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Tuesday, October 10, 2006
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Planetarium brings stars closer
Staff Writer BAXTER -When Brian Wallace was a young boy, he spotted something shooting across the night sky. Intrigued, he began to study the stars, constellations, planets and other galaxy objects. This grew into a lifelong interest in astronomy.
Now working in his "dream job" teaching astronomy at Forestview Middle School in Baxter, Wallace hopes he is teaching the next generation of meteorologists, scientists or even NASA astronauts.
Forestview is one of only a few schools in Minnesota that has its own planetarium and may be the only middle school in the state with such a learning facility, Wallace said. It features a full-dome video projection system produced by Evans and Sutherland that projects on a 28-foot perforated aluminum Spitz permanent dome. The planetarium seats 50 people in seats that bend in half so spectators can lie back and watch the night sky as it unfolds on the 360-degree spherical dome.
Wallace said he approached Brainerd Superintendent Jerry Walseth about including a planetarium in the plans for Forestview as the new middle school was being planned.
"Without his support, this wouldn't have happened," Wallace said of Walseth. "It really sets apart our school, that we think it's important for kids."
All Brainerd sixth-graders are required to take a nine-week introduction to astronomy course from Wallace, who also has the district's third-graders stop over during the school year for an introductory session in the planetarium. Students in eighth grade are tested on astronomy during their state assessment tests so the district's goal is to introduce astronomy earlier in their schooling.
If you go
Join Mike Lynch of WCCO-Radio for a Minnesota Starwatch Party from 7-9 p.m. Saturday at Forestview Middle School in Baxter.
The two-hour program will begin with an orientation, followed by outside observation on the school's soccer field. Lynch will be bringing six large telescopes, including a 20-inch reflector telescope, believed to be one of the biggest mobile telescopes in the state.
All participants will receive a packet of star maps and constellation charts, as well as a list of astronomical Web sites and information on telescopes and other resources.
Participants are asked to bring a lawn chair and warm clothing for being outdoors.
Cost is $10 per person, $25 for a family of four and $5 for additional family members beyond four. Tickets may be purchased in advance from Brainerd Community Education or at the door.
The event is sponsored by Brainerd Community Education. For more information, call community education at 454-6924.
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Wallace is not only hoping the planetarium will generate interest in the night sky by students, but he's hoping adults, too, will rediscover an interest in space. The planetarium is available to school groups and organizations throughout the area and Wallace has hosted presentations for everyone from preschoolers to adults. The district also hosts field trips of students from neighboring districts for one-hour presentations. Cost is $2 per student.
In addition to the Minnesota Starwatch Party planned for Saturday, a presentation by Mike Lynch of WCCO Radio, Wallace has begun teaching community education classes in the planetarium and plans to increase course offerings this year.
"I think as a society we've kind of lost touch with the wonders of the universe," Wallace said. "I'm hoping this will, at least in Brainerd, create some interest in the sky and universe."
Wallace's next community education class will be "Night Sky Splendor," a follow-up to Lynch's Starwatch class. There will be two sessions of the class in the planetarium - 5:30-7 p.m. or 7:30-8 p.m. Oct. 24. Cost is $10 per person. Contact Brainerd Community Education to sign up for this class, which will be geared mostly for teens and adults. Constellations and points of interest in the night sky will be reviewed in the state-of-the-art planetarium and spectators will watch "Stars of the Pharoahs" in the planetarium environment. They will learn about the connection the ancient Egyptians felt with the stars and various astronomical phenomena.
Wallace said this winter that he hopes to offer "Season of Light," an opportunity for families to learn about the traditions of Christmas and the scientific explanations about the things that are happening in the Christmas night sky. All money raised through programs like this will help pay for replacement equipment for the planetarium and for new planetarium shows.
"The kids are very lucky to have this opportunity,"Wallace said. "I tell them that on the first day of class."
To learn more about the Forestview planetarium or to sign up for a newsletter on planetarium happenings, visit the Web site, http://forestviewplanetarium.org.
JODIE TWEED can be reached at jodie.tweed@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5858.
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