- Overview
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K–2 -
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3–5 -
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6–8 -
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9–12 -
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Field Trip Overview
Welcome to the Shiras Planetarium! Our newly renovated dome is more than a window to the stars — it’s an immersive classroom where students can see science come alive, explore global cultures, visualize mathematics, and create art and stories inspired by the universe.
Each field trip is a 45-minute experience that combines:
- Fulldome films
- Customized Segments (live sky demos, Uniview datasets, short films, laser/music visualizations)
- Opportunities for cross-curricular connections across grade levels
While the planetarium is a natural home for Astronomy and Earth Science, our programs also support:
- English/ELA – myths, storytelling, creative writing, and rhetorical analysis
- Art & Music – color, sound, visual design, and performance
- Mathematics – patterns, fractals, and symmetry
- History & Social Studies – cultural astronomy, space exploration, and technology’s impact on society
- Technology & Engineering – satellites, artificial intelligence, and future space missions
Our goal is to make every student’s visit both memorable and meaningful, with programs aligned to Michigan K–12 Standards across Science (MSS), English Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, Arts, and Computer Science where appropriate.
Field trips are designed to be interactive, customizable, and age-appropriate, with distinct menus for:
- K–2 (early curiosity and storytelling)
- 3–5 (patterns and exploration)
- 6–8 (Earth systems, deeper science, cultural connections)
- 9–12 (rigorous science, advanced topics, cross-curricular experiences)
Whether your students are future scientists, artists, writers, or engineers, the Shiras Planetarium is a place where they can explore, imagine, and be inspired.
Field Trip Pricing
- In-District Schools (MAPS): $4 per student/guest
- Out-of-District Schools: $5 per student/guest
- Teachers, essential school staff, and adult chaperones: Free of charge
- Maximum Group Size: Up to 75 participants per session
Minimum Charges
- MAPS schools: $150 per group
- Out-of-district schools: $175 per group
Example Pricing
- A class of 20 MAPS students → $150 minimum charge applies
- A group of 60 out-of-district students → $300 (60 × $5)
- A combined trip of 70 MAPS students → $280 (70 × $4)
Payment Information
- Payment is due upon arrival for your field trip. Prepayment options are available.
- The planetarium is a cashless facility — we cannot accept cash or check.
- Accepted: digital payment methods and approved MAPS in-district payment processes.
- If your group requires a special payment arrangement, please contact us in advance so we can accommodate your needs.
Important Notes
Shiras Planetarium is launching its newly renovated system this year. While we strive to provide a consistent experience, pricing, programs, and scheduling options are subject to change. We are learning what works best for schools and reserve the right to adjust in order to deliver the highest-quality experience for your group.
Elementary (Grades K–2)
1. One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure – 🎥
Length: ~45 minutes (20 min film + Customized Segment)
Description: Big Bird, Elmo, and a friend from China explore the Sun, Moon, and stars, showing how the sky is shared around the world. A fun introduction to the patterns we see in the sky.
Standards:
- K-ESS1-1: Use observations of the Sun, Moon, and stars to describe patterns that can be predicted.
- 1-ESS1-1: Observe and describe seasonal patterns of sunrise and sunset.
- 1-ESS1-2: Make observations to identify predictable patterns of the Moon, Sun, and stars.
- 2-ESS1-1: Use information from observations to recognize that Earth events happen over time.
2. Larry Cat in Space – 🎥
Length: ~45 minutes (30 min film + Customized Segment)
Description: A playful cartoon cat travels to the Moon and learns about weightlessness, gravity, and exploration in a way that young children can understand.
Standards:
- PS2.A (Forces & Motion): Gravity pulls objects toward Earth.
- K-ESS1-1, 1-ESS1-1, 1-ESS1-2, 2-ESS1-1 (patterns of Sun, Moon, and stars).
3. Moles: What is Out There? – 🎥
Length: ~45 minutes (35 min film + Customized Segment)
Description: Plato the Mole ventures outside for the first time, discovering the Sun, Moon, and stars. A story-driven introduction to observing the sky.
Standards:
- K-ESS1-1, 1-ESS1-1, 1-ESS1-2, 2-ESS1-1 (patterns of Sun, Moon, and stars).
4. Legends of the Night Sky: Orion – 🎥
Length: ~45 minutes (25 min film + Customized Segment)
Description: A fun animated retelling of the myth of Orion the Hunter. Introduces constellations through storytelling, blending literacy with sky science.
Standards:
- K-ESS1-1: Use observations of the Sun, Moon, and stars to describe patterns.
- 1-ESS1-1: Observe and describe seasonal patterns of sunrise/sunset.
- ELA: Retelling myths and understanding stories.
5. Dome Discovery Shorts & Sky Tour
Length: ~45 minutes (15–20 min short films + Customized Segment)
Description: A flexible program combining short films or clips selected for your group — such as coral reef life, forest ecosystems, or playful weather visuals — with a live demo of the Sun, Moon, and stars. Connects young learners with animals, habitats, weather, and the natural world as well as the sky.
Standards:
- K-ESS2-1: Weather and the effects of sunlight on Earth.
- K-LS1-1: Animals and plants need food and water to survive.
- 2-LS4-1: Living things live in different places.
- K-ESS1-1 / 1-ESS1-2: Patterns of the Sun, Moon, and stars.
Elementary (Grades 3–5)
1. Tilt - 🎥
Length: ~45 minutes (25 min film + Customized Segment)
Description: Why do we have seasons? This playful show uses humor and visuals to explain Earth’s tilt, orbit, and the changes in sunlight that create our seasonal cycle.
Standards:
- 3-ESS2-1: Represent data to describe typical weather conditions and make claims about climate.
- 5-ESS1-2: Use data to graph and explain the Sun’s apparent motion and seasonal patterns.
2. Habitat Earth – 🎥
Length: ~45 minutes (25–30 min film + Customized Segment)
Description: Explore Earth’s interconnected ecosystems, from microscopic microbes to giant forests and human-built networks. A science-rich program about the balance of life on Earth.
Standards:
- 5-LS2-1: Develop a model to describe the movement of matter in food webs.
- 5-ESS3-1: Obtain and combine information on how communities use science to protect Earth’s resources.
3. Expedition Reef – 🎥
Length: ~45 minutes (27 min film + Customized Segment)
Description: Take a vivid dive beneath the waves to discover the colorful world of coral reefs, their biodiversity, and the challenges they face from climate change and human activity.
Standards:
- 3-LS4-4: Make a claim about how changes in an environment affect organisms.
- 5-LS2-1: Develop a model to describe movement of matter in ecosystems.
- 5-ESS3-1: Obtain and combine information on ways to protect Earth’s resources and environment.
4. Destination Solar System – 🎥
Length: ~45 minutes (35 min film + Customized Segment)
Description: Blast off on a futuristic space tourism adventure! Students join a lively tour guide and AI assistant on a cruise through our solar system, visiting planets and moons in dramatic style.
Standards:
- 5-ESS1-1: Support an argument that gravity keeps planets in orbit around the Sun.
- 5-PS2-1: Support an argument that gravity pulls objects toward the Earth.
5. Imagine the Moon – 🎥
Length: ~45 minutes (30 min film + Customized Segment)
Description: This show explores how the Moon has inspired human imagination and scientific discovery throughout history — from ancient myths to modern lunar exploration.
Standards:
- 5-ESS1-2: Graph and explain data on the daily changes of the Moon’s appearance.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.7: Draw on visual information to interpret and explain a text.
6. Dome Discovery Shorts & Sky Tour
Length: ~45 minutes (15–20 min short films + Customized Segment)
Description: A flexible program that combines short films or clips chosen for your group — such as seasonal weather, ecosystems, or space exploration topics — with a live demo of the current night sky. Perfect for classes looking for a broad science connection beyond a single theme.
Standards:
- 5-ESS3-1: Identify and explain ways communities use science to protect Earth’s resources.
- 3-ESS2-1: Describe typical weather conditions and how they vary by season.
- 3-LS4-4: Make a claim about how environmental change affects organisms.
- 5-ESS1-2: Use data to graph and explain the Sun’s apparent motion and seasonal patterns.
Middle School (Grades 6–8)
1. Fragile Planet – 🎥
Length: ~45 minutes (25 min film + Customized Segment)
Description: Journey from Earth into space to see what makes our home unique among the planets. Students compare Earth with Mars and Venus while exploring what makes life possible.
Standards:
- MS-ESS1-3: Analyze and interpret data to determine scale properties of objects in the solar system.
- MS-ESS3-4: Construct an argument that human activities have significantly altered Earth’s systems.
2. Earthquake: Evidence of a Restless Planet – 🎥
Length: ~45 minutes (26 min film + Customized Segment)
Description: Explore plate tectonics, seismic activity, and Earth’s dynamic crust. Stunning visuals of earthquakes and tsunamis illustrate Earth processes and natural hazards.
Standards:
- MS-ESS2-2: Construct an explanation based on evidence for how geoscience processes have changed Earth’s surface.
- MS-ESS3-2: Analyze data on natural hazards to forecast future catastrophic events.
3. Force Five – 🎥
Length: ~45 minutes (22 min film + Customized Segment)
Description: Experience the power of nature’s extreme storms — tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards, and more. This show emphasizes weather hazards and the science of severe storms.
Standards:
- MS-ESS2-5: Collect data to provide evidence for how motion and complex interactions of air masses result in weather conditions.
- MS-ESS3-2: Analyze natural hazards and their impacts on human populations.
4. Destination Solar System – 🎥
Length: ~45 minutes (35 min film + Customized Segment)
Description: Students board a “space cruise” through the solar system, visiting planets and moons with a lively tour guide and AI assistant. Blends humor with rich solar system science.
Standards:
- MS-ESS1-3: Use data to determine scale properties of objects in the solar system.
- MS-ESS1-2: Develop and use a model to describe the Earth-Moon-Sun system.
5. Spark: The Universe in Us – 🎥
Length: ~45 minutes (25 min film + Customized Segment)
Description: This poetic, visually rich show connects the stars to our own bodies, explaining how the elements that make up life were created in stellar processes.
Standards:
- MS-PS1-1: Develop models to describe the atomic composition of simple molecules and extended structures.
- MS-ESS1-1: Develop and use a model of the Earth-Sun-Moon system to describe cyclic patterns.
- HS-ESS1-6 (extension): Apply scientific reasoning to show that nuclear fusion in stars creates elements.
6. Dome Discovery Program (Custom Option)
Length: ~45 minutes (short films + Customized Segment)
Description: A flexible program that combines short films or clips chosen for your group — such as climate change, Earth systems, or astronomy shorts — with a live demo using our system to explore current science topics. Perfect for schools looking for cross-curricular connections in environmental science, space, or technology.
Standards:
- MS-ESS1-1: Develop and use a model of the Earth-Sun-Moon system to describe patterns of lunar phases and eclipses.
- MS-ESS2-6: Develop and use a model to describe cycling of Earth’s materials.
- MS-ESS3-3: Apply scientific principles to design methods for monitoring and minimizing human impact.
High School (Grades 9–12)
High School (Grades 9–12)
1. Fragile Planet – 🎥
Length: ~45 minutes (25 min film + Customized Segment)
Description: Compare Earth with Mars and Venus to see what makes our planet unique and habitable. Highlights atmosphere, magnetic field, and conditions for life.
Standards:
- HS-ESS1-3: Communicate scientific ideas about the way stars, planetary systems, and Earth form and interact.
- HS-ESS2-2: Analyze geoscience data to make claims about Earth’s processes.
- HS-ESS3-6: Use computational models to illustrate Earth’s systems and sustainability challenges.
2. Earthquake: Evidence of a Restless Planet – 🎥
Length: ~45 minutes (26 min film + Customized Segment)
Description: Plate tectonics, seismic activity, and the forces that shape our planet. Includes vivid earthquake and tsunami simulations.
Standards:
- HS-ESS2-1: Develop a model to illustrate how Earth’s internal and surface processes operate at different spatial and temporal scales.
- HS-ESS3-1: Construct an explanation based on evidence for how natural hazards affect human activity.
- HS-ESS2-2: Analyze geoscience data to make claims about Earth’s plate tectonic processes.
3. Force Five – 🎥
Length: ~45 minutes (22 min film + Customized Segment)
Description: Explores the science behind tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards, and extreme storms, emphasizing weather hazards and climate impacts.
Standards:
- HS-ESS2-4: Use models to describe how variations in the flow of energy into and out of Earth’s systems result in climate change.
- HS-ESS3-5: Analyze geoscience data and results from climate models to make evidence-based forecasts of climate change impacts.
4. The Sun: Our Living Star – 🎥
Length: ~45 minutes (30 min film + Customized Segment)
Description: Examines our Sun’s structure, nuclear fusion, and its critical role in sustaining life on Earth.
Standards:
- HS-ESS1-1: Develop a model to illustrate the role of nuclear fusion in the Sun’s life cycle.
- HS-PS3-3: Design, build, and refine a device that works within given constraints by converting one form of energy into another.
- HS-ESS1-6: Apply scientific reasoning to show that nuclear fusion in stars produces elements.
5. Destination Mars: The New Frontier – 🎥
Length: ~45 minutes (30 min film + Customized Segment)
Description: Explores human space exploration efforts, rocket engineering, and Mars as the next frontier. Includes International Space Station connections.
Standards:
- HS-ESS1-3: Communicate ideas about the role of gravity in planetary motion.
- HS-ETS1-2: Design solutions to engineering challenges using scientific principles.
6. Back to the Moon for Good – 🎥
Length: ~45 minutes (25 min film + Customized Segment)
Description: Tells the story of the Google Lunar XPRIZE and the race to return to the Moon with private spacecraft, blending history and innovation.
Standards:
- HS-ESS1-3: Explain the relationships among Earth, the Moon, and the solar system.
- HS-ETS1-1: Analyze a major global challenge to specify criteria and constraints for engineering solutions.
7. Spark: The Universe in Us – 🎥
Length: ~45 minutes (25 min film + Customized Segment)
Description: Explores how the atoms in our bodies were forged in the cores of stars, connecting cosmic processes to human life.
Standards:
- HS-PS1-8: Develop models to illustrate the process of nuclear fusion and decay.
- HS-ESS1-6: Apply scientific reasoning to show that nuclear fusion in stars produces elements.
8. Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity – 🎥
Length: ~45 minutes (25 min film + Customized Segment)
Description: A thrilling journey into black hole science, relativity, and spacetime. Features simulations of stellar collapse and the formation of black holes.
Standards:
- HS-ESS1-1: Use Kepler’s laws to describe orbits and the role of gravity.
- HS-PS2-4: Use mathematical representations of Newton’s Law of Gravitation to describe and predict motion.
9. Dark Universe – 🎥
Length: ~45 minutes (30 min film + Customized Segment)
Description: Explore modern cosmology, dark matter, and dark energy to understand the universe’s structure and fate. Narrated by Neil deGrasse Tyson.
Standards:
- HS-ESS1-2: Construct explanations based on evidence for the Big Bang Theory.
- HS-PS4-2: Evaluate questions about wave/particle duality and light.
10. Hot and Energetic Universe – 🎥
Length: ~45 minutes (30 min film + Customized Segment)
Description: Uses X-ray astronomy to explore black holes, galaxy clusters, and high-energy cosmic phenomena.
Standards:
- HS-ESS1-2: Construct explanations for cosmic structures.
- HS-PS4-5: Communicate information about electromagnetic radiation across the spectrum.
11. Habitat Earth – 🎥
Length: ~45 minutes (25–30 min film + Customized Segment)
Description: Examines Earth’s ecosystems, networks, and the connections between humans and the natural world.
Standards:
- HS-LS2-6: Evaluate the claims, evidence, and reasoning that the cycling of matter and flow of energy in ecosystems maintain stability.
- HS-ESS3-4: Evaluate or refine a technological solution that reduces impacts of human activities on Earth systems.
12. Expedition Reef – 🎥
Length: ~45 minutes (27 min film + Customized Segment)
Description: Dives into coral reef ecosystems, exploring their biodiversity, threats, and conservation efforts.
Standards:
- HS-LS2-6: Analyze the role of biodiversity in ecosystems.
- HS-ESS3-4: Apply scientific principles to design methods for monitoring and reducing human impacts.
13. Always Above – 🎥
Length: ~45 minutes (24 min film + Customized Segment)
Description: Shows how satellites are woven into modern life, from communication and navigation to weather forecasting.
Standards:
- HS-ESS3-6: Use computational models to illustrate the role of satellites in Earth systems.
- HS-ETS1-3: Evaluate technological solutions for global challenges.
14. Creative Writing in the Dome (English/Art)
Length: ~45 minutes
Description: Students experience abstract visuals, fractals, and natural imagery projected on the dome, then respond with poetry, prose, or journaling. This session will be customized per session.
Standards:
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-12.3: Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences.
- Visual Arts Standards: Respond to and interpret artistic media.
15. Storytelling Under the Stars (ELA/History)
Length: ~45 minutes
Option A: Two Small Pieces of Glass – 🎥
- Film (20 min): Students learn how telescopes have helped us observe the sky and deepen our understanding of the stars.
- Live Segment (10–15 min): Explore constellations in Uniview as seen by different cultures (Greek, Ojibwe, Maya, Chinese).
- Classroom Connection: Writing prompt: “Imagine you lived long ago without modern science. Looking at the stars, what story would you tell to explain them?” Students create their own constellation myth, short story, or poem. Assignment is introduced in the session, and rubric is provided and teachers extend lesson after the visit.
Option B: Legends of the Night Sky: Orion – 🎥
- Film (25 min): A lively, animated retelling of Orion’s myth introduces constellations through storytelling.
- Live Segment (10–15 min): See Orion in today’s sky and compare how different cultures interpreted the same stars using Uniview star cultures.
- Classroom Connection: Research assignment: Each student/group selects a constellation, investigates myths from at least two different cultures, and presents a comparison of how the stories reflect each culture’s values. Rubric is provided and teachers extend lesson after the visit.
Standards:
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.2: Analyze theme development in literature.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-12.3: Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences.
- HS-ESS1-1: Use observations of celestial patterns to connect cultural and scientific perspectives.
16. Art & Light: Visualizing Music (Art/Music)
Length: ~45 minutes
Description: Dome laser and visualization show exploring color theory, abstraction, and visual storytelling.
Standards:
- National Core Arts Standards: Analyze, interpret, and respond to visual and performing arts.
17. Math in Motion: Patterns of the Universe (Math/Art)
Length: ~45 minutes
Description: A live dome program exploring fractals, Fibonacci spirals, tilings, and symmetry, with laser and visualization art.
Standards:
- HS Geometry/Algebra Standards: Apply mathematical concepts to artistic and natural patterns.
- Mathematical Practices: Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
18. The Unknown Between (Art/Science film) – 🎥
Length: ~45 minutes (short film + Customized Segment)
Description: A poetic, artistic exploration of space and human perception, designed to provoke reflection and interpretation.
Standards:
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.11-12.7: Analyze multiple interpretations of artistic work.
- Visual Arts Standards: Interpret meaning in media art.
19. We Choose Space – 🎥
Length: ~45 minutes (25 min film + Customized Segment)
Description: Focuses on the history of human spaceflight and JFK’s famous “We choose to go to the moon” speech.
Standards:
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.6: Analyze an author’s use of rhetoric.
- HS-ETS1-1: Analyze global challenges for engineering solutions.
20. AI Think, Therefore AI Am (Technology/Philosophy)
Length: ~30–40 minutes (short film + discussion/demo)
Description: A short dome film exploring artificial intelligence, ethics, and self-awareness, paired with guided discussion.
Standards:
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.11-12.1: Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content.
- ISTE Standards: Analyze the societal and ethical implications of technology.
21. Dome Discovery Program (Custom Option)
Length: ~45 minutes (short films + Customized Segment)
Description: A flexible program that combines short films or clips chosen for your group — such as climate change, environmental systems, astronomy, or technology topics — with live demos using our system. This option allows teachers to customize content to meet class goals, blending science with art, humanities, or current issues.
Possible Standards:
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.11-12.7: Integrate technical information expressed visually with text.
- HS-ESS3-1: Analyze geoscience data to forecast natural hazards.
- HS-ESS3-4: Evaluate or refine technological solutions that reduce human impacts.
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