School Programs at the Centre of the Universe 2006–07

The Centre of the Universe is pleased to announce its school programs for the 2006–2007 school year. We suggest a combination of programs consisting of a telescope tour, a planetarium show and a workshop or multimedia show of your choice. Each three-program combo is 1 ½ hours long and costs $120 + GST.

Below is a list of grade-appropriate programs to complement a telescope tour and planetarium show. For more information, or to book your visit, please e-mail or call us at 250-363-8262.

All of our programs can be delivered in either English or French.

Curriculum-linked Multimedia Programs or Workshops

Preschool to Gr. 1: Story time under the stars

Gr. 2–3 Science: Tour of the Solar System, Astronomy of the First People

Gr. 4 Social Studies: Sailing by the Stars, Celestial Navigation Planetarium Show

Gr. 6 Social Studies: Sailing by the Stars, Celestial Navigation Planetarium Show

Gr. 6 Science: Canucks in Space, Zero G

Gr. 7 Social Studies: Heavens of the Pharaohs, Mayan Astronomy

Gr. 8 Social Studies: Sailing by the Stars, Our Place in the Cosmos

Gr. 9 Science: Lifestyles of the Hot and Gassy, Tour of the Solar System, The Invisible Universe, Our Place in the Cosmos

Gr. 10 Science: The Earth from Space

Gr. 11 Earth Science: The Invisible Universe, Lifestyles of the Hot and Gassy, The Earth from Space

Gr. 11 Science and Technology: Earth from Space, Bad Astronomy, Telescopes, The Invisible Universe

Gr. 11 Physics: Light and Optics

Gr. 12 Comparative Civilizations: Our Place in the Cosmos, Heavens of the Pharaohs, Mayan Astronomy

Complete Program Menu

Planetarium Shows

• Plaskett Telescope Tour – Join us for a tour of the amazing Plaskett telescope. This telescope opened in 1918 and is still used every clear night of the year for research. Each tour is geared towards the age of your class and highlights many aspects of each grade's curriculum. Recommended for all grade levels.
• Aboriginal Planetarium Show – Learn how different North American First Nations viewed the sky – their stories and their constellations. Recommended for grades 3–12.
• Celestial Navigation Planetarium Show – Discover how sailors used the North Star to find their way, and learn the lore of the navigational stars. Recommended for grades 4–12.
• Egyptian Planetarium Show – Explore the night sky of one of the world's most fascinating and mysterious civilizations. We will look at Egyptian constellations and mythology, including "The Tragedy of Osiris". Recommended for grades 6–12.
• Greek Planetarium Show – Take a trip back to ancient times to see the Greek and Roman constellations. This program will also highlight some of the mythology of the time. Recommended for all grade levels.
• Mayan Planetarium Show – The Maya were the most meticulous of observers but drew some amazing conclusions about what they saw in the sky. Join us and explore the mystery of Mayan astronomy. Recommended for grades 6–12.

• Scientific Planetarium Show – This program takes you on a journey between the stars and constellations you see in our night sky. Join us in this special planetarium show to learn about the many mysteries of our universe such as black holes, extrasolar planets and the lifecycles of stars. Recommended for grades 9–12.

Multimedia Shows

• Ask an Astronomer – Does your class have a ton of questions? Let us answer them for you! Provide us with the questions in advance and we will give your class all the answers they desire! Recommended for all grade levels.

• Astronomy of the First People – A look into the star stories and legends of local and North American aboriginal people. Recommended for grades 4–12.
• Asteroid Collision Blues – A crash course on asteroids, those amazing and potentially hazardous minor planets of the solar system. Recommended for grades 6–9.
• Backpacker's Guide to the Universe – A fun-filled multimedia adventure to the distant objects in the deep sky, visiting galaxies, nebulae and star clusters along the way. Recommended for grades 7–11.
• Bad Astronomy – Astronomy is everywhere, including our favourite TV shows and movies. We will look at the good, bad and ugly astronomy presented in pop culture. Recommended for grades 6–12.
• By the Light of the Moon – A visual feast, celebrating the wonders of the Moon and it phases. Recommended for grades 3–6.
• Canucks in Space – Learn about the history of space exploration and the role that Canadians have played! Recommended for grades 6–10
• The Earth from Space – See what human-made satellites do for the citizens of Earth. Recommended for grades 6–12.
• Heavens of the Pharaohs – Learn about the mysteries of the pyramids and the importance of the stars to the Egyptians. Recommended for grades 6–12.

• The Invisible Universe – There’s more to the universe than meets the eye … see what the sky would look like if you could see radio waves, x-rays, microwaves and more! Recommended for grades 9–12.
• Lifestyles of the Hot and Gassy – Meet the real stars of astronomy – the stars! Recommended for grades 9–12.
• Light and Optics - This program will discuss the behavior of light in relation to astronomy and the design and use of different types of telescopes. Recommended for grades 11–12.

• The Mars Show – A multimedia exploration of the red planet, including 3D images (you'll love wearing the glasses!) Recommended for grades 6–12.
• Mayan Astronomy – The Maya were the most meticulous of observers but drew some amazing conclusions about what they saw in the sky. Join us and explore the mystery of Mayan astronomy. Recommended for grades 6–12
• Our Place in the Cosmos – Explore the age-old urge to make sense of the Universe through changing times, from Early Human to Urban Human. Recommended for grades 7–12.

• Sailing by the Stars – Learn how the stars have helped adventurers find their way – everyone from ancient sailors to modern astronauts! Recommended for grades 4–12.

• Saturn, Lord of the Rings – Take a journey to the very popular ringed planet and see beautiful new pictures from the Cassini mission. Recommended for grades 5–12.
• The Search for E.T . – Are we alone? Is there intelligent life out there? A multimedia investigation into the serious science that addresses these questions. Recommended for grades 8–12.

• Seasons of the Sky – A hands-on workshop where students explore the changing seasons – in the sky and on the Earth. Recommended for grades K–2.
• Story time under the Stars – A program for our youngest visitors, including a trip to the telescope, star gazing in the planetarium, and a story and craft. Recommended for preschoolers to grade 1.
• Telescopes – Some are big, some are small, some are made of metal and some are liquid. This program discusses the different types of telescopes available and how they differ. Recommended for grades 8–12.

• Third Rock! – A hands-on multimedia workshop in which students discover Earth as a unique planet. Recommended for grades 2–4.
• Tour of the Solar System – A multimedia adventure to the farthest reaches of the solar system, featuring incredible images of the planets. Recommended for grades 4–11.
• View from the Blue Planet – An amazing multimedia overview of space, beginning with our blue planet and zooming out to the farthest reaches of the Universe. Recommended for grades 8–12.

• Zero G – What is life like in zero gravity? How do astronauts go to the bathroom? Find out what life is like for the astronauts in space! Recommended for grades 5–12.

TV-style game shows for students to test their knowledge are also available as follow-ups to some of our programs.

Additional Programs

Professional Development at the Centre of the Universe – The Centre of the Universe is pleased to offer professional development opportunities for Elementary, Middle and Secondary school teachers.

Starlab Outreach Programs – Bring the Centre of the Universe to your school with the Starlab Portable Planetarium.

Yours for an Evening … the Centre of the Universe – Your group could spend two exclusive primetime hours at the Centre, including night-sky observation and a variety of astronomy activities, for $300 plus admission (per group of 30 or fewer) + GST. Call us for more details!

Sleep at the Centre of the Universe – Talk about sleeping under the stars! This program runs from 7 p.m. Friday night until 9 a.m. Saturday morning (don't worry, we get about 8 hours’ sleep) and includes telescope observing, hands-on workshops, and auditorium shows. A bedtime snack and light breakfast are included (no supper). Cost: $32+GST per person, 25-person minimum. Call us for more details or to book your sleepover between April 15th and October 31st!