Community Collaboration - Sky Dome Planetarium

2012 Fiscal Year Funding Amount

$964

Project of

Southeastern Libraries Cooperating Legacy Grant SFY 2012 - SFY 2013

Fund Source

Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund

Recipient

Wabasha Public Library

Recipient Type

Libraries

Status

Completed

Start Date

July 2012

End Date

July 2012

Activity Type

Education/Outreach/Engagement

Counties Affected

Wabasha

Project Overview

The Exploradome (an inflatable, traveling planetarium) from the University of Minnesota/Bell Museum was set up in Wabasha. Students entered the dome to be introduced to a "star-filled" sky. The navigator/performer guides students through the stars of the Northern Hemisphere exactly as they appear on the day of the presentation. Three presentations were planned. Students learned how to identify stars and constellations and were introduced to Greek mythological characters and saw how these heroes of the past can be found in the stars. Students witnessed the night sky in different seasons and from different global perspectives. The age ranged between Kindergarten through ninth grade. Outside the planetarium, a staff laptop with library automation software was made available to check out books on site. There was a collection of books on stargazing, mythology, history of astronomy, science fiction, nocturnal animals, camping, etc. for the children to check-out. This same collection was on display back at the library before and after the event. This planetarium activity was part of the summer reading program. The theme was "Dream Big, Read" and learning about the night sky fit well with that theme.

Project Details

Competitive Grant Making Body

Board Members and Qualifications

The following are members of the SELCO/SELS Board of Directors. All appointments are made locally by legally constituted governing authorities: library boards, city councils, and/or boards of county commissions. Leo Aeikens - Albert Lea, Sally Baker - Austin, Martha Hauschildt - Brownsdale, Liz Wanschura - Caledonia, Carol Price - Cannon Falls, Denise Mullen - Chatfield, Nancy Smith - Dodge Center, Clint Patterson - Dodge County, Mary Jane Holland - Faribault, Judy Webster - Harmony, Kurt Carlson - Hokah, Marilyn Frauenkron Bayer - Houston, Lori Hopkins - Kasson, Rhana Olson - Kenyon, Robin Yaffe Tschumper - LaCrescent, Andru Peters - Lake City, Barb Payne - LeRoy, Robert Elliott - Lonsdale, Deanna Larson - Mabel, Robert Bruce - Northfield, Thomas Sherman - Olmsted County, John Pfeifer - Owatonna, Kim Aarsvold - Pine Island, Mary Schneider - Plainview, Charles Sparks - Preston, Sara Hoffman - Red Wing, Galen Malecha - Rice County, Diane Moench - Rochester, Valerie Hasleiet - Rushford, Jill Mueller - St Charles, Pat Falbo - Spring Grove, Carol Gross - Spring Valley, Janice Welch - Stewartville, Judith Schotzko - Wabasha, Dave Harms - Wabasha County, Judy Rusert - Winona County, Ann Goplen - Zumbrota

Advisory Group Members and Qualifications

The Legacy Review Committee serves as an advisory committee. The committee shall consist of 11 members representing each county within the SELCO/SELS region, with a majority being current or recent members of the SELCO/SELS Board Of Directors and the remaining coming from the arts and cultural heritage communities. Diane Moench - Olmsted County, Clint Patterson - Dodge County, Gretchen Schade - Fillmore County, Pat Mulso - Freeborn County, Don Regelman - Goodhue County, Drue Ferguson - Houston County, Scott Anderson - Mower County, Marcy Irby - Rice County, Sharon Stark - Steele County, Judith Schotzko - Wabasha County, Jill Mueller - Winona County

Conflict of Interest Disclosed

Project Details: 2012 Fiscal Year

Legal Citation / Subdivision

Laws of Minnesota for 2011 Chapter 6, Article 4, Subdivision 4

2012 Fiscal Year Funding Amount

$964

Direct expenses

$964

Administration costs

$24

Number of full time equivalents funded

0.006

Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

Increase interest and awareness in children and adults about the night sky and the solar system

Measurable Outcome(s)

Sixteen surveys were completed. The majority of the surveys rated the quality and enjoyment of the program high. Most of the surveys also stated the program enhanced their knowledge of the solar system and would consider the library as a place to experience programming. The children were very attentive, appreciative, asked and answered good questions. Six books were checked out following the program. The planetarium books were also available for two weeks following the program at the library.

Source of Additional Funds

Wabasha-Kellogg Community Education and Early Childhood Literacy (W-K Community Education)

Recipient Board Members

The following are members of the SELCO/SELS Board of Directors. All appointments are made locally by legally constituted governing authorities: library boards, city councils, and/or boards of county commissions.
Leo Aeikens - Albert Lea, Sally Baker - Austin, Martha Hauschildt - Brownsdale, Liz Wanschura - Caledonia, Carol Price - Cannon Falls, Denise Mullen - Chatfield, Nancy Smith - Dodge Center, Clint Patterson - Dodge County, Mary Jane Holland - Faribault, Judy Webster - Harmony, Kurt Carlson - Hokah, Marilyn Frauenkron Bayer - Houston, Lori Hopkins - Kasson, Rhana Olson - Kenyon, Robin Yaffe Tschumper - LaCrescent, Andru Peters - Lake City, Barb Payne - LeRoy, Robert Elliott - Lonsdale, Deanna Larson - Mabel, Robert Bruce - Northfield, Thomas Sherman - Olmsted County, John Pfeifer - Owatonna, Kim Aarsvold - Pine Island, Mary Schneider - Plainview, Charles Sparks - Preston, Sara Hoffman - Red Wing, Galen Malecha - Rice County, Diane Moench - Rochester, Valerie Hasleiet - Rushford, Jill Mueller - St Charles, Pat Falbo - Spring Grove, Carol Gross - Spring Valley, Janice Welch - Stewartville, Judith Schotzko - Wabasha, Dave Harms - Wabasha County, Judy Rusert - Winona County, Ann Goplen - Zumbrota