Amanda Williams helps grade 1 students into planetarium. Photo by Wende Carr
Students at the Town of Webb School had the opportunity to learn a lesson on the celestial world on Tuesday and Wednesday February 26 and 27 when Loren Dachary of Oneida/ Herkimer/ Madison BOCES brought a portable planetarium to the school.
Dachary conducted 40-minute educational sessions in the inflated dome to the students throughout the two-day period.
The planetarium is utilized to teach students a variety of topics, including Native American Legends, Earth Science, Greek Mythology, Weather and Ocean Currents, Poetry, Creative Writing, Latitude and Longitude, and Astronomy.
The portable planetarium, modeled from Starlab, has fresh air circulating through it and can accommodate up to 25 students at a time.
With the reduction of school budgets across the state, Dachary said the planetarium provides students the opportunity for an in school field trip. State aid monies are available to bring the program to schools, she said.
