The WVHS Planetarium is the science and technology center for Indian Prairie School District 204. In the 2008-2009 school year, over 12,000 students attended a field trip program from the 33 schools in the district. The WVHS Planetarium serves district students by offering programming connected directly to district curriculum. Accordingly, the planetarium is an extension of their classroom. A student graduating high school in District 204 has visited the planetarium at least five times. Each visit is different, as the curriculum changes. Because the WVHS Planetarium is supported by the district, all field trip programs for district students are free.
The schedule for IPSD 204 groups is made in May prior to the upcoming school year. After Labor Day in September, the calendar is then released to other groups to schedule field trips for that school year. Any IPSD 204 group interested in making a reservation should email Stephanie Rybka at stephanie_rybka@ipsd.org.
As a part of District 204, the WVHS Planetarium serves district students by offering programming connected to district curriculum. All programs include a night sky portion in which students observe apparent motion and identify constellations, stars, planets, the moon, etc.
Pre-School - The in-house pre-school at WVHS visits the planetarium twice during the school year. During the first visit, students are introduced to the sky. Students then explore the planets during their second visit.
First Grade - First graders discover the planets in 'Journey Through the Solar System'. Students identify, define, and compare the planets, rings, moons, and more as they fly around the solar system.
Second Grade - 'What's Up' explores what we see in the sky. The program focuses on the objects we see and the changes in the sky. Rotate, revolve, day, night, year, orbit, distance, and size are the key concepts.
Third Grade - On field trip 'To the Moon' third graders begin by looking at the moon as we see it from Earth. Students examine the phases of the moon by identifying the phase, discussing rotate and revolve, and comparing the Sun, Earth, and Moon. Third graders then look at the moon as only the Apollo astronauts have. Students investigate space travel, rockets, gravity, and atmosphere.
Fourth Grade - The fourth grade program is 'All About Planets'. For thousands of years people have seen planets in the sky with their eyes. Today, NASA's space probes have enabled us to explore the planets like never before. Fourth graders will examine the planets in both ways.
Fifth Grade - Sky Maps are road maps to the 'Stars and Constellations' in night sky. Fifth grade students learn how to use a sky map and practice identifying objects in the current night sky. The program also introduces students to the life cycle of a star.
Eighth Grade - Four hundred years ago Galileo used a telescope to explore the night sky. Today we explore the universe with NASA's Great Observatories including the Hubble Space Telescope. Eighth grade students take a tour of the night sky and the life cycle of a star including temperature, color, size, location, galaxies, nebulae, red giants, nuclear fusion, white dwarfs, neutron stars, black holes, etc.
High School (WVHS) - Astronomy and Cosmic Journey are two courses taught at WVHS in which students regularly use the planetarium as an astronomy lab. The planetarium has developed interdisciplinary field trips for Physics, French 3, Spanish 3, and Mythology.
All programs are linked to
Illinois State Learning Standard Goal 12, which is to
understand the fundamental concepts, principles, and interconnections of the life, physical and earth/space sciences. Part F of Goal 12 is to
know and apply concepts that explain the composition and structure of the universe and the Earth's place in it.
Programs are not limited to the list above. If there is a curricular connection, the planetarium will create a program. Contact the planetarium director.
All IPSD 204 students are welcome to attend programs.
Schedule - The schedule can be viewed on the planetarium’s calendar. Only reserved programs appear on the calendar.
Program Times - Only TWO programs are scheduled during a school day. Programs last approximately 60 minutes with 10 minuets between each program for flexibility. The start times are:
- A – 9:40 am
- B – 10:50 am
- C – 12:00 pm
Seating - The planetarium has 58 permanent seats. With folding chairs the capacity is 75.
Admission - Programs are free to IPSD 204 students.
Transportation - The planetarium is not responsible for scheduling or funding busing. Make sure your bus driver knows what to do. Several times in the past year bus drivers did not run a shuttle between a school and the planetarium. This resulted in canceling programs.
Reservations - The schedule for IPSD 204 groups is made in May prior to the upcoming school year. After Labor Day in September, the calendar is then released to other groups to schedule field trips for that school year. Groups interested in attending programs should contact Stephanie Rybka at
stephanie_rybka@ipsd.org.
Drop Off - Buses are to unload students at the planetarium entrance. All high school doors are locked for security purposes. Please knock and someone will assist you. In bad weather, please send a teacher/adult to verify that I am waiting at the door for your group before unloading students.
In the Hallway -Line up your students in the hallway. Make a line for each class. PLEASE remind students of appropriate hallway behavior while in a school building. Programs begin with an introduction in the hallway.
In Use Light - If the In Use Light is on, please do not open the door. Opening the door floods the planetarium with light pollution and creates a disruption to programming.
Planetarium Expectations - All audience members are expected to...
- Respect the planetarium and school facilities.
- Refrain from placing shoes on the seats.
- Refrain from bringing beverages, food, candy, or chewing gum into the planetarium (unless for medical reasons).
- Refrain from creating noise or light pollution (turn off phones and other electronic devices).
Nurse - The nurse at WVHS can be reached at 630-375-3350.
Restrooms - Please take care of all restroom needs before coming to the planetarium. This cuts down on the exiting and entering during a program. There is one small restroom in the planetarium hallway.
Handicap Accessibility - The planetarium is handicap accessible and can accommodate up to 4 wheelchairs.
Closures - If for any reason Indian Prairie School District 204 closes, all field trips will be canceled. Your field trip will be rescheduled as soon as the schedule allows.
WVHS Drills - Fire, tornado, or lock down drills typically takes place before planetarium programs. In the event of a drill, the planetarium audience will participate with the rest of the building.