Starlab Visits Jefferson Primary School

Starlab’s visit to Jefferson Primary School allowed for a variety of unique lessons to be presented to students ranging from Universal Pre-Kindergarten through third grade. Starlab is an immersive, inflatable, portable planetarium.

“These students had an incredible opportunity to participate in a Starlab experience that brought science, storytelling, and culture to life in a truly engaging way,” Jefferson Principal Valerie Capitulo-Saide said. “Before entering the Starlab dome, students participated in classroom lessons about stars and constellations and then stepped inside the immersive dome to hear Native American stories connected to the stars in the sky.”

Students learned about the stories of the lizard, butterfly, dog, coyote, rabbit, porcupine, snake, thunderbird, and bear through the voices of special guest storytellers, including our school principal, security guard, neighborhood aide, and dedicated teachers who volunteered to make the experience meaningful and memorable for all.

Following the Starlab experience, students participated in follow-up activities that connected their learning to the real-world Artemis II space exploration mission, helping students make meaningful connections between storytelling, science, and modern space discovery.

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.”

“A very special thank you to Ms. [Julie] Dooher, Ms. [Janese] Pfeiffer, Ms. [Olivia] Russell and Science Coordinator Danielle Raguzin for planning such a creative and engaging learning experience for our students,” Ms. Capitulo-Saide said. “We also extend our appreciation to Assistant Superintendent Brenden Cusack for his continued support of innovative learning opportunities for our school community.”