Show Schedule

PHM Planetarium & Air/Space Museum
Public Show Schedule

2008-2009 Academic Year

All shows are $2 Adults, $1 Kids except for "Breakfast With Santa" ($6.50 Adults, $5.50 Children, and Laser Light Show which are $5 per seat. All shows run between 30 and 45 minutes.

THE PUBLIC SHOW SCHEDULE IS NOT YET RELEASED AS OF AUGUST 23, 2008, BUT IT IS FORTHCOMING. TEACHERS MAY SCHEDULE VISITS IN THE FOLLOWING TIME SLOTS. THANK YOU.

A STAR FOR SANTA'S TREE Dec 2-5, 8-12, 15-19 K – 3^rd

This 45-minute show (30 minutes for Kindergarten) contains three short stories, two sing-along songs, and a grand finale. The main feature is an 18 minute story of the winter night sky, including seven easily recognized naked eye constellations (Auriga, Gemini, Taurus, Orion, Canis Major, Big Dipper, and the Little Dipper) and eight bright stars (Sirius, Capella, Castor, Pollux, Aldebaran, Betelgeuse, Rigel and Polaris.) Your students will also learn the cardinal directions, as well as the changing position of the Sun. It is loaded with special effects, slides, and music. The Planetarium is decorated with moving: elves, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus; electric train, moving lights, Christmas trees, a huge Dickens Village , etc. Many Indiana Standards in Science, and Geography are covered.

TIS THE SEASON... Dec 2-5, 8-12, 15-19 4th on up

This 45-minute show traces the development of many of the world's endearing holiday customs, and how they involve lighting up the winter season—from the burning Yule log and sparkling Christmas tree lights to the lighting of the Menorah and luminarias.

From Egyptians and Celts to Hopi's and Romans, learn about the rich variety of religious and cultural rituals practiced during the winter solstice. Light-hearted, seasonal traditions are also examined including gift giving, kissing under the mistletoe, and decking the halls with greenery and candles. St. Nicholas, Santa Claus, Sinterklaas, Kris Kringle and Father Christmas will each make a personal appearance. Finally, a lesson in astronomy explains how and why we have seasons along with identifying constellations, comets, meteors, and supernovae. You’ll be surprised how many Indiana Standards in Science, and Geography are covered in this show.

CIVIL WAR/SLAVERY Apr 20-24, Apr 27-May 1 5^th on up

This 60-minute presentation utilizes: the Planetarium sky; a display case full of Civil War Artifacts; and, framed original slave documents. In addition, the presentation is highlighted by various re-enacted Civil War video clips featuring: John Brown’s Trial, Slave conditions, Emancipation Proclamation; 54^th Massachusetts Volunteer Negro Unit, the heroic battle of the 54^th at Fort Wagner .

The Planetarium sky is used to tell the story of: “Follow the Drinking Gourd.” The Drinking Gourd is the Big Dipper the Slaves allegedly used to lead them north and to their freedom. Also, we'll have two Civil War re-enactors from the 19th Indiana to answer questions.

CIVIL WAR Life of the Soldier Apr 20-24, Apr 27-May 1 5^th on up

This 60-minute presentation depicts the life of Civil War Soldiers from enlistment, to death on the battlefield. It covers the type of training; firing of a rifle; trading tobacco for coffee out on the battlefield; battlefield tactics; amputations; and death by disease. This program is graphic in that it tells the “true story” of life in the Civil War. Also, we'll have two Civil War re-enactors from the 19^th Indiana to answer questions.

CIVIL WAR War is so Terrible Apr 20-24, Apr 27-May 1 8^th on up

Due to the graphic violence, this presentation is reserved for 8^th grade on up. It depicts a Union and Confederate Soldier who get together during a parade 40 years after the war. They still have hard feelings toward each other, but they come to the realization they each fought for what they believed was a just cause. There are many flashbacks to several battle scenes involving both soldiers.

RUSTY ROCKET'S LAST BLAST Anytime 2^nd & 3^rd

Instructor Rusty Rocket takes a class of rookies on a 45-minute tour of the Solar System by discussing basic rocket physics, recounting great moments in space exploration, pointing out unique planetary features, and emphasizing the great distances that separate the planets. Rusty encourages his audience to seek answers to their own questions about the universe as he explains how long it would take to deliver a pizza to Pluto.

WSKY, RADIO STATION OF THE STARS Anytime 4^th on up

Cosmic DJ's Moondog Matt Midnight and Stella Sunspot will welcome your students to our special 40-minute broadcast at WSKY. The show features such personalities as: Dr. Cosmos who answers call-in astronomy questions (in easy to understand language); Meteorologist Sunny Skyler, who will give the current weather on Venus, Mars and Jupiter; "Lift-off" Larry Lunar who will give a detailed traffic report from the asteroid belt.

Also, included are three songs, one of which is a clever rap song called "City Stars;" commercials, and just-in news bulletins. We think WSKY is the planetarium program your kids will want to tune into.

MANNED SPACE FLIGHT Anytime 4^th on up

This 60-minute video program details the main events of Manned Space Flight. This program is segmented so that about every 90 seconds we stop the video to point to the related artifacts (we have 12 that have been on the Moon!) in our Space Museum . The total length of the program, including viewing of the artifacts, is 60 minutes. By the way, according to the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum , our Space Museum is the only public school planetarium in the world to have this type of collection.

LASER LIGHT PRESENTATIONS Sept 22 – October 24 2nd on up
This is a visual/sound experience the likes of which your kids probably have never seen. For 2nd and 3rd grade we offer two stories: "Orion" and “Perseus.” For fourth grade on up we'll offer four audio-visual presentations: "Laser Beatles," "Laser Vinyl," "Laser Spirit," and "Laser Pop."

Orion and Perseus can be viewed as one item since each is about 20 minutes in length. Both are entertaining educational shows. All musical laser shows are about 40 minutes in length. Second and Third Grade students are also welcome to see the Laser Musicals.