Page 4 - Portable Planetariums

ONE PRODUCT MANY FUNCTIONS

Teaching Astronomy

Planetariums have traditionally been seen as
facilities located within museums.

In the 1960’s, many planetariums were built

in U.S schools and the development of the
portable planetarium brought planetarium
experiences to schools without permanent
facilities.

Schools and Regional Cooperatives

Public and private schools have purchased
portable planetariums primarily to teach
astronomy. With these Planetariums they

teach about constellations, day and night,
seasons, and phases of the moon).

Middle school teachers use global
projections for teaching meteorology,

oceanography, geology, and geography.

Collegues and Universities

Many institutions of higher education have encouraged their faculty and students to
become involved in promoting science in nearby communities.

Portable Planetariums have been introduced in universities such as Wesleyan
University (Middle Town, CT) and Oregon Graduate Institute of Science and
Technology. Planetariums have been useful for teachers in conducting classes and
workshops.

*Based on IPS Portable Planetarium Handbook 2002, Susan Button