Ocean County College

The Robert J Novins Planetarium
Celebrating 35 Years as Your Place for SpaceSchool Programs

Get Your Astronomy "To Go" With Our Traveling Programs

Classroom Workshops | Portable Planetarium Programs | The Space Man | Pricing & Reservations

The study of the universe does more than teach us about stars, planets and galaxies. Astronomy also ties in to science, math, art and literature, and helps students better understand humanity's place in the cosmos. The Novins Planetarium offers a variety of original programs for area schools, based on NJ curriculum standards. We are pleased to be able to offer an array of programs that can be brought to your school. Programs can also be adapted to meet the needs of scouts or after school groups.

All programs are led by one of our knowledgeable planetarium educators and designed to fit within a class period. The presentations are more than just a lecture or computer presentation, but also include models, demonstrations and hands-on activities as appropriate. When you book one of these programs, you will also be provided with supplemental materials and activities to use with your students to reinforce what they learn during our visit.

School programs in our newly renovated planetarium theater will resume this fall.

Classroom Workshops

Day and Night
Grades Pre-K through 1st
Curriculum Standards: 5.9a, b
Your students will learn about the different objects they can see in both the day and night sky, from the sun and moon to stars, clouds and birds. Our educator will use models to demonstrate why we experience day and night and discuss why the sun is important for us here on Earth.

Sun, Moon and Stars
Grades 1 & 2
Curriculum Standards: 5.9a, b, c
This program will introduce your students to the main objects they can see in the sky. We will also discuss the season's constellations and how to look for them in the night sky.

Marvelous Moon
Grades 3 & 4
Curriculum Standards: 5.9a, b, c, d
Visible in both the day and night sky, the moon has been an important part of many cultures. Marvelous Moon will introduce students to Earth's natural satellite, explain why we see Lunar phases, and discuss some of the features that can be seen when looking at the moon through binoculars or a telescope.

Working and Living in Space
Grades 4 through 6
Curriculum Standards: 2.1a, b, c, d, 2.5b, 2.6a, 5.2a, 5.9b
Explore some of the challenges that must be overcome for humans to live and work in space. We'll discuss some of the effects of space travel on the human body and what astronauts do to deal with them. Food, clothing, exercise, hygiene, sleep and more are among the topics in this presentation.

Seasons
Grades 5 & 6
Curriculum Standards: 5.9a, c, d
The interrelationship of the Sun, Moon and Earth has dramatic effects on Earth. We'll discuss and demonstrate the cause of seasons, eclipses and the seasonal change in the constellations.

Exploring the Solar System
Grades 4 through 6
Curriculum Standards: 5.9b, c, d
This program will introduce your students to the size and scale of the solar system and highlight the unique traits of the planets and other members of our solar neighborhood. We will also discuss what students can expect to see when observing the planets through binoculars or a telescope.

The Sun and Other Stars
Grades 7 & 8
Curriculum Standards: 5.9c, d
Learn about our sun as a star, how we study and learn about stars, and how our star compares to others.

The New Solar System
Grades 7 & 8
Curriculum Standards: 5.9b
In this program, we'll discuss Earth as a planet through comparison with other planets. Highlights of recent space missions will be discussed as well as discoveries of planets outside of our solar system.

Discovering the Universe
Grades 9 through 12
Curriculum Standards: 5.9d
New telescopes bring us the universe many different ways. This program will highlight recent information and discoveries about the universe in general, as well as how astronomers know what they do about the universe.

Portable Planetarium Programs

The Night Sky
All Grades
Curriculum Standards: 5.9c
Let us bring the stars to you with a portable planetarium presentation. This 16-ft inflatable dome seats approximately 25 and is an excellent way to learn about the season's bright stars, planets and constellations. Programs can be adapted to all ages.

StarLab Rental
All Grades
Available to teachers who have received StarLab training
from the Novins Planetarium or Raritan Valley Community College Planetarium/NJACE
Use your training to bring the stars to your students. Rental is for 1 week. Please notify us at least 3 weeks in advance. StarLab must be picked up and returned to Ocean County College.

The Space Man

Astro Marc

In partnership with Cosmic Explorers, this is a brand new program developed
in the wake of the 40th anniversary of the Apollo XI Moon landing. Students will be thrilled when our "astronaut" enters the room in full costume, bringing the excitement of space exploration to your school through stories, imagery and interaction. This program can be adapted for large assembly programs,
or for a single classroom. It is also adaptable for all grade levels.

Humans in Space
Students will be introduced to some of the Human needs that need to be met while in space, training done to prepare for working and living in a weightless environment, and the physical changes and challenges that astronauts experience during spaceflight.

Earth from Space
Explore the ways that NASA looks at our home planet so we can better understand our weather, climate, deforestation, and other global forces.

More Space Man programs are in development. Let us know what you want to see!

Gift Shop Options
Goodie bags are available from our gift shop for $2.50 per student. Bags contain a space patch, and a variety of space-related items which may include: star or shuttle erasers, notepads, moon calendars, earth keychains, Novins pencils, stickers, star necklaces, and more (dependent upon availability.) Please provide a minimum of one week's notice as bags are created for each individual group.

Pricing

Classroom Workshops

Duration	1st Program	Add'l Program	# Students (Approx.)
60 min	$160	$90	30 per session (classroom)

StarLab Programs

Duration	1st Program	Add'l Program	# Students (Approx.)
60 min	$280	$95	25 per session

StarLab Rental

Duration	Fee
1 week	$250/week

* The teacher using the system must have prior StarLab training.

The Space Man

Duration	1st Program	Add'l Program	# Students
60 min	$550	$250	Assembly
60 min	$350	$160	30 per session (classroom)

School purchase orders are accepted

Don't see the program you need? Contact us to discuss your particular needs and options for a customized program.

Please contact Planetarium Director Gloria Villalobos to inquire about these programs or other ways we can meet your educational needs at 732.255.0400 ext. 2111

For more information:
Recorded information:    732.255.0342
Planetarium Office:         732.255.0343
Planetarium Director:     732.255.0400 ext 2111
Email: planetarium@ocean.edu