Can't come to the Barlow Planetarium? Let the Barlow come to you!
In August 2024, the Barlow Planetarium received an IMLS grant to purchase a portable planetarium. The purpose of the purchase was to expand the reach of the Barlow to schools who could not have a field trip to the Barlow because of either distance or busing expenses.
Barlow staff will come to your school and set up our inflatable dome for you to have the experience of the planetarium. You can have up to 6 shows in a day.
There are a few requirements for having the portable planetarium come to your school. Please read them carefully to make sure that you will be able to accommodate the portable.
Make your reservation request for the portable planetarium here!
Must have adequate indoor space. (A gym or cafeteria will often be adequate.)
- Ceiling height: Minimum of 15 feet (Any ceiling sprinkler heads must be higher than 15 feet.)
- Room size: Minimum of 27x27 feet
- Two power outlets (normal 120V line)
- Internet access (ideal but can run without it)
Setup requirements
- There must be level entry, ramp and/or large elevator access. No stairs.
- At least two adults are required to assist in unloading and loading equipment.
- There is no flooring in the dome, so having carpet or a mat will make it more comfortable.
- Floor should be cleaned before portable is set up.
Behavior
- Visitors should not touch any equipment.
- No food, drink or gum is allowed.
- Some visitors may feel dizzy at times due to the motions of the images. If that happens, they should close their eyes for a few seconds and it will pass.
Availability:
IMPORTANT: Due to limited staffing, the portable is only available for reservation the second week of every month.
For the 2025-2026 school year, this is the following weeks:
October 14-17
November 11-14
December 9-12
January 13-16
February 10-13
March 10-13
April 14-17
May 12-15
If you would like to request a different date, please contact Barlow Planetarium Director, Dr. Teri Gee (920-832-2852).
| One-day flat fee | $750 | Up to 6 shows |
| One-time labor fee | $100 | Includes setup and takedown |
| Second-day flat fee | $600 | Up to 5 shows |
| Hotel fee | $100 | Required if doing two days or a late afternoon/evening show |
Shows available for reservation:
The Friendly Sky (Grades PK & K) - Live show
The Friendly Sky is designed to be the best possible introduction to astronomy and the planetarium environment for the youngest of students. Students use their imaginations and the stars to play a celestial game of connect-the-dots. Each program ends with a tour of the constellations, stars and planets that are in the current nighttime sky. 40 minutes
Our Place in Space (Grades 1 & 2) - Live show
Science is all about asking questions and investigating answers. Our Place in Space handles the earliest science questions that students about their world: What causes day and night? How does the Moon change shape? What causes the seasons to change? Each program ends with a tour of the constellations, stars and planets that are in the current nighttime sky. 40 minutes
Solar System Exploration (Grades 3-5) - Live show
The solar system is a truly amazing place filled with fascinating worlds just waiting to be discovered. Students will see some of the latest images of the Sun, planets, moons and dwarf planets. Each program ends with a tour of the constellations, stars and planets that are in the current nighttime sky. 40 minutes
Galactic Quest (Grades 6-8) - Live show
Our home galaxy, The Milky Way, is filled with 200 billion stars. Galactic Quest tours your student past the most interesting objects in our galaxy – stars, nebulae, star clusters – to learn how stars are born, how they are classified, and the amazing ways they end their lives. Each program ends with a tour of the constellations, stars and planets that are in the current nighttime sky. 40 minutes
Universe (Grades 9-12) - Live show
When discussing the universe, the facts can be truly amazing and mind-boggling. How large is the universe? How old is the universe? Universe not only answers these questions, but also explorers the spectacular methods astronomers used to find the answers. Each program ends with a tour of the constellations, stars and planets that are in the current nighttime sky. 40 minutes
Stories in the Sky (Grades 6-12) - Live show
Have mythology come to life with an in-depth tour of the nighttime sky. 40 minutes
A to Z Astronomy! (Grades 1-12) – Recorded show
Explore the depths of space in a wild ride through the universe!
Appealing to all ages, this family romp through the galaxies includes a roller coaster ride on our huge dome, a strange stop at a black hole by Mr. Shakespeare, a talking letter with a jelly-bean universe, and a trip to Egypt to explore hieroglyphs—the origins of our letters. Don’t miss any of our out-of-this-world ABC adventures! From the aurora to the zodiac, this alphabet voyage will leave you spinning for more. Each program ends with a tour of the constellations, stars and planets that are in the current nighttime sky. 40 minutes