Rostraver students to get planetarium experience
By EMILY BENNETT DILULLO
ebennett@yourmvi.com
Children spend a lot of time with their heads in the clouds, and thanks to a visit from the Spectroscopy Society of Pittsburgh, Rostraver Elementary students will have a chance to take a look into the deepest parts of the atmosphere right inside their school gym.
Students from fourth through sixth grades will take turns today stepping into an inflatable planetarium where the sky, constellations and individual stars and planets will be projected onto the inside of the dark, blow-up observatory for viewing.
“This is obviously something I wouldn’t be able to do just in my regular class period,” said Jennifer Barkey, a fourth grade science teacher at Belle Vernon Area School Board. “It’s something that’s totally different.”
Barkey, who has taught science at BVA since 2007, said the inflatable planetarium experience is something unique –– and very valuable — for her students.
The Spectroscopy Society of Pittsburgh is a nonprofit organization with a mission toward expanding science education in Western Pennsylvania.
The society made a visit to Rostraver Township two years ago, and Barkey said she was blown away by the presentation –– especially by the capability to track the orientation of the planets and stars.
“It’s up to date and in real time,” Barkey said. “The kids are super engaged whenever they’re watching. If they want to look at what Jupiter looks likes right now, they can do that.”
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