Take off for stellar adventures! The Science Museum of Virginia's aerospace education programs are presented throughout the commonwealth providing an overview of aerospace science to schools, libraries and special events. An aerospace educator leads your group on an odyssey to the worlds beyond the Earth.
Space Traveler
Climb aboard Space Traveler, a 53-foot trailer, to experience 20 hands-on exhibits. Discover "Traveling in Space," "Living in Space" and "Space Exploration." Launch a rocket sled, experiment with a gyroscope, check your weight on Mars and much more. Space Traveler accommodates up to 25 persons at a time.
StarLab
Gather inside the portable StarLab planetarium to explore the cosmos. This one-hour presentation is appropriate for grades 3-8. It requires an unobstructed space 21 feet in diameter and 11 feet tall, and can accommodate 25 persons at a time.
StarLab programs currently offered
- The Night Sky
- Using Greek mythology and its naming of the constellations, students are introduced to the night sky. This program includes discussion on planetary motion, phases of the moon, tides and seasons.
Classroom Workshops
These 50-minute interactive classroom workshops provide an opportunity for hands-on exploration. (Grades 3-8)
- Stars and Constellation (Grades K–2)
- Explore the wonders and drama of the sky.
- Weather Wizards (Grades K–2) New!
- Learn how climate changes affect living things and land surfaces.
- Forces of Flight (Grades 3-5)
- Explore Bernoulli's Principle and the basic forces of flight: lift, gravity, thrust and drag.
- The Weather Engine (Grades 3-5)
- Learn about the forces that affect weather, including how and why weather changes.
- Rocket Propulsion (Grades 4-8)
- Experiments illustrate Newton's Laws of Motion. Learn how the second law and third law apply to air and space travel.
- Aerospace Structures (Grades 6-8)
- Apply the same principles that govern the construction of aircraft and spacecraft structures.
For more information about Space Travels, call 804-864-1423, or email spacetravels@smv.org.
