Tuesday June 4, 2019

Start TimeEnd TimeEventLocation
8:00 AM5:00 PMVendor Setup in Exhibit HallHotel/Exhibit Hall
9:00 AM4:00 PMMini-LIPSHotel (Karrie Berglund)
1:00 PM5:00 PMCheck-in & RegistrationHotel/Front Lobby
4:00 PM5:30 PMSEPA Council MeetingSCSM/Planetarium Office
4:00 PM5:30 PMMAPS Board Meeting Part 1SCSM/Huger Room
5:30 PM6:00 PMNew Member WelcomeSCSM/Vista Room
6:00 PM7:30 PMOpening ReceptionSCSM/Vista Room
7:30 PM9:00 PMExplore Museum
Gift Shop Open		SCSM/Galleries/CME
7:30 PM9:00 PMMAPS Board Meeting Part 2SCSM/Huger Room
9:00 PM11:00 PMDome Session 1SCSM/Planetarium

Wednesday June 5, 2019

Start TimeEnd TimeEventLocation
8:30 AM3:00 PMRegistrationHotel/Front Lobby
8:30 AM9:00 AMFormal WelcomeHotel/Salon E+F
9:00 AM9:15 AMPaper Session 1
The Shadow Knows! - Patty Seaton
When you are working with 40-year-old equipment, you need to be innovative when it comes to working with modern science standards. For example, how do you meet the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) 5th grade Performance Expectation (PE) 5-ESS1-2: Represent data in graphical displays to reveal patterns of daily changes in length and direction of shadows? I'll share the innovative solution that the Howard B. Owens Science Center came up with to actually demonstrate shadows in the planetarium. 		Hotel/Salon E+F
9:15 AM9:30 AMPaper Session 1
Using the Giant Protractor to Understand the Seasons - Mark Percy
We use the planetarium to teach students that the two key factors responsible for our Earthly seasons are the duration and the angle of insolation. Our full dome video system is capable of demonstrating the Sun’s daily path including a history trail for each of the solstices and equinoxes. However, students struggle with understanding what the Sun’s altitude has to do with the intensity. Our newly invented giant protractor offers a very effective method to help kids understand how the Sun’s angle affects the intensity of the energy that reaches the ground.		Hotel/Salon E+F
9:30 AM9:45 AMPaper Session 1
Physics and Philosophy, an Interdisciplinary Presentation - Amie Gallagher
Science and the humanities both have a dynamic tension between discovery and creativity. Working with an engineering professor and two philosophy professors, we shared poetry, art, and space science history to bring this connection to light as part of the college's Seminars in Science series.		Hotel/Salon E+F
9:45 AM10:00 AMPaper Session 1
Weather "Magic" Under the Dome - Neil Pifer
Live weather demonstrations are a great way to engage learners of all ages in dispelling misconceptions and teaching basic weather concepts! These weather "magic tricks" were done under our dome with 2nd, 5th, and 7th graders over the past 3 years. We paired this live content with weather full dome content for a 1 hour class.		Hotel/Salon E+F
10:00 AM10:15 AMPaper Session 1
Family Experiences During a Live Interactive Planetarium Program - W Keith Turner
As part of my dissertation requirements with the University of Wyoming I am investigating the experiences of families during a live interactive planetarium program. I hope to find insight into how interactive I am; and potentially lend advice to future interactive presenters on show design to maximize interaction.		Hotel/Salon E+F
10:15 AM10:30 AMPaper Session 1
"Herding Cats": Integration of Volunteer Resources Between Astronomy Clubs and Planetariums – William Tinker
Because of limited budgets and staff, many planetarium directors must rely on the use of volunteers to provide sufficient coverage for public events. This talk will discuss the successful integration of volunteer resources between the Treasure Coast Astronomical Society and Indian River State College's Hallstrom Planetarium and the ways that both organizations benefit from the experience.		Hotel/Salon E+F
10:30 AM11:00 AMBeverage BreakHotel/Exhibit Hall
10:30 AM12:30 PMExhibit Hall/Show DomeHotel/Exhibit Hall
12:30 PM1:30 PMVendor Lunch
Speaker: Tom Falvey		Hotel/Greystone
1:45 PM2:00 PMPaper Session 2A
Girl Scouts and the Planetarium - Amie Gallagher
Girl Scouts USA have come out with several Space Science badges. Help your local Girl Scouts complete some of their requirements.		Hotel/Salon E
2:00 PM2:15 PMPaper Session 2A
How Birds Navigate When They Migrate – Carole Holmberg
Birds migrate in different ways: some use landmarks, some use the Sun, some use Earth's magnetic field, and a few species that fly at night use the stars. Learn about the various ways that birds migrate and how a planetarium was used to prove that Indigo Buntings find their way by suing the movement of the stars.		Hotel/Salon E
2:15 PM2:30 PMPaper Session 2A
Deep Space – An Astronomy Education Course for Adults – SOLD OUT -- Bob Bondadurer
As we observe in our domes, many adult visitors want the Planetarium experience to go further. To meet this demand, we recently offered a 5-week course called Deep Space. The class met for 2 hours one night a week. It sold out in a few weeks and was a nice revenue generator. This paper will explore the details of that class and how it might work in your Planetarium.		Hotel/Salon E
2:30 PM2:45 PMPaper Session 2A
Using Your Dome - Kerri Kiker
Portable planetarium equipment is an investment. But while you pay for the equipment you gain marketable knowledge about the product. We have put our new dome to work in an effort fully capitalize on our investment. I will be sharing the services we have started to offer and would love for everyone to share ways they have used their domes.		Hotel/Salon E
2:45 PM3:00 PMPaper Session 2A
Low-Budget Upgrade to the LED Era – Tim Collins
For years, those of us that use StarLab have seen the extreme limitations of the star projector and the halogen bulb at the center. However, there is a DIY method to modernizing your presentation. A patented process is under development in Buffalo, NY and we are trying to make it affordable for all, but in the meantime, is there something you can do to enhance your audience experience.		Hotel/Salon E
1:45 PM2:00 PMPaper Session 2B
Science Fiction and Fantasy Films in Planetariums – Philip Groce & Jack Dunn
This is a paper on how to use Science Fiction Films as part of your Planetarium programming. It includes the following:
  • A list of films and sources that do well in a planetarium environment.
  • Examples of how each film is introduced by a knowledgeable film buff who can provide a perspective and context on the films including:
    • It’s cultural importance
    • It’s scientific accuracy or lack of accuracy
    • Other movies and television shows that were influenced by this film.
Like Laser shows, having a science fiction series in your planetarium earns extra revenue and gets people to your planetarium who normally never visit a planetarium.		Hotel/Salon F
2:00 PM2:15 PMPaper Session 2B
Do You Ever Apologize For Your Visuals? – Stephen Dubois
Are there quirks or poor graphics within your fulldome programs that prevent you from telling your constellation stories as you would like? What sorts of methods have you used to cope with inconsistencies and disconnections between your intent and your actual projected images?		Hotel/Salon F
2:15 PM2:30 PMPaper Session 2B
Blender 2.8: The Most User-Friendly Blender Ever – Ron Proctor
Blender is a free, open-source 3D software and now, thanks to a major user interface update, it's easier to use than ever before! I'll present an overview of the software, discuss how this free software keeps developing, and I'll point out some educational resources to help you get started!		Hotel/Salon F
2:30 PM2:45 PMPaper Session 2B
Laser Nerds Part I: Lasing Where You Live – Ken Moore
Ken and Jack do their lasering in their living rooms. What Laser Nerds do is not for sale. We just do it for fun. Fortunately, the technology has advanced so much this is far more doable today. And we can show some of the programming tricks and demonstrate that if we can do it in our living rooms – you can do it in your dome.		Hotel/Salon F
2:45 PM3:00 PMPaper Session 2B
Laser Nerds Part II: Lasing Where You Live – Jack Dunn
Jack's part in the laser nerds is a tribute to 1969. He'll talk about how this piece evolved for showing to his undergraduate college alumni. We know you'll be talking this year about the 50th anniversary of the Moon landing. 1969 was also an amazing year for music. Let's put it in perspective and it will even celebrate Apollo 11. Understand what the Laser Nerds will demonstrate are not programs for sale. Just things we do for fun.		Hotel/Salon F
3:00 PM4:00 PMExhibit Hall/Show DomeHotel/Exhibit Hall
4:00 PM4:15 PMPaper Session 3
The Big Five-Oh – Dave Hostetter
The Lafayette Science Museum will celebrate its own 50th anniversary this year along with the Apollo 11 50th anniversary. This is a look at our plans for both.		Hotel/Salon E+F
4:15 PM4:30 PMPaper Session 3
MOONWEEK – Justin Cirillo
Paper on our MOONWEEK event leading up to the Total Lunar Eclipse January 2019.		Hotel/Salon E+F
4:30 PM4:45 PMPaper Session 3
Sensory Saturdays – Carole Holmberg
Our Museum will open an hour early once each month solely for children on the autism spectrum, their families, and their caregivers. We aim to provide a welcoming, comfortable, and judgement-free space. The hour includes a special planetarium show. Learn what we did, what training our staff received, and how our first Sensory Saturday went.		Hotel/Salon E+F
4:45 PM5:00 PMPaper Session 3
Do You Read Me? Making Hearing-Impaired and Deaf Guests Feel Welcome in the Dome – Derrick Rohl & Drew Gilmore
After initial pursuit and experimentation with device-based closed captioning systems, the Sudekum Planetarium elected to pursue open captions (“subtitles”) instead. Staff will share reasoning behind the decision, implementation methods including industry format standards, and feedback from guests. Learn why staff see this project as an important step toward Adventure Science Center’s goal of accessibility for all.		Hotel/Salon E+F
4:00 PM5:00 PMExhibit Hall/Show DomeHotel/Exhibit Hall
5:00 PM6:15 PMDinnerHotel/Greystone
6:30 PM7:00 PMTravel to SCSMCVB shuttle + carpooling
7:00 PM11:00 PMDome Session 2SCSM/Planetarium
11:00 PM11:30 PMTravel to HotelCVB shuttle + carpooling
11:30 PMHospitalityHotel

Thursday June 6, 2019

Start TimeEnd TimeEventLocation
8:30 AM3:00 PMRegistrationHotel/Front Lobby
8:30 AM8:45 AMPaper Session 4
Robeson Planetarium Post Flooding Update: Florence Edition – Ken Brandt
What has happened since the Robeson Planetarium since the re-flooding of the Planetarium and Science Center? Find out about the many positive things that have happened since then, and our future plans.		Hotel/Salon E+F
8:45 AM9:00 AMPaper Session 4
The Domes of Western NC – Gary Lazich
Madison County, Iowa, has its bridges, but western North Carolina has mountains, waterfalls...and domes! For the past three years, I have been volunteering at Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI) in Rosman and Asheville Museum of Science (AMOS) in Asheville. At PARI, I present live programs within their “AdventureDome”; at AMOS, I present “Star Stories” within their StarDome. Each institution has undergone transformation over the past two years as has Mayland Community College, which plans to open a new permanent dome early next year at their Earth and Sky Park in Burnsville. This paper will describe planetarium activity and prospects at each site.		Hotel/Salon E+F
9:00 AM9:15 AMPaper Session 4
Reopening the Kellogg Observatory: The First Year -- Tim Collins
In 1999, the city of Buffalo lost an iconic resource. Due to deteriorating conditions, the Kellogg Observatory at the Buffalo Museum of Science ceased operations of the historic Lundin Telescope constructed in 1930. In 2018, with several sources of funding and philanthropic effort, reopened a fully restored telescope along with a new Digital Starlab planetarium, bringing a new point of interest for many in the Western New York area, and a great resource for astronomy education.		Hotel/Salon E+F
9:15 AM9:30 AMPaper Session 4
Bright Lights, Big Scopes: Urban and Suburban Public Outreach – Mike Smail & Michael McConville
A semi-known Americana singer once crooned ‘You can’t see stars from the city’. But, as many of us know, it’s actually not that bad. Even in substantially light polluted regions, the Moon, planets, and other celestial objects still shine through. We’ll take a look at building an urban/suburban astronomy outreach program from the ground up, featuring case studies from the Adler Planetarium and the Buehler Planetarium at Seminole State College.		Hotel/Salon E+F
9:30 AM9:45 AMPaper Session 4
Astronomy Has No Borders – Dave Weinrich
In a world where many are poor and hungry, some may question the value of spending money on astronomy outreach. Wouldn’t it be better to allocate all financial resources to alleviate the suffering of those in need? There are good reasons for professional and amateur astronomers in all countries to teach people about the Universe. The paper will briefly mention the activities of planetariums in emerging communities in Ghana, Kenya and Kosovo.		Hotel/Salon E+F
9:45 AM10:00 AMPaper Session 4
Risk It! – Susan Button
What is holding you back from the adventure of a lifetime? You simply can't be a shy homebody and also be a planetarian can you? Too busy? Just can't get organized? Come listen to my offers and be motivated to get it together and take the risk!		Hotel/Salon E+F
10:00 AM10:15 AMPaper Session 4
Using a Radio Telescope to Spark STEM Interest – Todd Ullery
The York County Astronomical Society is partnering with York College and the York County Parks System to place a fully automated, internet connected, fifteen-foot diameter radio telescope to be made available to the public for use. You can get involved and make radio telescopes available in your community. Perhaps it will spark the interested of a student to pursue a career in STEM.		Hotel/Salon E+F
10:15 AM10:30 AMPaper Session 4
The Schultz Planetarium: Forgotten Planetarium History – Kenneth Wilson
In the 1950s Armand Spitz had a friendly rival, William Schultz, Jr. who'd designed and fabricated his own pin-hole planetarium projector. The Schultz planetarium may have played an important role in the commercialization of the Spitz Model A planetarium projector.		Hotel/Salon E+F
10:30 AM11:00 AMBeverage BreakHotel/Exhibit Hall
10:30 AM12:30 PMExhibit Hall/Show DomeHotel/Exhibit Hall
12:30 PM1:30 PMLunch
Speaker: Dr Patricia Craig		Hotel/Greystone
1:45 PM2:30 PMSEPA Pre-Business MeetingHotel/Salon E
1:45 PM2:30 PMMAPS Committee MeetingsHotel/Salon F
2:30 PM2:45 PMPaper Session 5
Planetarium STEaM – Jon Bell
Generous donors have enabled our facility to offer free Saturday afternoon lectures to the college students and the public; topics have included a closer look at the moon, robotics and artificial intelligence, the history and practice of anesthesiology, and mythological origins of some of the superheroes featured in today's movies. Attendance has been good, audiences have been very happy, and our college faculty receive an honorarium and get to talk about things they never have time to discuss during normal classroom lectures. Planetarium Director Jon Bell will provide notes on how to set up a series like this.		Hotel/Salon E+F
2:45 PM3:00 PMPaper Session 5
Mission STEAMpossible – Derek Demeter
The Emil Buehler Planetarium teamed up with Michelee Puppetry for an exciting STEAM based performance featuring live actors and puppets. In this paper I will discuss our partnership, how we designed it for the dome, and ways others can feature this amazing play in their domes.		Hotel/Salon E+F
3:00 PM3:15 PMPaper Session 5
Nocturnal Resources of Eastern North Carolina– Brian Baker
Eastern North Carolina boasts some of the darkest skies along the Atlantic Coast of the United States. A qualitative survey of the vast public lands of the Outer Albemarle Peninsula (OAP) was performed to gain insight towards the night-scape resources and the nocturnal environment of the region. Ground level night sky quality readings ranged between 21.3 – 21.81 magnitudes per arcseond^2. Public star party events featuring a mobile planetarium and local amateur astronomers reached 1000 people gaining support and awareness for the project.		Hotel/Salon E+F
3:15 PM3:30 PMPaper Session 5
Renovation of the Strasenburgh Planetarium -- Steven Fentress
After years of anticipation, a generous private gift made it possible to renovate the Strasenburgh Planetarium, Rochester, NY, for its fiftieth anniversary. Guided by the principles of quality of customer service, connectivity, and flexibility, a complex and emotionally laden process produced a renewed facility that respects the best of the past while opening new possibilities for the future.		Hotel/Salon E+F
3:30 PM3:45 PMPaper Session 5
Lost in Time-Producing a Live Action Fulldome Movie – Philip Groce
In 2018, The first and only planetarium in Iceland opened at the Reykjavik’s Perlan Centre. Bowen Technovation was hired to design the 50’ dome planetarium, install all of its equipment, and produce its opening program featuring Iceland’s amazing natural wonders.This presentation is about the challenges of producing a live-action fulldome movie in one of the most remote parts of the world. Lessons from this experience can apply to any foldome production and should interest every planetarian wanting to make their own fulldome planetarium show. MAPS-SEPA Members will get to see the final cut of the 12-minute production called “Lost In Time." This production is not for sale. The only other way to experience it on a dome will be to travel to Iceland.		Hotel/Salon E+F
3:45 PM4:15 PMTravel to SCSMCVB shuttle + carpooling
4:15 PM4:30 PMGroup PhotoSCSM/Planetarium Lobby
4:45 PM6:45 PMDome Session 3SCSM/Planetarium
6:45 PM7:00 PMBreakSCSM/Planetarium Lobby
7:00 PM8:00 PMDinnerSCSM/Planetarium Lobby
8:00 PM10:00 PMDome Session 4SCSM/Planetarium
10:00 PM11:30 PMConstellation ShootoutSCSM/Planetarium
10:00 PM11:00 PMEarly Transport to HotelCVB shuttle + carpooling
11:30 PM11:45 PMLast Transport to HotelCVB shuttle + carpooling
11:00 PMHospitalityHotel

Friday June 7, 2019

Start TimeEnd TimeEventLocation
8:30 AM12:00 PMRegistrationHotel/Front Lobby
9:30 AM11:30 AMSEPA Business MeetingHotel/Salon E
9:30 AM11:30 AMMAPS Committee MeetingsHotel/Salon F
12:00 PM1:00 PMLunchHotel/Greystone
1:15 PM2:00 PMWorkshops 1A
Reinforcing Learning Through Games -- Robin Byrne
How well do your students understand the concepts you've covered? Find out by playing games! In this workshop, we'll play games, such as Taboo, Pictionary, and Charades, which can be used to have the students describe, draw, or act out key concepts. Test your astronomical knowledge while having fun.		Hotel/Salon E
2:15 PM3:00 PMWorkshops 1A
Stellar Spheros – Terry Johnson
This past Spring, I forged a partnership with a local school district to take over an experimental 7th grade STEM class for two weeks. I, along with several candidate teachers, utilized Sphero robots to introduce kinematics. This culminated with a class project of creating a constellation by coding the robots to move to the correct position on a grid in the gym and turning the correct color for each star. Participants to the workshop will work in pairs to replicate this activity and produce a constellation as a group.		Hotel/Salon E
3:15 PM4:00 PMWorkshops 1A
The Human Scale HR Diagram – Derek Demeter & Justin Cirillo
Join Derek Demeter and Justin Cirillo of the Emil Buehler Planetarium for a fun activity where we construct a human sized HR Diagram. We will be using balls of various sizes to create an accurate model of the diagram. This activity was created for our students that visit the planetarium as a after show activity.		Hotel/Salon E
1:15 PM2:00 PMWorkshops 1B
Blender 2.8 Exploration and Freestyle Workshop – Ron Proctor
Blender is a free, open-source software for 3D animation, 2D animation, rigid body simulation, fluid dynamics simulation, and more! We'll explore some features of Blender 2.8 and we'll have time to discuss approaches to your visualization needs! Beginners and advanced users are welcome! Participants are encouraged to bring a laptop with Blender v2.8 installed (download it for free at blender.org). A three-button mouse is strongly recommended.		Hotel/Salon F
2:15 PM3:00 PMWorkshops 1B
Exciting New Update for the World-Wide Telescope – David Weigel
Learn how to make quick visuals that are dome ready in a day with World-Wide Telescope. Participants are encouraged to bring a laptop, though this is not required. WWT is downloadable for PCs, but the online version can be used by anyone.		Hotel/Salon F
3:15 PM4:00 PMWorkshops 1B
OpenSpace--Carter Emmart
OpenSpace is a NASA supported free open source interactive data visualization- exploration tool aimed at the planetarium field. It supports multi-channel networked display, fisheye, and hemispherical mirror output, and can run separately on SkySkan DS, E&S D6, and SCISS/Uniview installations. The workshop will focus on its capabilities to show the AMNH Digital Universe, Earth and planetary multi-scale globe browsing using web map streaming, and space missions reading NASA’s navigation system known as SPICE. OpenSpace is being developed by the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) in collaboration with Sweden’s Linkoping University, University of Utah and New York University. Free downloads for Windows and Mac versions are available at openspaceproject.com		Hotel/Salon F
6:00 PM7:00 PMSilent Auction/Cash BarHotel/Greystone
7:00 PM9:00 PMBanquet+Margaret Noble Address
Speaker: Clay Anderson		Hotel/Greystone
9:00 PM9:30 PMMeet the Speaker/Book SigningHotel/Greystone
10:00 PMHospitalityHotel

Saturday June 8, 2019

Start TimeEnd TimeEventLocation
9:00 AM11:00 AMFarewell BreakfastHotel/Greystone
9:00 AM11:00 AMDoor PrizesHotel/Greystone
2:00 PM3:00 PMPost-Conference Concert
Astronomical Organ Concert		Trinity Cathedral