Programs: Earthdome

Earthdome is a science program for Indian Prairie 4th grade students. At Earthdome, students assume the roles of scientists. There they investigate the planets to determine the best one to send a settlement. Students have either earth sciences interests or biological science backgrounds. While investigating the planets through a web-based program, students collect either biological data or earth sciences data about each planet. After investigating the planets the scientists combine their data to determine the location in the solar system where to create the extra-terrestrial settlement.

The Earthdome feature is only available on the school district's internal network, but it is available in every classroom and every computer lab. While the district uses both Windows-based and Macintosh-based computers, Earthdome can be experienced on both.

While in early deployment, Earthdome has been awarded the Larry Stilgebauer Award of Excellence for Exemplary use of Technology in the classroom at the Role of Technology Education Conference XIX, February 25, 1999. The project has been presented to the Great Lakes Planetarium Association, a professional group of planetarians.