Bring your students a learning experience that is out of this world!

We are very excited to offer schools and other learning communities the opportunity to bring your students to the John Carl Pogue Planetarium.  We offer grade specific learning opportunities aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills.

You may select to experience one of those or you may choose a custom experience!

Programs for other grades levels and/or presentations to cover specific learning objectives can be created to meet your specific needs. 

Contact chris.miller@gpisd.org to get started.

1st grade (one-hour visit) 

Students will join a couple of young “Astro-otters” as they learn about Earth and Space. We will learn how the sun appears higher in the sky in the summer time, making days long and hot, and how it appears lower in the sky in winter causing colder, shorter days.

2nd grade (1 ½ hour visit)

We begin this cram packed visit with a look at Space Shapes, during which your students will really feel as if they are flying through space! They will then watch an ancient story written in the stars, followed by the story of an ordinary little star who learns that by being ordinary, he is a very special star. Students will also use their bodies to follow the path of the sun and moon across the sky. We even explore the way colors appear differently in low light.

3rd grade (1 ½ hour visit)

This visit begins in the Planetarium lobby where we explore some of the images there. The learning continues inside the dome with interactive activities about the sun, matter, and energy. Then we view two presentations. The first will re-visit those young “Astro-otters” as they learn about the planets. Then we will join Luna, the lunar moth and her friends for more information. Finally, we will take a virtual rocket trip to each planet and learn even more details about the planets.

4th grade (1 ½ hour visit)

This visit begins outside as students collect data about a shadow. Inside students learn about patterns in nature, including seasons, tides, and moon phases. Then they join some 4th grade students as they develop their own science investigation about shadows. They then will view a program about the Water Cycle. Before leaving, they will again gather shadow data, with the challenge to develop their own science investigation!

5th grade (1 ½ hour visit)

Since 5th grade public school students take a state science assessment over concepts learned in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade, we review some information learned in younger grade visits, and lots of new concepts as well. Students will view a program created by the Pogue Planetarium about Similarities and differences between Earth, Moon and Sun. The we join Coyote as he makes his own investigations about them.

6th grade students (one-hour visit)

We will learn of the contributions to astronomy by early pioneers like Galileo. They will visit each planet and some moons to learn details about each. They will view an award winning program about efforts that are underway to return to the moon.

7th grade students (one-hour visit)

Learn about life science. During their visit they will learn about the hazards of living and working in Space. They will search for other Solar System locations where life might exist, and they will view “Our Living Climate,” that explores Earth’s climate throughout time.

8th grade students (one-hour visit)

Take a state assessment over concepts covered in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. We will review some concepts from 6th, and 7th grade and explore our Universe beyond the Solar System. Students finish their visit by viewing a stunning program, “From Earth to the Universe.”