A Galaxy Far, Far Away — Right There On The Ceiling
A segment on NPR’s ‘All Things Considered’ featured quotes from several planetarians from the MAPS region.
NPR’s “Tools of the Trade” series examines iconic objects of the education world.
The 24 juniors and seniors in the astronomy class at Thomas Jefferson High School in Alexandria, Va., sink into plush red theater seats. They’re in a big half-circle around what looks like a giant telescope with a globe on the end. Their teacher, Lee Ann Hennig, stands at a wooden control panel which, appropriately, has enough buttons and dials to launch a rocket.
Above this whole room is a large white dome. It’s lit up right now — like daytime — but with the turn of a dial, Hennig makes the sun set. As the light fades, stars appear. Just a few at first, and then all of a sudden it’s like a night sky, way out in the country…
Read the full transcript on NPR.org