The organization came into formal existence on Saturday, May 22, 1965, during a meeting of planetarium educators held in the Earth and Space Science Laboratory of Frederick County, Frederick, Maryland.
The original objectives of the society were described as follows:
- To give assistance to newly formed planetariums and newly appointed planetarium teachers. The assistance to be mainly in the form of curriculum materials developed by members of MAPS.
- To provide boards of education contemplating a planetarium with recommendations on planetarium construction.
- To have its members become acquainted with new curriculum material at all grade levels, developed by planetarium educators across the country.
- To become familiar with any new projects, projectors, and audio-visual aids developed by members of MAPS.
How It All Began
MAPS History Database
The following PDF files represent the current state of our data collection. Please review them and share any additions or corrections. All information has been gathered from past issues of The Constellation, archival records, and member contributions. Each document indicates which materials we hold in our archives and flags any missing issues—if you have copies, we would appreciate your assistance. These files will be updated regularly as new information and documents become available.
» MAPS History Database 1965-1985 (PDF)
» MAPS History Database 1986-2006 (PDF)
» MAPS History Database 2007-2015 (PDF)
» MAPS History Database 2016-2023 (PDF)
CTA Oral History Project
Our membership is changing, aging, and evolving. There are a lot of stories that can be archived with your assistance. I encourage you to interview your colleagues, especially the ones nearing retirement or even those who have recently retired. This is not to say that younger members don’t have interesting stories to add, anyone can become part of the archives.
What you will need to conduct an interview:
- Some sort of recording device and microphone. Use the best equipment you have available, the quality of your recording depends on it.
- Come up with a list of questions, but remember to let the interviewee do most of the talking (it’s easy to want to fill in the gaps).
- Get a signed release for the interview. You will find a release form in the .pdf file below. This gives the person you are interviewing a sense that you are responsible, and it gives them some control as to how the interview is used.
- When your interview(s) are complete, please send copies to the MAPS archives, c/o John Meader, Northern Stars Planetarium, 15 Western Ave, Fairfield, ME 04937.
Be sure to include the recording (preferably a cassette or CD), a transcript if you made one, and the signed release form.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact (207) 453-7668, or email info@northern-stars.com.
Audio: James Orgren Planetarium Society Letter 1966
