Programs for Schools and Groups
All shows are approximately 45 minutes long (unless noted otherwise). Preschool shows are 20 minutes in length. Live presentations are recommended for preschool through 3rd grade. Live or taped presentations are available for older groups.
1. Stars of the Seasons (General Show) (Live Show) All Ages.
This show looks at the current night sky. The principal constellations, bright stars, and planets are identified. It introduces the motion of the stars and the planets as they are viewed from the earth.
2. Reasons for the Seasons (Live Show) Upper elementary and up.
What causes the seasons? How are the seasons in the northern and southern hemispheres different? Students will observe and tabulate data about the Sun that will help them discover why the seasons occur.
3. The Sun's Family (Live Show) All Ages.
Learn about the planets and how they move. Lower elementary groups will learn the names of the planets in order and learn some basic facts about them. Older groups will have a more detailed look at the planets and will recieve an explanation of their apparent motion.
4. The Moon: The Light that Rules the Night (Live Show) Lower Elementary and up.
This program examines our closest neighbor—the Moon. How does it appear in our skies? Why does it change in phases? In what ways does it affect our lives? What did the Apollo astronauts learn about the Moon?
5. Monthly Skywatch (Live Show) Upper Elementary and up.
Learn how to use a simple star map. Maps are provided, so participants can take them home to use on their own. Similar to the "Stars of the Season" show in other respects.
6. Moorhead Second Grade Program (Live) Elementary
A special show just for the Moorhead 2nd grade curriculum that covers directions, methods of finding directions outside and a look a some seasonal constellations.
7. Amazing Stargazing
Join the crew from "Radio Aahs" as they take you on a fun-filled night of some Amazing Stargazing. The clever cast of characters will teach you all about the Moon, meteors, comets, constellations and much, much more. Don't miss a unique night under the stars!
8. Space Bus (Taped Show) Elementary.
"Space Bus" tells the exciting and humor-filled story of a group of kids who take a field trip through the solar system. A mishap occurs and sends their space bus on a non-stop flight to the stars. Find out how the students from Asimov Elementary and their adult companions find their way home. "Space Bus" is a family show for kids of all ages. It was written for children 5-10 years old, and extensively uses the planetarium's video projector.
9. Larry Cat In Space (Taped Show) Preschool and Elementary
This is a 30 minute show, that is a playful and imaginative presentation about an inquisitive cat who takes a trip to the Moon. Through Larry's eyes, we meet his human family—a group of enthusiastic sky-watchers. One of his family members, Diana, goes to work on the Moon as a lunar geologist. Larry misses Diana, so he figures out a way to get to the Moon and live with her. He smuggles himself on board the space station Freedom. From there, he is taken aboard the Lunar Shuttle, eventually ending up on the Moon, and surprising Diana! Meeting the rest of the Moon base inhabitants and learns about life in the Moon's environment.
10. Galaxies (Taped Show) Upper elementary and above.
This program by Timothy Ferris takes us into space, on a cosmic journey through the stars of the Milky Way and the galaxies beyond. Conveying science within the framework of nature, Galaxies is presented as a nature walk on the grand galactic scale. Looking at Earth's night sky, we see a major spiral galaxy--the Milky Way--from within, then travel out to Alpha Centauri, the Pleiades star cluster and the globular star cluster M3. The voyage of discovery continues through intergalactic space past the Andromeda Galaxy, the glittering star fields at the center of the Virgo Supercluster, and the lonely dwarf galaxies that sail the dark waters of intergalactic space.
11. Navigating with Lewis and Clark (Taped Show) Upper elementary and above
Almost 200 years ago the Lewis and Clark expedition passed North Dakota on its way to the Pacific Ocean. How did they find their way across this uncharted land? We will trace their journey using maps, photographs and the night sky.
12. The Planets
Join us for a grand voyage across the solar system and beyond. It is an exciting tour of the Sun's Family, including asteroids and comets. Then we journey beyond our local neighborhood to look at naked-eye stars that have their own planetary systems. This new program is narrated by Kate Mulgrew, who plays Captain Kathryn Janeway on Star Trek: Voyager.