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1. What is the STARLAB?
The STARLAB is a portable instructional aid for classroom teachers. It consists of an inflatable dome and a projection system. The projector uses mylar cylinders which are designed to help illustrate specific topics. The most common curriculum taught in the STARLAB is astronomy. However, other curricular topics can be presented in the STARLAB. Projection cylinders are available to teach mythology, weather, earth science, biology, oceanography, applied mathematics. Also available is a blank cylinder that can be used to project most any type of image desired (art, history, etc.). The curricular applications are many, limited only by the ingenuity of the teacher.
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2. How big is the STARLAB?
The MSI now offers two different size STARLAB Planetariums--a standard size and a giant size. The giant size dome inflates to a height of 13.5 feet and an inside diameter of 23 feet. A room that is a minimum of 40' X 40' with 14 foot ceilings is required to set the dome up. The standard size dome inflates to a height of 10.5 feet and is 21 ft in diameter. The standard dome requires an open floor space of approximately 30' X 30' and a vertical clearance of 12 ft.
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3. How many students can be in the dome at one time?
According to company specifications, the rated capacity is of the giant dome is 50-60 adults or 90 children. One teacher has reported to me that she had 87 students in the dome at one time. Most teachers keep the number down to 30-50 students with 2 or 3 teachers. I suggest a maximum capacity in the standard dome of 30 students.
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4. Can it be set up outside?
No. The domes must be set up inside.
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5. How quickly can students exit the dome in case of emergency?
There is no solid floor in the dome, By simply lifting the side, everyone inside can be out in just a few seconds.
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6. Is it handicapped accessible?
Yes it is. The entrance is large enough for a wheelchair to enter. Anyone on crutches could enter by lifting the side of the dome.
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7. Are there chairs or desks inside the dome?
No. Everyone sits on the floor.
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8. Are presentations of the STARLAB brought out to different schools?
YES. The latest program offered is that the STARLAB can be brought to your school and up to seven 20 minute presentations would be made to students on a topic that was mutually agreed by the teacher arranging the visit and the presenter. In addition, if the school conducts a Family Science Night either on the same evening or at a mutually agreed upon date, the presenter would return to the school and set up the STARLAB for the parents to experience the STARLAB themselves. Cost for this is $500, plus travel expenses for the presenter.
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9. How do the teachers receive training?
Training sessions are offered at Arkansas Tech usually once a semester. Training sessions can be arranged to be conducted at school locations. Contact Steve Zimmer to learn more of the details of this possibility.
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10. What is the cost of the training?
All training sessions conducted at ATU will have a registration fee of $50 fee for a 6 hour workshop (with lunch provided). Sessions can be conducted at other locations around the state. The cost of bringing the training to your school is $600 plus travel expenses for the trainer assuming a teacher or teachers from the school attend the training. The school arranging the training will be eligible to immediately schedule a loan of a STARLAB system at no additional cost. The training sessions are limited to 30 teachers, parent helpers and/or administrators. For more information, contact Steve Zimmer.
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11. How long is the training? What is covered during the training
The STARLAB training sessions are 6 hours in length. Training in the use of the Solar Imaging equipment is also included During each session, all equipment will be thoroughly discussed and examined and participants will received hands-on experience with the equipment. Model mini-lessons are presented and suggestions for other lessons are discussed.
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12. What is Solar Imaging?
Using proper solar imaging techniques, students can view to solar disk and observe it for different phenomenon such as sunspots. The training session teachers participants how to use a device called the SunSpotter to view the solar disk and also use a 4" cassegrain telescope. Participants will conduct several solar activities that can be used in the classroom.
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13. How are loans of the equipment arranged?
After a school has one or more teachers qualified (teachers are qualified by completing the training session), the school may submit a loan agreement proposal to the MSI. The loan cost is $100 and entitles the school to borrow the STARLAB equipment up to 3 times in the academic year in a period of two weeks (10 school days). Multiple loan periods do not have to be contiguous. For example, a loan could be scheduled for 4 days in the fall; 3 days in the winter and 3 days in spring. All transportation is the responsibility of the school. Teachers may check for possible dates by going to the MSI website and examining the STARLAB Loan Calendar. This calendar lists all scheduled loans of the STARLAB. The dates are on a first come basis. No dates are confirmed until a completed loan agreement and payment of the loan fee has been received by the MSI. Payments can be by check or Purchase Order. The requested dates are confirmed as soon as the form and loan fee is received by the MSI. All forms are available on the MSI website.
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14. Can the curriculum be borrowed prior to picking up the STARLAB?
You can download all of the STARLAB Curriculum as PDF documents at http://www.starlab.com.
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15. Where can I learn more about the STARLAB?
Go the STARLAB website, www.starlab.com.
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If your question has not been answered, please send the question to Steve Zimmer for a quick response.
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