Wednesday, April 22
8:30am - 3:00pm
CHRISTA MCAULIFFE CENTER
FRAMINGHAM STATE UNIVERSITY
for Individual Participants in grades 5-8
Expedition Mars space mission simulation in the Challenger Learning Center, including brand-new VR briefings; interactive planetarium program, including full-dome film Big Astronomy; and MicroObservatory activity. For individual participants in grades 5-8 during April School Vacation.
APRIL 22 PROGRAM
Time: 8:30am-3:00pm (includes mission simulation AND planetarium program.)
Age Group: Children in grades 5-8
Cost: $75 per participant
PROGRAMMING OFFERED
Expedition Mars
Space Mission Simulation in the Challenger Learning Center with Briefings in VR
The year is 2076. A handful of facilities have been established on Mars: a greenhouse, a mobile geological survey base, and a centralized research habitat. The primary human habitat is not on Mars, but on one of its moons, Phobos. A Spacecraft regularly ferries astronauts and scientists between the base on Phobos and the surface of Mars. The Spacecraft also carries parts to build a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to continue the search for evidence of life and water. However, when crew members discover an imminent threat to their Spacecraft and the Martian surface facilities, they must act quickly to save their stations, their research, and their lives.
Planetarium Program
Including Night Sky Tour, Full-Dome Film, and Telescope Demonstration.
Hands-on Activity: MicroObservatory
Big Astronomy
Full-Dome Film
Take a journey through observatories used by professional astronomers in the gorgeous mountains of Chile, one of the best astronomical observing locations on Earth. Our planetarium is transformed into a giant observatory dome as astronomers investigate the Solar System and the distant observable Universe. Visit with the technicians from an array of STEM disciplines who build, maintain, and operate these huge instruments.
Hands-on Activity
MicroObservatory
NASA's space science researchers control some of the world's most sophisticated space probes and orbiting telescopes to get amazing images of objects in space. Now YOU can join them by operating your OWN ground-based "MicroObservatories" — real robotic telescopes that you command through this website!
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
Drop off: Starting at 8:30am
Expedition Mars Preparation: 8:45am-9:30am
Expedition Mars: 9:30am-11:30am
Lunch Break: 11:30am-12:00pm
Planetarium: 12:00pm-1:30pm
STEM and Team Building Activities: 1:30-2:00pm
MicroObservatory: 2:00pm-3:00pm
Pick Up: 3:00pm
WHAT TO EXPECT
This highly entertaining program is designed to deliver a STEM learning experience that requires participants to actively engage in a wide range of tasks in a timely manner.
To ensure full enjoyment of the program, participants are encouraged to arrive 15 minutes prior to the program start time to allow for check-in.
This is a drop-off/pick-up event.
If you are not familiar with the Framingham State University campus, it is recommended you add travel time for traffic and navigating the campus.
The McAuliffe Center does not provide food or refreshments for the program.
A registration confirmation email provides additional information about your visit to the McAuliffe Center.
Cost: $75 per participant
Questions? Contact McAuliffe Center at cmc@framingham.edu