Education Programs

This lesson introduces students to patterns in the night sky caused by Earth's rotation and revolution, including the apparent movement of stars, visibility of constellations in different seasons, and the special role of Polaris. Students also explore how distance affects a star’s brightness and why stars remain in the sky during the day, even when hidden by sunlight.​

Students investigate how the Moon’s phases change over time due to its orbit and our view of its sunlit surface. The lesson uses visual models to explain lunar and solar eclipses, emphasizing the importance of orbital alignment and tilt, and connects to broader space science by exploring eclipses on other worlds.​

This lesson explores how Earth's tilt and orbit cause seasonal changes in daylight, temperature, and Sun angle. Students examine local sky observations, polar extremes, and even Uranus' unique tilt to deepen their understanding of seasonal variation and Earth's place in space.​

Students explore how gravity and inertia work together to shape planetary orbits, using models and simulations to visualize these forces. The lesson also highlights the scale of the solar system, unique planetary features, and the potential for life on icy moons beyond Earth.​

Students explore the natural world around them in story-book style, learning how the Sun gives us heat and light to help things grow, the plants and animals Earth supports, and ways the sky moves water around the planet to help things grow. Imagery of animals and seasons found locally in Utah are discussed, providing a foundation to begin learning about our planet.​

Students investigate patterns of sunlight and the phases of the Moon by examining the relationships between the Sun, Earth, and Moon. The lesson emphasizes the role of Earth’s rotation and distance in determining brightness, apparent motion, and observable sky patterns.​

Students explore how Earth's systems interact over time through real-time data on earthquakes, plate tectonics, and volcanic activity. The lesson supports investigations into geosphere dynamics and energy flow, building a foundation for understanding Earth’s structure and ongoing changes.​

This program explores the Sun’s role in driving Earth’s weather and climate systems by examining solar energy distribution, atmospheric circulation, and biosphere changes. Students use real data to connect heating patterns with regional climate and weather variability.​

This show introduces students to planets and moons in the solar system, emphasizing differences in size, distance, and orbital motion. Visual comparisons and planetary data help students grasp concepts of scale, gravity, and the dynamic nature of our solar neighborhood.​

Our understanding of the Solar System is the result of decades of exploration by explorers, most of whom have been robotic. Many of these missions are still making new discoveries, while others are currently speeding towards their destinations or preparing to be launched. Students will explore a variety of these spacecraft, the technologies they use to explore the planets, and what we hope to discover.​

This presentation explores the challenges and innovations of human space exploration, focusing on environments like Earth orbit, the Moon, and Mars. Students learn about mission design, life support systems, and real-world programs like the ISS and NASA’s CHAPEA habitat, making connections to Earth systems and the broader solar system.​