Get a head start on programming for Space Day (May 4) and Astronomy Day (May 6) by signing your class onboard for the special Space Week - Galactic Adventure Experience. Since its launch in 1997, the Space Day educational initiative has been observed by millions of children in 21 countries. Through studying astronomy and space exploration, children develop an appreciation of the achievements and opportunities in the exploration of space and an understanding of the roles of math, science and engineering.

Your class will do everything in the Galactic Adventure package, plus:
• Meet an astronaut to hear first-hand about experiences in space. • Join Chief Astronomer Derrick Pitts in the rooftop observatory (weather permitting) to look at the sun the safest way—through our giant refracting telescope,which is equipped with special filters. • Get a valuable science gift for your classroom. • Receive advance Educator Resource Package, including classroom guide for Magnificent Desolation, Tom Hanks IMAX film about walking on the Moon, and other materials to continue the Galactic Adventure Experience in your own classroom.
Save $2 per student when you reserve Space Week/Galactic Adventure Experience. Discount Available from May 1-5, 2006 only. Refer to Code SXP06.

The Galactic Adventure Experience

Space Command
Report to this low earth orbit research station, where student missions include recovering a lost unmanned space probe using technologies developed by NASA scientists. That's just one of 30 interactive stations that put space exploration within everyone's reach. Students visit the Orientation area before heading to Space Academy to brush up their technical skills.

Daily Demonstrations include Space Boot Camp, where aspiring astronauts can learn about space realities like propulsion, meteor impact and the effects of anti-gravity environments on the human body. A Space Suit demonstration highlights the reasoning behind their design and the materials used to make them. Check the daily schedule for availability.

Fels Planetarium Workshop and Live Shows

The Life and Death of a Star Workshop* Grades 3-8 or high school (Galactic Adventure Package Reservation required) Minimum 30 students; maximum 240
Our new high definition Digital Sky planetarium projection system catapults students into multi-dimensional space where they'll explore the life cycle of the stars. With a member of the Fels staff, your class will learn about the age, size and composition of dwarf stars, supernovas, pulsars and black holes, and discover how scientists determine these facts using various tools. Exclusive to the Galactic Experience package, students will receive spectroscopes (theirs to keep) to decipher the age and composition of hypothetical stars.

SPECIAL Tuesdays through June
Every Tuesday this spring, the Institute's Chief Astronomer Derrick Pitts will host The Life and Death of a Star Planetarium Workshop portion of the Galactic Adventure Experience. Mr. Pitts, a frequent guest commentator on WHYY-FM, NBC-10, WXPN Kids Corner, and MSNBC, has a knack for explaining complicated things so that everyone can understand.

Life in Space in Musser Demonstration Theater*
Suddenly, your class is aboard a rocket heading for outer space! Once there, students enter "astronaut training" to explore the challenges of living and working in the weightless environment of space. Students become "satellites" to communicate findings back to Earth. (Galactic Adventure Package Reservation required)

Tuttleman IMAX Theater

Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon
Take your trip into space one giant step further with a walk on the Moon with the Apollo astronauts and other space explorers. Tom Hanks is your narrator/guide. See details here.

The Fels Planetarium

Shows last 25-30 minutes. Minimum group size: 30 (fewer if other groups have reserved); maximum 240. Special audio available for hearing-impaired visitors. ADA accessible.

The Life and Death of a Star Planetarium Show Grades 3-12 (Reservation required)
Classes not taking part in The Galactic Adventure Experience can still travel the Universe in an expanded, full-length show. Their live Planetarium host will take them to explore the life cycle of the stars, from the most distant galaxies to our very own Sun. Students will also learn about the age, size and composition of dwarf stars, supernovas, pulsars and black holes, and discover how scientists determine these facts using various tools.

BIG!
Join the crew, and journey to the farthest observable reaches of outer space to find out just how big the universe is. Seen by over 400,000 visitors to England's National Space Centre, Big! combines a light-hearted storytelling style with computer animation, claymation, laser graphics and surround sound musical score to bring a really BIG subject down to Earth.

*Available with Galactic Adventure Experience only.