Weekday Shows for Schools and Groups

The Rollins Planetarium presents educational shows for school classes or other groups wishing to learn more about the sky. Each show runs approximately 40-45 minutes.

To schedule a showing, e-mail Planetarium Director Steve Morgan at smorgan@yhc.edu or call him at (706) 379-5130 at least two weeks in advance of your requested time. Please have the following information available: the time and date requested, the show title you would like to see, and the approximate number of people attending. The seating capacity of the planetarium is 109. There is no admission charge.

Please Pardon Our Progress!
The planetarium will be temporarily closed beginning in May 2008 for maintenance & installation of new full dome digital video projection equipment. Programs will resume, hopefully sometime in July 2008. Please check back later for more details!

The shows currently offered are:

The Friendly Stars—Ideal for the youngest students, this new show provides an introduction to the daytime and nighttime skies, and a highlighted tour of the solar system. Includes delightful animation sequences to augment a live-narrated performance. Available beginning late September 2007. (recommended for K-2nd graders)

Rusty Rocket’s Last Blast—Come explore the solar system with Commander Rusty Rocket. Learn about the solar system by traveling to each of the planets and exploring the great distances in space. (recommended for 1st-3rd graders)

Planet Patrol: Solar System Stakeout—Follow along with two Planetary Investigators as they explore our solar system while tracking down a strange radio signal from the planet Earth. (recommended for 2nd-6th graders)

WSKY: Radio Station of the Stars—Patterned after a Top 40 radio station, this program features a couple of cosmic DJs as they present a totally “spaced out” show that explores the universe. From shooting stars to black holes and beyond, WSKY makes learning about astronomy enjoyable and exciting! (recommended for 4th-8th graders)

Black Holes—This show explains black holes using everyday examples and a healthy dose of humor. Included is a light-hearted discussion between Stella, a black hole who was once a celebrity “big star,” and her faithful Hollywood agent, Irving. Recent discoveries and images are featured. (recommended for 5th-High School)

Blown Away: The Wild World of Weather— Discover the awesome fury of a tornado, become immersed in a category four hurricane and get swept into a thunderstorm in this virtual adventure, which gives students an incredible look at Earth’s weather in all its many forms. (recommended for 4th-High School)

Cosmic Concerts— The planetarium also presents these fun (but not educational) shows featuring music, lasers and other light effects. Note: Cosmic Concerts contain loud rock music, strobes, and spinning star motions that may be disruptive to some. If anything of this nature will bother you or your students, it is recommended you do not request a full-length concert. Instead, you may request a less intense Mini-Concert, which can be presented at the conclusion of one of the other shows described on this page. (recommended for various ages)

‘Tis the Season—Special Holiday Presentation (Nov.-Dec. only) Our annual Christmas show explores the traditions surrounding the Christmas season and the star that led the wise men to Bethlehem. (grades 3 & up)