Stargazing just got a whole lot more accessible across the Hudson!
U.S. Senator Cory Booker has officially partnered with Liberty Science Center to launch a new initiative aimed at bringing the wonders of the universe directly to students.
On Tuesday, August 25, the Senator visited the science center in Jersey City to present a ceremonial check for $559,000.
These funds will kickstart a brand-new “Portable Planetarium” program designed for underserved children throughout New Jersey.
Taking space on the road
Liberty Science Center already houses the largest planetarium in the Western Hemisphere, but now they are taking the show on the road.
The generous grant provides the means to load a state-of-the-art portable planetarium onto two specially designed vehicles.
The mobile facility will travel across the state to schools, community centers, and after-school organizations. By bringing the stars directly to students of all ages, the museum hopes to excite the next generation of scientists and engineers about the pure fun of STEM.
Immersive high-tech learning
This is definitely not your average science class. The portable planetarium is packed with cutting-edge technology. Through the museum’s “Science on a Sphere” programs, students will explore stunning data visualizations directly from NASA and NOAA.
They will get to observe global animations of earthquakes, plate tectonics, hurricane tracks, and lunar phases right from their own gymnasiums. Plus, using an open-source software called OpenSpace, kids will even learn to design their own cosmic shows.
Expanding access to the stars
This new initiative builds on a highly successful pilot program that was launched earlier this year with the Boys and Girls Club of Hudson County and Jersey City Public Schools.
The massive new funding will also allow LSC to hire and train new planetarium educators to deliver these offsite workshops.
With nearly 300,000 K-12 students already participating in LSC programming each year, this mobile experience will massively enhance access to science education across the region.
If you are looking to visit the physical museum and its giant permanent planetarium, Liberty Science Center is located at 222 Jersey City Blvd, Jersey City.