STEM TRAIL Center prepares for "out of this world" planetarium reopening
"The STEM TRAIL Center is so excited to share our new space with the Omaha community in 2024."
With new furniture and equipment ordered and renovations ongoing, the Mallory Kountze Planetarium is preparing for its 2024 reopening.
A popular Omaha attraction since it opened in 1987, the planetarium historically saw about 10,000 visitors per year through a combination of educational programs for schools and private groups as well as public events. The planetarium, which is located in the Durham Science Center on UNO's Dodge campus, closed down during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Krista Testin, Afterschool and Planetarium Coordinator for UNO's STEM TRAIL Center, said she's excited for the numerous improvements now underway at the planetarium. The STEM TRAIL Center serves as the administrative home for the planetarium.
"The STEM TRAIL Center is so excited to share our new space with the Omaha community in 2024," she said. "Not only have the furniture, equipment, and interior been updated, but we've added some exciting new educational capabilities."
The programming model that will be used in the planetarium is an innovative, nationally recognized "interactive immersion" approach, which was developed at the STEM TRAIL Center. Unlike previous programming, which was severely limited, the new programming will rely on both pre-recorded content and live interaction. UNO students will also have the opportunity to present and operate shows.
"The new programs we're getting have the potential to be fully interactive," Testin explained. "Presenters can fly to astronomical objects, fly around objects, even 'land' on objects. A presenter can take viewers around the solar system and beyond, and audience members can even guide the presenter toward specific objects they'd like to see. It's going to feel like a whole new planetarium."
Additionally, Testin said the planetarium's shows won't be limited to astronomy--the new programs offer immersive tours on other STEM topics, like the human body and ocean habitats.
The planetarium will see a number of other upgrades, including a 4K resolution digital projection system, improved sound, and new furniture specially designed to support interactive education, including modular tables and chairs that can be rearranged as needed. Testin said that, once complete, the planetarium will be one of the few in the country to have this modular arrangement capability.
As part of the renovation, which is funded by the ONE STEM community project, the planetarium will also include a portable dome and projector, which can be transported to various locations and set up in large rooms, like school gyms.
"We'll get to bring the planetarium experience directly to the schools now, so we can reach even more aspiring scientists," Testin said.
The planetarium will be available first to private groups this summer, including UNO's Aim for the Stars camp. Testin said public shows will likely begin during the fall semester.