The Universe Comes to Washington School

Washington Primary School students recently embarked on an unforgettable journey through the cosmos without ever leaving the school grounds, thanks to the portable planetarium known as Star Lab.

Facilitated by teachers Jeffrey Dicker and Leticia Cuthbertson, this immersive, inflatable planetarium brought the wonders of the night sky right into our building. Inside the darkened dome, students had an opportunity to discover the magic of the constellations. The youngsters learned how to navigate the simulated night sky, identifying major stars and tracing the famous patterns used by early astronomers.

“The stars truly came alive as they listened to the fascinating Greek mythology and legendary stories that ancient cultures used to explain the heavens,” Washington Principal Dr. Michelle Richards said. “To top it all off, the children watched in awe as the projector simulated the Earth's rotation, showing exactly how the stars and constellations appear to travel across our night sky from dusk until dawn.”

It was a truly out-of-this-world experience that sparked curiosity and left Washington Primary School students reaching for the stars!

Starlab’s mission is “to empower scientific literacy by inspiring curiosity, promoting lifelong learning and fostering a deep appreciation for our universe and everything in it.”

Huntington UFSD has utilized Starlab for decades. It has allowed students to study and explore “from the furthest corners of our universe to ancient civilizations and everything in between. The portable learning dome and projection system allows for stunning 360-degree learning experiences.”