K-5 School Groups
We are currently offering two different shows for grades K-5. Details about each of the shows are given below. With these shows the students will also be given the opportunity to ask questions and see a view of the current night sky where constellations, stars and planets will be shown. The total show will last about 45 minutes but plan an hour for seating and visiting the gift shop. This is a field trip that should not be missed. The price for the show is $3 per person and the Planetarium has 87 seats. A single check for the whole group is preferred and can be made out to TAMU-Commerce Planetarium. Shows can be presented any time from 8 am to 2 pm Monday through Friday . The planetarium also has a gift shop with assorted souvenirs and fun items to remember your trip by.
Kaluoka’hina, the Enchanted Reef
“Kaluoka'hina, The Enchanted Reef” transports the viewer to a tropical reef, a one-of-a-kind world: colorful and foreign, full of adventure and danger, riddles and mysteries, old legends and myths... a world inhabited by creatures that are humorous and courageous, lovable and bizarre, charming and dangerous.
This planetarium show which is geared toward a younger audience follows Jake, a young sawfish, and his buddy Shorty, a lively reef fish, on their adventures as they try to restore the magic of their home Kaluoka'hina. Their only lead is an ancient legend that tells of touching the moon... But how is a fish supposed to touch the moon? This is just one of the intriguing puzzles that Jake and Shorty will have to solve on their most exciting adventure ever.
The spectacular underwater scenery, playful characters and totally immersive environment of the planetarium makes this show a must see.
View Trailer (QuickTime 13.3 mb)
Kaluoka'hina Teacher Guide
Larry Cat In Space (K-2nd Graders)
Larry Cat In Space is a playful, imaginative cartoon presentation about an inquisitive cat who takes an imaginary trip to the Moon. Larry's adventure begins aboard the Space Plane which takes him to space station Freedom orbiting the Earth where he feels the effects of weightlessness and begins to understand the relationship between the Earth, Sun and Moon . Larry then travels to the Moon dons a cat space suit and ventures outside. This fun show is also very educational and great for introducing youngsters to the planetarium environment. Larry Cat In Space is primarily targeted for pre-K-2nd grade.
Secret of the Cardboard Rocket (3rd-5th Graders)
Climb aboard a magical cardboard rocket with two young adventurers,
Marcus and Bonnie, and experience a breathtaking, up-close look at each
of our solar system’s planets with guidance from Astronomy Book
- a character personified by a wise, kind old man. Spectacular
views abound in this fun yet educational view of the solar system. Great
for grades 2-5.
View Trailer
Legends of the Night Sky: Orion
Legends of the Night Sky: Orion takes you on an imaginative fun-filled look at the great hunter of the winter sky, the constellation Orion. Immerse yourself in the cartoon like images and learn about Orion and the Greek Mythology surrounding these constellations in the night sky. Recommended for grades K-4.
Educational Guide
View Trailer (MPEG)
The Problem with Pluto (4th grade and up)
Is Pluto a planet? Join Lucy on a birthday voyage to the outer edges of our solar system and discover for yourself if Pluto should be classified as a planet. Along the voyage, Lucy visits with her friends who are scattered among some of the other planets and is surprised by the ghost of Percival Lowell, the astronomer who in the early 1900’s began the search for the elusive “Planet X.” Percy and Lucy debate about how Pluto is different from the other planets and the difficulties of defining just what makes a planet. A great show for the middle-schoolers.
View Trailer (Windows Media File)
Northeast Texas Children’s Museum
For those wanting to make a longer stay, consider visiting the Northeast
Texas Children’s Museum while in Commerce. The planetarium and
the Children’s Museum are giving a special price of $6 per
person to attend both on the same day. This is a $1 per person discount
from the regular prices. The Children’s Museum has over 28 exhibits
from giant bubbles to a real fire truck. For information about the
Children’s museum visit their web page at : www.netxcm.org or call
them at 903-886-6055.
