The Wayne County Math and Science Center owns two StarLabs, indoor planetariums. They are for the use of Wayne County teachers. In order to borrow the StarLab, you must be trained. Training for StarLab are conducted as needed. If you would like more information about StarLab trainings, please contact Linda Olinik at firstname.lastname@example.org
Here is a short story about light pollution written by Bob Riddle. He wrote it a few years ago as part of an achievement award for Girl Scouts.
Here is a wonderfully illustrated and narrated story about the effects of light pollution on what we are unable to see in the night skies as a result. More importantly it shows how light polluted night skies have an effect on living things - especially those that are night types. (8 minutes)
When you use the Starlab, it is your responsibility to complete a student services form . This is important because it lets us know how many students have shared in the use of the Starlab. Please download the student services form and return it to Linda Olinik at email@example.com
The Starlab can be used for one week at a time, unless other arrangements have been made. It should be picked up on Monday and returned on Friday. Please download the Starlab Return Instructions Form to view information on returning the Starlab and contact information. If you have questions, please contact Linda Olinik at firstname.lastname@example.org
MSU Sky Calendars
The StarLab website provides all of the information that you will need about the StarLab.
Instructional Videos on Using the Starlab
The South Carolina State Museum made a series of training videos on using the Starlab. The focus of the videos was to provide information on their Starlab, but also to help those who have a Starlab and need help in using it. All of the videos are located on YouTube. Each video lasts 3 - 9 minutes.
- Overview and Unfolding the Starlab
- The Starlab Fan and Inflating the Starlab
- The Standard Starlab Projector
- Starlab Cylinders and "The Yellow Box"
- Inside the Starlab and Safety Outside the Starlab
- Entering the Starlab and Deflating the Dome and Packing Up
Please click HERE to watch the entire process of setting up the Starlab, presenting a "show" and tearing it down, in a 25 second video
Classic Starlab Cylinder Manuals
The Wayne County Math and Science Center has 15 different cylinders that you can use with your students. There is a user manual for each cylinder, that provides information on using that specific cylinder. Please click on the name of each cylinder, to download the manual: Starfield ; Constellations ; Celestial Coordinates ; Deep Sky Objects ; Solar System and Galaxy ; Earth ; Plate Tectonics ; Ocean Currents ; Weather ; Greek Mythology ; Ancient Egyptian Culture ; Native American Mythology ; Chinese Legends ; African Mythology ; Biological Cell
Activities and Lesson Manuals for Use in Starlab
Starlab Set-Up, Operation and Maintenance Manuals
Each of the following manuals are valuable in setting up the Starlab, using the projector, folding and unfolding the dome, and general maintenance. Please select the manual the correlates to the projector that you are using. Please click HERE for the Standard Projector and Starlab. Please click HERE for the LED Projector and Starlab.
Please click on the above link to get answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about the Starlab, including: "How many people fit inside?"; "What kind of room do I need for the Starlab?"; "How long does it take to set up and take down?"; "How do I get inside of it and do I have to crawl?";"How heavy is it?"; and "Is it handicapped accessible?"
View students in Wayne County using the StarLab.You will also be able to view teachers being trained in the use of the Starlab by Rod Bisher, from a training that took place on August 15, 2012 for Waye County teachers.
Rod Bisher is the owner of StarDogs Astronomy. Rod has trained teachers in the use of StarLab in Wayne County and is an approved presenter through the Wayne County Math and Science Center at Wayne RESA. For more information, contact Rod at: Office: 517-803-2349; Cell: 517-490-6246; email: email@example.com; Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/www.stardogs.info
Super Science Investigators
Dr. Jeffery Driscoll is the owner of Super Science Investigators (SSI). He has been entertaining Michigan schools by providing a day of science fun including state of the art, digital portable planetariums using StarLab and Digitalis Digital Planetarium systems for several years. His organization also provides students the opportunity to view the sun using professional grade solar telescopes. SSI also provides community wide deep space observation including the planets, galaxies, open clusters, nebulae and other night time gems using professional grade telescopes. He spent nearly 10 years as a NASA outreach coordinator as part of the Saturn Observation Campaign. He is an approved presenter through Wayne RESA. You can contact him for a day of discovery at firstname.lastname@example.org or visit the Super Science Investigator website at superscienceinvestigators.com, Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sciencebydrd .