2017-2018 Planetarium School Programs

The Nathan and Fannye Shafran Planetarium features a high-definition imagery experience. Updated educational programs offer an interactive, out-of-this-world learning experience.

• All programs are 60 minutes in length except where noted. • Total planetarium capacity is 87 people, including students, teachers and chaperones. • All topics include views of the current night sky. • If time permits, groups of 60 or fewer may also visit the 10 1/2-inch refractor telescope in the wheelchair-accessible Ralph Mueller Observatory.

Scheduling a Museum Visit

Complete our online reservation request form and a Museum scheduler will contact you Or call (216) 231-8002 Monday through Friday, 9 am to 4:30 pm

Cost for Programs at the Museum • Planetarium Programs: $7/student o $140 minimum fee for less than 20 students

Social Studies Programs

Indian Star Stories — Grades 3-5 Why doesn’t coyote have a constellation in the sky, and who is endlessly chasing the bear around the North Star? Find out as we tell the entertaining and informative sky legends of native North Americans. Grade 4: Social Studies: History – Heritage: 3 Grade 5: Social Studies: Geography – Human Systems: 8

Sky Legends of the Ancient World — Grades 6-7 Journey back in time to hear the exotic star myths of the early civilizations of India, Egypt, China and Mesopotamia. We’ll also relate creative stories of the constellations as told by the ancient Greeks and Romans. Grade 6: Social Studies: History – Early Civilizations: 2 Grade 7: Earth and Space Science: Cycles and Patterns of the Earth and Moon Grade 7: Social Studies: Early Civilizations: 2 SScience Programs

One World, One Sky — PreK When the lights go down, the “stars” will shine within our planetarium dome in this half-hour recorded program. Join Big Bird and Elmo as they learn about the night sky, and join us on a trip to the Moon. PreK: Earth and Space Science: Daily and Seasonal Changes

Once Upon a Sky — Grades K-1 Learn the stories and folktales behind popular constellations and see how they are viewed differently across the globe. We'll have some fun connecting the "starry" dots. Grade K: Earth and Space Science: Daily and Seasonal Changes

Starry, Starry Night — Grades K-2 Look to the sky as we observe the Sun, Moon and stars, and follow their movements. Learn about the Sun and how the energy it provides affects weather here on Earth. Grade K: Earth and Space Science: Daily and Seasonal Changes Grade 1: Earth and Space Science: Sun, Energy and Weather Grade 2: Earth and Space Science: Changes in Motion

The Atmosphere — Grade 2 Learn about the remarkable and ever-active envelope of air surrounding our planet. We’ll discuss the daily and seasonal changes of weather and climate. Grade 2: Earth and Space Science: The Atmosphere

The Solar System — Grades 3-5 Learn amazing facts about the planets in our Solar System. The Sun, Earth, Moon, asteroids, comets – what an exotic zoo! We’ll cover them all. Grade 3: Physical Science: Matter and Forms of Energy Grade 4: Earth and Space Science: Earth's Surface Grade 5: Earth and Space Science: Cycles and Patterns in the Solar System

Stars in Our Universe — Grades 5-7 The Sun is one of many stars that exist in the Universe. Explore the inner workings of stars -- atoms, energy, and how that energy makes its way into the Universe. Grade 5: Earth and Space Science: Cycles and Patterns in the Solar System Grade 6: Physical Science: Matter and Motion Grade 7: Physical Science: Conservation of Mass and Energy

Reasons for the Seasons — Grades 5-7 Find out the real reasons that we have seasons (it isn’t the varying distance of the Earth from the Sun). We’ll see seasonal changes of the skies from Cleveland, with additional views from other parts of the globe. Grade 5: Earth and Space Science: Cycles and Patterns in the Solar System Grade 6: PS: Matter and Motion Grade 7: Earth and Space Science: Cycles and Patterns of the Earth and Moon

The Solar System: Advanced — Grades 6-8 Immerse yourself in the Solar System and discover what makes it go round. We will talk about the formation of the Sun, planets, and moons -- gravity, energy, and motions included. Grade 6: PS: Matter and Motion Grade 7: Earth and Space Science: Cycles and Patterns of the Earth and Moon Grade 8: PS: Forces and Motion Target: Moon— Grades 7-8 We’ll focus on all things lunar: the origin of the Moon, its ancient battered surface, and its tidal effects on Earth. Follow the Moon’s monthly path across the sky and learn why its shape appears to change. Grade 7: Earth and Space Science: Cycles and Patterns of the Earth and Moon Grade 8: Earth and Space Science: Physical Earth Grade 8: Physical Science: Forces and Motion

Climate Change - Investigating Our Impact — Grades 7-12 There’s no debate during this program! Warm up your minds in the Shafran Planetarium as we challenge students to explore the connection between simple scientific principles and changes in temperature and weather that scientists refer to as “global climate change.” Students will learn about the “greenhouse effect” and human contributions to global warming by introduction of greenhouse gases into the Earth’s atmosphere. Grade 7: Earth and Space Science: Cycles and Patterns of Earth and the Moon Grades 9-12: Environmental Science: Earth Systems

Stars: From Beginning to End — Grades 8-12 Follow the cycle of a star’s life from its birth in a nebula to its final end. Discover red giants, white dwarfs, supernovae and black holes. Grade 8: Physical Science: Forces and Motion Grades 9/10: Physical Science: Energy and Waves Grades 9/10: Physical Science: The Universe

The Universe — Grades 8-12 Beginning with the Big Bang, travel through time and observe the formation and evolution of stars, planets and galaxies. We’ll provide a comprehensive overview of the major objects in our Universe. Grade 8: Physical Science: Forces and Motion Grades 9/10: Physical Science: Energy and Waves Grades 9/10: Physical Science: The Universe

90 minute Gallery/Planetarium Program Evolution — Grades 9-12 Investigate the evolution of life on Earth. Students will spend the first half of the program in the Shafran Planetarium viewing “Life: A Cosmic Story.” This immersive experience shows how our planet became suitable for life and explains how life itself has changed the Earth. Discover how, through evolution, life became more complex. We’ll explore the great diversity of vertebrates in the Museum galleries during the second half of the program, discovering which traits enabled each vertebrate group to thrive and evolve over time. Grade 8: Life Science: Species and Reproduction Grades 9-12: Biology: Evolution