The University of Arizona

Portable Planetarium Programs

The UA Science Center offers five portable planetarium shows designed to inspire, teach, and entertain. The portable planetarium is especially well suited to students grades pre K-3, but works for all ages. Our shows are based on the Arizona state science standards, and are designed to help teachers fulfill their curriculum requirements as well as provide an enriching and entertaining astronomy experience. The shows are also a great way to entertain and educate groups of all ages!

To book the Portable Planetarium, click here!

Show Descriptions, grade levels, costs and state standards:

  • The Little Sky Show: 3yrs. - 1st grade (20 min.)
    $100 for the first show, $50 for each additional show, minimum 2 shows or $150.00.
    Young children now have the opportunity to learn about the sky in a planetarium show designed just for them! In our portable planetarium, children will develop an awareness of changes that occur in the sky. Using story and song, children learn about constellations, and the sun and moon. Children also become more comfortable with the dark as they learn about the differences between day and night.
    Arizona State Science Standards: Strand 6 Concept 2 (Grade 1: PO1, PO2, PO3)
  • There's No Place Like Space - All About our Solar Systems: 3yrs. - 1st grade (20 min.)
    $100 for the first show, $50 for each additional show, minimum 2 shows or $150.00.
    Set to the rhymes of Dr. Seuss and the words of Tish Rabe, There’s No Place Like Space takes young children on a journey through our solar system. Using story and images, children learn about the planets, the sun, the moon and the mysterious place we call space.
    Arizona State Science Standards: Strand 6 Concept 2 (Grade 1: PO1, PO2, PO3)
  • Follow the Drinking Gourd: K-5th grade (20min.)
    $100 for the first show, $50 for each additional show, minimum 2 shows or $150.00.
    Follow the Drinking Gourd tells the story of how slaves used the stars of the Big Dipper to find their way to freedom. Participants will learn to identify circumpolar constellations like the Big Dipper and will develop an awareness of seasonal changes in the night sky while sitting under the stars in our portable planetarium.
    Arizona State Science Standards: Strand 2 Concept 1 (Kindergarten & Grade 1: PO1, PO2 Grade 2: PO1); Strand 3 Concept 2 (Grade 2 PO1, PO3); Strand 6 Concept 2 (Grade 1: PO2, PO3)
  • Constellations: 4th - 8th grade (50 min.)
    $175 for the first show, $75 for each additional show.
    Learn about constellations and develop an understanding of how motions of the earth result in observable changes in the night sky. Construct and keep your own star finders and learn to identify and find constellations. Participants will practice using their star finders under a realistic sky in our portable planetarium theater.
    Arizona State Science Standards, Strand 6 Concept 3 (Grade 5: PO3, PO4, PO5; Grade 7: PO4, PO5)
  • Seasons: 5th - 8th grade (50 min.)
    $175 for the first show, $75 for each additional show
    Learn the "reason for the seasons" by engaging in full-body (kinesthetic) activities and exploring the sky in our portable planetarium. Participants develop an understanding of the effects of the Earth’s position and motion on seasonal changes. In our portable planetarium we will move through space and time to show the seasonal constellations and help connect the changes we see in the sky to the three-dimensional motions of the solar system.
    Arizona State Science Standards: Strand 6 Concept 3 (Grade 5: PO4, PO5; Grade 7: PO4, PO5, PO6)