2017-2018 Scout information for Elgin U-46 Planetarium visits The Elgin U-46 Planetarium offers presentations from Brownies and Wolf Cubs and up to earn their respective badges, electives, belt loops and awards in astronomy. We do not sell badges; we create experiences that allow a scout to learn about astronomy. Scout Session I Program time: 1.5 hours, 6:00-7:30pm For grades 2-3 including Brownies (no daisies) and Wolf and Bear Cubs (no Tigers) This program briefly outlines the history of the building on Watch St, the Elgin National Watch Company Observatory (1909) and attached planetarium (1963). Scouts will learn how to use a star clock to find a few constellations in the night sky and also get a viewing of the entire night sky for the season. A link to the star clock is on the observatory/planetarium section at u-46.org. Please bring a cut out star clock that you made at home or a meeting to use in the program. The star CLOCK is a simplified version of a star map using only the northern sky. It requires scissors and a brad fastener. This program may feature a full dome show (video projected on entire dome) titled either, Magic Tree House, Space Mission that is based on the chapter book series of the same name or Earth, Moon and Sun. You can find more information on either show searching online for moreheadplanetarium.org. Scout Session II Program time: 1.5 hours, 6:00-7:30pm For grades 4 and up, starting at Girl Scout Juniors and Boy Scout Webelos Girl and boy scouts are welcome at this show that details the history of the Elgin National Watch Company Observatory (1909) and attached planetarium (1963). A tour of the observatory dome and transit telescope is included. Scouts also learn how to read a star map to find constellations in all directions of the night sky and practice it under the dome. Please make a star wheel (same as a star chart or planisphere) at home or a meeting before your visit. They are available at a link on the U-46 website with the scout information. We will focus on the constellations and planets visible in the sky tonight along with their nightly and seasonal movement. I will have some star maps/wheels to borrow at the program. For older scouts the full dome planetarium show, Two Small Pieces of Glass or Galileo: Power of the Telescope may be presented. Both cover the history of the telescope and how it works along with exploring the famous astronomers and discoveries over the years. Astronomy Merit Badge workshops for older boy scouts are available in Nov. and Feb. See the website for details.
Reservations: Go to U-46.org website under District Information Student Learning -Observatory/Planetarium and go to Group/class Reservations to fill out the form to get registered. Click on the date your troop or Pack wants to attend. You will receive an email confirmation. Please have one adult contact for the troop or pack register online. Seating is limited and the program is popular. One adult per 4-8 scouts is appropriate. No siblings/strollers please. Please notify me if you have registered and realize you will not be able to attend. The sessions frequently sell out and your vacant seats can be filled from the wait list. Dates for 2017-2018: Note there are multiple troops possible at each show/program. Scout Session I 6:00-7:30pm (grades 2-3) Wed. 10/18/17 Tues. 4/10/18 Scout Session II 6:00-7:30pm (grades 4 and up) Admission: Wed. 10/25/17 Tues. 4/17/18 $3.00 per person, one adult per 4-8 scouts is appropriate and they are free*. Cash or checks accepted; no credit cards. Please make out one check per troop payable to U-46 Planetarium or cash payment with total amount for the troop. I will take payment either at the beginning or end of the program. Receipt available upon request. I do not have an attendant to track individual payments. If for any reason School District U-46 closes, the Planetarium Scout Session will also be cancelled. *Due to the popularity of the scout programs, please limit your attendees to scouts and an appropriate number of leaders, no siblings. Please check the U-46 Observatory/Planetarium section of the website for public family nights. Children age 5 and under not recommended at planetarium sessions. Contact info: Planetarium: 312 Watch St. Elgin, IL 60120 (This is NOT the mailing address) Mailing address: Peggy Hernandez, Science/Planetarium Office 355 E. Chicago St. Elgin, IL 60120 Phone: (847) 888-5324 or peggyhernandez@u-46.org Parking: Free at National St. and Raymond St. No parking on Watch St. or Heritage Manor private lot
For the youngest scouts use this simplified star clock. You will need scissors and a brad fastener.
Cut out the disk of stars. Cut out the star wheel with times. Set the star disk inside/under the star wheel folding back the white edge to act as a sleeve or holder for the disk. Staple/tape the sleeve to hold the disk.