PORTABLE DOME THEATER
Let Us Bring The Stars To You!
Longway Planetarium’s traveling program uses an inflatable dome to bring state-of-the-art video technology to your location, immersing your school in a dark, cloudless night sky during the daytime. Your students will experience the wonder of scientific exploration as the inflatable dome is rendered in a realistic model of the night sky over your school’s town on the date that we visit. With the aid of video images and simulations, students will get an up-close look at some of the most distant objects that can be seen from Earth.
Servicing the Genesee County area! For reservations, call 810-237-3409.
Portable Dome Shows
The Zula Patrol: Down To Earth
Grades 1-4
While on a routine fossil-hunting expedition, the Zula Patrol turns up evidence that the villainous Deliria Delight has been travelling back in time to Earth’s prehistoric past to illegally dump her company’s toxic trash. The Zula Patrollers must find and catch her, before her actions cause catastrophic consequences. In the process, our heroes learn all about the formation and development of Earth, and the life forms who call it home.
25 minutes, includes a star talk.
GLCE: L.OL.E.1, L.OL.E.2, L.OL.E.3, L.EC.E.2, E.SE.E.2, E.ES.E.4, E.ES.E.5, E.ST.E.1, P.PM.E.1
Secret of the Cardboard Rocket
Grades 1-4
Our most popular children’s show has been remade for the full dome environment. Embark on an awesome adventure as two children spend a night touring the Solar System alongside their ship’s navigator, a talking astronomy book. Produced with modern digital animation and spectacular audio effects created at George Lucas’ Skywalker Ranch.
50 minutes, includes a star talk.
GLCE: E.ST.04.12, E.ST.04.22, E.ST.04.23, E.ST.04.24, E.ST.04.25
Perfect Little Planet
Grades 4-6
Imagine the ultimate space vacation! Discover our solar system through a new perspective: a family from another star system seeking the perfect vacation spot. Fly over the surface of Pluto, our best known Dwarf Planet. Dive over the ice cliffs of Miranda. Sail through the rings of Saturn. Feel the lightning storms of Jupiter. Walk on the surface of Mars. Which destination would you choose?
45 minutes, includes a star talk.
GLCE: P.EN.03.11, P.FM.03.22, E.ST.04.11
Skies Over Michigan
Grades 4 & up
In this live program, students will explore the night sky. Topics include the rotation of Earth for day and night; finding the North Star and finding your way around the night sky; what a constellation is and which are visible in the current night sky. Moon phases, the daily and monthly motion of the Moon through the sky, and visible planets and their movement among the stars will also be discussed.
40 minutes.
GLCE: E.ST.04.11, E.ST.04.12, E.ST.04.21, E.ST.04.22, E.ST.04.23, E.ST.04.24, E.ST.04.25, E.ST.05.62, E.ST.05.21, E.ST.05.22, E.ST.05.23
Two Small Pieces of Glass
Grades 4 & up
While attending a local star party, two students learn how the telescope has helped us understand our place in space and how telescopes continue to expand our understanding of the Universe. Their conversation with an astronomer enlightens them on the history of the telescope and the discoveries these wonderful tools have made.
45 minutes, includes a star talk.
GLCE: S.IP.M.1, S.IA.M.1, S.RS.M.1, E.ST.05.11, E.ST.05.21
The Body Code
Grades 5 & up
Fly through the carotid artery; explore the eye, brain, ear, and heart. Shrink into a cell to see its nucleus and DNA within. Discover how DNA programs the body’s cells to form the circulatory and nervous systems. Watch from inside as we use lasers to fight disease at the cellular level.
25 minutes.
GLCE: L.OL.05.41, L.OL.05.42, L.OL.07.21, L.OL.07.22, L.OL.07.23, L.OL.07.24
Call 810-237-3409 to reserve the portable dome.
Reservations

Call 810-237-3409 to make a reservation. Groups with young children may include up to 30 students, plus the teacher. A few chairs can be included for adults, but the majority of participants will be seated on the floor.
Venue Requirements

26’0" x 40'4" indoor space for dome. 13’3" ceiling minimum clear space, no light fixtures. 2 electrical outlets. Able-bodied person to help load and unload. No other activities happening in the same area.
Pricing

The fee is $475 for the first show, and $135 for each additional show, with a maximum of 6 shows per day. You may book any combination of available shows for your scheduled day.
Plan Your Field Trip!
Call 810-237-3409 for reservations
Use the 2022-2023 Education Guide to plan your field trip or outreach program.
View the PDF.
View each section of the guide:
History & Social Studies
Hands-on Science at Longway Planetarium
Planetarium Theater Shows
Portable Dome Theater