Our Space Science Programs are out of this world! Inside the digital Abbitt Planetarium theater, students will make important connections to essential space science SOLs as they explore the solar system, travel to distant galaxies, and marvel at the mysterious celestial objects in our own night sky. Other sessions focus on hands-on, minds-on classroom experiences that will expand your students’ understanding of space science. The first 4 show listings are in the planetarium, while the last 2 programs are in a classroom setting.
Length of Session: 45 minutes
Number of Students: 71 maximum for planetarium/30 maximum for classroom
Fee: $14.00 per student (includes self guided tour of exhibits)
Classroom teachers and school staff are free. One chaperone is recommended for every 10 students and is admitted free. Additional chaperones are $18 each.
*Minimum requirement to book programs: 15 students September – February and 30 students March – June
Funded in part by Langley Federal Credit Union.
Planetarium Programs
Planetarium Show: Virginia Skies (Grades K-12)
Science SOLs: Vary based on topics requested
Students view the planetarium’s night sky while a staff astronomer discusses seasonal constellations, visible planets and other celestial happenings around the time of your visit.
Planetarium Show: Day and Night (Grades K-1)
Science SOLs: K.8, K.9, K.10, 1.6, 1.7
Discover the importance of Earth’s shadow as a staff astronomer takes you on a journey from Day to Night.
Planetarium Show: Reason for the Seasons (Grade 4)
Science SOLs: 4.5, 4.6
Witness the power of the tilt of the Earth as one of our staff astronomers helps you explore the reasons for the seasons.
Planetarium Show: Worlds in Motion (Grades 4-6)
Science SOLs: 4.5, 4.6, 6.2
Explore why objects move across the skies of Earth, why Pluto is no longer a major planet, how fast you are moving when you’re sitting still and other amazing topics…all connected by these worlds in motion.
Planetarium Show: Stacey Stormtracker (Grades 1-5)
Science SOLs: 1.6, 1.7, 2.6, 2.7, 3.7, 3.8, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 5.8
Join ace solar system pilot Stacey Stormtracker as she takes her new Solar System Weather Service cadet recruits on a tour through the solar system to check out the weather on all the planets and even the Sun! Can Stacey keep everything shipshape even during a major hurricane? Come and find out!
Planetarium Show: Oasis in Space (Grades 6-12)
Science SOLs: 6.2, 6.3, ES.2, ES.3
Water is necessary for life as we know it. The Earth abounds with water…but can we find water elsewhere? Does the presence of water guarantee the presence of life? Explore these questions as more as we tour through the solar system searching for our most precious resource.
Classroom Programs
Classroom Program: What’s the Weather? (Grades 2-4)
Science SOLs: 2.6, 3.7, 4.4
Discover the connections between the processes of the water cycle and weather phenomena that we experience every day.
Classroom Program: Sun, Earth & Moon (Grades 4-6)
Science SOLs: 4.5, 4.6, 6.3
Discover the connections between the Sun, Earth and Moon as we explore the cycles of the lunar phases and the tides.
