Education & Planetarium Programs

The Galaxy Walk is a scale model of the distances between objects in our solar system, it also includes some nearby stars and galaxies. Stroll PARI's campus while receiving this easy to grasp perspective of the positioning of the planets and gain an understanding of the immense distances separating them from one another and from the Sun.

You'll get to enjoy some time outdoors during this activity and learn fascinating facts about each place that you visit.

Pairs well with Size and Scale of the Solar System.

It’s hard to imagine just how big the planet Jupiter is, much less the Sun itself. Understanding the sizes and distances between the planets is a challenge, so we’ll use a variety of models and scales to demonstrate both the size of things in our solar system, and the distances between them.

Each participant will make a model they can take home with them.

Pairs well with the Galaxy Walk.

The colors in a star can help us understand its size, mass, and temperature. Astronomers use these properties to categorize stars based on the unique patterns in their spectra, or the rainbows of light revealed when their light is split with a prism. In this program, we will explore these sophisiticated means of learning about stars.

Use the spectra of actual stars to see the differences between red dwarfs and red giants, and blue super-giants and sun-like stars. Discover how are they formed, and which will die in a slow and gentle puff, and which in a violent super-nova.

Take a peek at history as well and learn about some of the inspiring individuals, like the Harvard Computers, who pioneered the processes we use today to perform the science of Stellar Classification.

For a deeper understanding of how light is used to study things around us, pair with Spectroscopy. To explore PARI's archives of stellar data spanning over a century, pair with an APDA Tour.

Life on Earth is completely dependant on our star, the Sun. But the Sun can also be a source of danger! How does what happens on the Sun impact the Earth? Did you know that the Sun is made of many layers and has its own weather? Find out about sun spots, solar flares, and mass coronal ejections and what can happen to us here when they occur.

Learn about the cycle of activity on the Sun, how our magnetic field and our technology is affected, and some historic events that had shocking global impact!

If conditions allow, this program will conclude with a look through a solar telescope at the Sun. But, never look at the Sun on your own without the right equipment.

Pairs well with The Reason for the Seasons or Spectroscopy. Schedule during the day when the Sun is out for best results!

You can't visit PARI and not notice the giant, nine story tall, 85 foot diameter, radio telescopes! Built by NASA in the 1960's, they are the reason we exist. Radio Astronomy is a core part of who we are, and what it can reveal about the universe is fascinating. It allows the unseen to be discovered.

Astronomers use radio telescopes to pick up light that has much less energy than the colors of light we see with our eyes. This unseen light can reveal the composition, temperature, and movement of distant objects like nebulae, super nova remnants, and entire galaxies!

Learn how radio astronomy works and what we can learn with it. See how we study and make maps and images of things in space that cannot be seen or investigated with an optical telescope. We'll control one and collect data live in this program.

Makes a perfect pairing with Spectroscopy for an amazing astrophysics experience.
For an even deeper journey through Radio Astronomy, sign up for one of our summer camps!

Spectroscopy is the study of light and what we can learn from it. Concepts like color, wavelength, frequency, and photon energy will all make sense once you understand the spectrum. Learn about where light comes from and how it can change depending on what emits it, and what it interacts with on its way to us. An investigation of light can reveal the composition, movement, and temperature of anything, whether in the distant reaches of the universe, or directly in front of us.

Spectroscopy also allows scientists to study things that are extremely small, like molecules, atoms, and even smaller sub-atomic particles. Almost every branch of science uses the properties of light to learn about the world around us.

This program includes hands-on acitivies and examples to explore the spectrum and conecpts like Doppler Shift and the movement of electrons in atoms.

Spectroscopy serves as an excellent introduction to any other program or activity at PARI and forms the foundation for many branches of science. It can be appreciated by learners of any age.

Astrobiology is the study of life in space. It includes topics like the conditions necessary for life as we know it, like liquid water, the presence of oxygen, and bearable gravity; and the places in space where these conditions are found. Astrobiology makes use of physics, chemistry, astronomy, biology, molecular biology, ecology, planetary science, geography and geology to investigate the possibility of life on other worlds and help recognize biospheres that might be different from the Earth’s.

Where can humans survive in space, and where might they thrive? Are there places in our own solar system or beyond that might be capable of supporting life? Are there places here on Earth where strange or extreme conditions host life unlike what most of us have ever encountered? Can we grow food in space to sustain us, and stay safe from hazards? These are the types of questions astrobiologists answer.

For a version of Astrobiology for younger learners, take a look at Extremophiles and Exoplanets.

Robotic explorers are essential for the study of hard to reach places on Earth, the Moon, Mars, and beyond. The ability to navigate different terrains and use sensors to collect information both play a role in their effectivness. We'll use PARI's rover fleet to explore real and simulated terrains and collect data about them using methods similar to how rovers on other planets are controlled.

Do you know how many planets have been visited by robots, and what kinds have gone to them? Do they just crawl, or do some fly or swim? Have any melted?

This activity is best for smaller groups of 15 or less so each participant will be able to control the rovers.

Pairs well with Bristle Bots for more robot fun, or Lunar and Martian Geography or Journey to Mars to learn about the places they explore.

The Astronomical Photographic Data Archive (APDA) is one of the world’s largest repositories of historical astronomical data. Beginning over 100 years ago, astronomers collected their data on glass plates or plastic films, similarly to taking an image with a camera. These plates can hold many thousands of stars, recording how they changed over decades, many of which have never been investigated. APDA helps researchers use the universe as their laboratory and study phenomena that can take a lifetime to unfold.

See how we store the plates and how we scan and digitize them to make this data about how objects in space change over time available to researchers around the world. You'll also hear about some of PARI's contributions to missions like the ESA's GAIA spacecraft, and challenges like unraveling the mystery of strange places in space like Tabby's Star.

Pairs well with Stellar Classification and Spectroscopy.

Did you know that we have begun a new Space Race? This time around we are aiming for Mars! Learn about how we prepare for this incredible journey. From how we adapt old technology to the creation of new, through the effects on the human mind and body, to the goals and rewards of reaching a new planet, this program will help you investigate humanity’s next great adventure.

By the way, did you know that kids in school today will be just the right age to be a part of this epic journey as they complete college? They may even blaze the trail to even more places like the Asteroid Belt and the moons of Jupiter and Saturn.

Pairs well with Rovers Exploration and Lunar and Martian Geography.
To launch your own simulated journey to Mars or beyond, sign up for one of our summer camps.

PARI’s history as a base that once spied on the messages of others makes it an inspiring backdrop to learn just how we protect secret communications and decipher those sent by others. This program, inspired by CryptoClub, developed at the University of Chicago, strengthens math and language skills to explore the worlds of codes and ciphers. The history of spies and the security of the internet depend on these methods.

We'll look at the many ways that information can be hidden and found again. Changing how information is sent isn't always meant to be a secret either. Encodings like Morse Code, Braille, and systems used by computers like ASCII and binary numbers are able to be understood by anyone who wants to learn but are still codes. The methods we use to send information with light to satellites and through fiber optic cables can also be done with methods that are either understandable by all, or completely meaningless to anyone who can't decrypt them. There are even methods for hiding things directly in plain sight.

Pairs well with Computational Thinking. Available as a more in depth multi-day program, ask us how to set it up for your group!
Available as a summer camp during some years.

Is there life in outer space? The best way we have today to investigate this question is to look at the strangest forms of life here on Earth. From creatures that live deep in the ocean around volcanic vents to tiny acid loving bacteria, to penguins who love the cold, our planet is host to organisms that thrive in conditions far beyond what a human could survive. Once we understand the extremes in which life can exist, we know what to look for in space. Almost every star we search for planets around seems to have them, and some of them have conditions that might be just right for some of the strangest life.

This program includes a hands-on portion where participants create their own strange planets and imagine the life that might thrive there.

Looking for this for more higher grade levels, check out Astrobiology.

Did you know that the first computers were humans? It’s true, the machines we use today are named after a special way of thinking and solving problems that humans do. You can learn to think like a (human) computer too. We’ll show you how a computer breaks down problems and uses data and logic to conquer complex tasks. Hold Boolean birthday parties and act out algorithms in this interactive look at how we can make mundane tasks faster and bring the impossible within reach.

Pairs well with Spies and Secrets.
Available as a longer or multi-day program.

A Bristle Bot is a simple and fun robot made with parts of a toothbrush, some pipe cleaners, and a battery and motor. Oh, and don’t forget googly eyes! Build your own hand made robot to take home that can wiggle and race across a table top in patterns you’ll need some experimentation to control.

Get experience with some basic wiring and experiment with how the shape of your robot changes its motion. Hands on and tons of fun. Anyone can build this robot.

Pairs well with Rovers Exploration.

How much fuel should you mix to get the most boom for your buck? Do fins and nose cones help or hinder your design? Does your rocket have enough oomph to get where it needs to go or will your astronauts crash back down or get stranded in the vacuum of space?

Only the best spacecrafts will win this activity that combines managing budgets and the scientific method with foamy explosions and rocket building.

Pairs well with Journey to Mars and Lunar & Martian Geography.

Would you like to help climate scientists understand the changing world around us? This series of activities teaches how to participate in collecting data on cloud cover, temperature, rain and humidity, and more, while helping further our understanding of the world and verify the data collected by satellites. The skills learned in this program can be used to add to studies on these topics for years to come.

This world-wide NASA program lets you help NASA scientists study Earth and work with satellite data.

Become a Citizen Scientist!

Meteorites fall to Earth every day. Some come from places like the asteroid belt or are debris left over from passing comets. Others come from even more distant or stranger places. They all help us learn about the composition and history of the solar system. But, if we didn't see the rock fall to Earth ourselves, how do we know it is a meteorite and not a meteor-wrong?

Learn about meteorites, touch meteorites, and perform some of the most common experiments to determine whether a rock came from space in this activity. Once you eliminate the decoys, you'll be left with a real meteorite you can take home with you!

Pairs well with Spectroscopy and a Museum Tour

Have you ever looked up at the Moon and wondered why some parts are dark and some light, or where the Apollo missions landed? Do you know where the largest craters, valleys, and volcanoes ever found are located? Can you tell the difference between a rift formed by an earthquake and one carved by water? Do you know what a yardang is? Examine these topics with explorations of other planets and hands-on activities to learn about the formation methods of studing of our closest neighbors.

Add an optional, edible, addition to this activity for an extra fee and simulate lunar lava with gooey treats. Or, send each participant home with a 3D model of a lunar crater 🎁 . 💵 Additional fees apply

Pairs well with Astrobiology, Rovers Exploration, or a Galaxy Walk

Some of the most fascinating images telescopes capture are the magnificent and varied nebulae that have formed throughout our galaxy.

Many are both the graveyards of ancient stars, and the nurseries for new generations of stars. Some are dark, some are illuminated, and some give off light of their own that can only be seen with special telescopes.

In this activity you'll learn about nebulas, how they form, and how they change over time. You'll also see the brilliant patterns and colors that have long inspired scientists and artists.

Then, let your creativity flow and make your own Nebula Art. Using simple materials and methods you can do over and over again, you'll make your own nebulous masterpieces and take them home.

See one of the ways art helps us view the universe in new ways. Inspiring for learners of all ages!

An educator will guide your group through our museum and share history, stories, and scientific facts about space and how we explore it.

The tour includes our NASA heritage gallery with satellites, a rocket engine, a lunar lander, and items flown in space that you can touch.

Next is our mineral and fossil gallery full of samples from North Carolina and around the world. See rocks, crystals, geodes, dinosaur bones, and more. We’ll talk about how geology and materials science are both necessary and important parts of space science and are made possible by studying rocks.

Our collection of meteorites is next with rocks from space that landed all over the world. Learn how we study and identify them and what they tell us about our solar system and beyond.

Finally our fluorescent tunnel will show you one of the ways energy and matter can interact that you normally cannot see. It also gives a preview of how some materials may look out in space or under the light of a different star. (Very large groups might not fit in the fluorescent tunnel).

A great addition to any PARI visit!