Current
School Shows in the Willard Smith
Planetarium
Bring your students into the best astronomy classroom
possible -- the night sky. The Planetarium offers an
immersive environment, intimate size, and interactive
programming aligned with Washington State GLE's and
supporting most K-8 astronomy curricula. In the
planetarium, everyone enjoys a front row seat.
School groups can make advance reservations to visit the
planetarium for a private astronomy program on weekdays
during the school year. Seating is limited to 44 people per
show, and children under age 4 are not admitted.
To reserve a show for your class in the planetarium, call
the Registration office at (206) 443-2925.
Preschool
All-Stars
Preschool All-Stars is an opportunity for children ages 2-5
to be introduced to the wonders of astronomy within the
structure of a developmentally appropriate planetarium
experience. Students will interact with the sky in the
planetarium through dance, song, and storytelling. (20
minutes. Pre-K and K only.)
Paths Across the
Sky
Using observation, storytelling, and prediction, this
program introduces young students to the cycles of the sky
as seen from earth with a focus on motions of the sun and
stars. (20 minutes. Grades K-1.)
The Sky
Tonight
Our best show for any age above 6, students will learn to
use a star map, and practice describing and recognizing the
objects and motions of the night sky. This show involves a
small amount of reading, and is highly adaptable for
mixed-grade and high-school classes. (40 minutes. Grades
2-12.)
Planets
Locate planets in the night sky, then delve into the
similarities and differences between the various classes of
planets in our solar system. This show involves a small
amount of reading, and is best enjoyed at the beginning or
end of a class unit on the solar system. (40 minutes.
Grades 2-8.)
The Reason for the
Seasons
Travel through time to observe the sun's special position
at each season of the year, then travel around the earth to
track the sun at varying latitudes. The planetarium
provides the ideal environment to experience annual
patterns of the sun's motion. Once again, this show is an
ideal complement to a unit about sky motion or seasons. (40
minutes. Grades 3-12.)
For a listing of GLEs for all our shows and exhibits,
check →here.
