Future Bucks County Teacher Organizes Planetarium Show

LOCK HAVEN, PA (12/06/2011)(readMedia)-- Salladasburg Elementary School students enjoyed a "guided tour" of the night sky when they visited Lock Haven University on December 2. They took their seats in the university's Ulmer Planetarium and had a brief introduction to the planetarium equipment by Associate Professor James Wheeler. Then the room went dark and the stars came out overhead...to oohs and aahs by the students.

The 47 fifth-grade students have been studying a unit on the solar system. Teachers Angela Feerar and Cindy Ream, and LHU student teachers Nathan Shenk and Sandra Drobnich accompanied their students to the LHU campus for an exciting and educational field trip that enabled the students to explore worlds beyond their own without having to leave their seats.

Professor Wheeler started by giving a tour of the night sky, pointing out the brightest stars and constellations. As the "night time" progressed, the stars moved, some dipping below the horizon and others becoming visible for the first time. The students were able to identify Orion with his three-stars-in-a-row belt, Ursa major and other constellations in a "sky" unaffected by weather and light pollution.

After the sky show, Wheeler used the interior dome of the planetarium to present a slide show on the planets and their moons. From tiny Mercury to the great gas giants, the planets came into focus and students could clearly see craters, weather patterns, rings and other important features. The planets' moons all had different appearances, including one that looked like a golf ball.

The students' unit on the solar system "was designed to introduce the components of the solar system along with their characteristics so that our students would better understand the place they inhabit and begin to appreciate the great mysteries that surround us," said Shenk. He and fellow student teacher Sandra Drobnich developed the unit and organized the planetarium visit with Professor Wheeler.

If there was any doubt about the impact of the planetarium visit, the students' reactions erased all doubts. Emily Carr said, "It was awesome! We got to see a lot of cool things in space like constellations and close-up pictures of the planets. Ursa Major was definitely my favorite constellation."

Chase Butters added, "The planetarium was amazing, like a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It was really informational. I learned a lot about the constellations and the planets."

Another student told Sandra Drobnich, "I actually didn't care about science and all that stuff until this field trip." Drobnich remarked, "If that doesn't speak loud and clear about the journey into space provided by Dr. Wheeler, then I do not know what would."

Shenk added, "The field trip to the Lock Haven University planetarium was a complete success. The students had a stellar time-full pun intended. It was truly remarkable to see how an experience like that could spark such inspiration in children. To witness the excitement, enthusiasm and engagement my students exemplified throughout this exploration was indeed gratifying. This was an endeavor I will not soon forget."

As they boarded the bus for the trip back to Salladasburg, Shenk summed up everyone's reaction. "Wow," he said, "what an adventure!"

Shenck will soon be moving to Miami, Florida, where he will be applying for a teaching position. Drobnich plans to teach in her hometown in Bucks County, Pa.

Lock Haven University is a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), the largest provider of higher education in the commonwealth. Its 14 universities offer more than 250 degree and certificate programs in more than 120 areas of study. Nearly 405,000 system alumni live and work in Pennsylvania.