characters from Star Trek: The Next Generation on a trip through a mysterious wormhole to explore some of the stranger stars in our universe. Flare stars, multiple-star systems, red supergiants, stellar nurseries and even the remains of a dead star are all visited during the show. Middle school-High school, Grades 8-12. Approx. 40 minutes.

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Skytellers (full, or constellations only)
A variety of Native American myths of the sky are shared, including the origin of the moon and the constellations. These are paired with the modern scientific stories that have replaced myth as explanations for the universe around us. The show can include a live constellation segment, presented by the operator. Accommodates almost all ages. Two time options dependent on amount of content: 15-30 minute presentation or 30-45 minutes.

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Solar System Safari*
A jungle adventurer uses a magical camera to take visitors on an exciting safari through the Solar System. The sun, moon, planets and dwarf planet Pluto come to life, taking on unique personalities while describing their characteristics and oddities, as well as explaining what just what a planet is, and the current status of Pluto.    35 minutes. Fact Sheet – Solar System Safari (72KB PDF)

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Under Starlit Skies
A presentation on the current sky, including constellations, planets and other easy-to-see features. The show is presented live by a member of the planetarium staff, and can be modified by the operator for the group. It highlights the prominent stars and constellations of the season. It includes tips on constellation and star identification, the cultural and mythological origins on the stars, and current advances in space science. Upper Elementary to Adult. Approx. 40-60+ minutes. Fact Sheet – Under Starlit Skies (56KB PDF)

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Voyage to Infinity*
In this general astronomy feature, we take a brief tour of the history of astronomy, then explore our Earth, Sun, Solar System and the Universe all around us. A spectacular audio-visual experience, showing some of the most fascinating objects in the universe. Middle (or possibly High) School to Adult. Approx. 40 minutes.

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Holiday Magic
Classic and modern renditions of Christmas music come to life on the planetarium dome. Stunning laser light patterns and incandescent effects add an exciting new dimension to the songs of the season, breathing new life into the show that has become a holiday tradition for families across West Michigan. 35 minutes