Planetarium features new programs, technology
In March 2020 when COVID-19 shut down Merrillville schools, planetarium shows at Pierce Middle School also came to a screeching halt.
Up until then, the school’s planetarium, which is the only planetarium in Northwest Indiana, had been a busy destination, offering both student and seasonal community shows, and even drawing student groups from various other school districts.
But the COVID-19 shutdown also brought an opportunity for the planetarium that no one really anticipated. Since there were no demands on the technology and equipment and an undetermined amount of downtime, there appeared time to re-evaluate and improve upon one of the more unique aspects of the Merrillville Community School Corporation.
Founded in 1973, the planetarium’s primary goal is providing programs and information that support the curriculum of Merrillville schools.
Previous Planetarium Director Gregg Williams, who came on the scene in the early 1980s, worked hard to continuously modernize and keep up with rapidly changing technology, in addition to maintaining and running the entire planetarium.
MCSC administrators and technology staff took a trip to the Adler Planetarium in Chicago to learn as much as they could about its operation that could be applied to the planetarium at Pierce Middle School.
The school board approved the investment in new software, projectors, and Evans and Sutherland shows. New audiences will have the ability to view highly detailed maps and soar in and out of planets, moons, and solar systems.
Every piece of equipment was replaced, and the technology was simplified and streamlined.
With the initial upgrade completed, the planetarium will open once again this month to provide unique immersive educational experiences to Merrillville students, complementing the learning that is already taking place in the classrooms.
According to Mr. Elder, the school corporation purchased shows that matched the academic standards that go with each grade level.
“K-6 teachers reviewed the new shows,” Mr. Elder said. “Not all our new shows are about astronomy. In our new program for kindergarten, Big Bird and Elmo talk about the moon. Third graders will get a program about bugs which also relates to their science curriculum.”
He hopes community shows will start up again in the summer.
The planetarium’s experience will continue to evolve, according to Mr. Elder, as they identify and update other aspects of it to make the entire experience more interactive and immersive.
For example, MHS architectural students were invited to visit and provide input in the redesign of the planetarium’s waiting room with the goal of beginning the audience’s immersive and interactive experiences steps before they set foot in the planetarium itself.
“It’s a good idea to involve students in as many ways as possible,” Mr. Elder said.
Mr. Elder said he wants to keep things fresh to keep kids coming back, and he hopes to be able to use a nearby classroom as a hands-on lab to provide experiences related to the shows in the planetarium.
The new director will continue to sponsor the Planetarium Club at Pierce Middle School and train the students on the planetarium software and presenting the shows.