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Educational Programs
Ward Beecher Planetarium is proud to offer a wide variety of educational programming that meet or include grade level standards P-12 and in various disciplines such as Physics, Chemistry, Biology, History, and of course Astronomy.
Please note, all programs include a live star and constellation identification unless stated specifically.
Pre-K & Elementary Shows
Middle School Shows
High School & Adult Shows
Planning a Field Trip
Regretfully, effective 9/1/2022, we are unable to schedule group or school field trips due to staffing issues. Please check back in early 2023.
New Shows
Expectations in the Planetarium
If you are bringing a large group (over 60), please let all teachers, parents, and chaperones know that we prioritize the best seats to the students. This means students may not be able to sit by class and parents may not be to sit with their children.
There is no food or drink allowed in the planetarium. If you are bringing sack lunches, they can be stored in the front of the room and retrieved after the show. See Lunch on Campus below for more information.
Cellphone use is not permitted during a show. It is expected that all cellphones be turned off or on silent and put away. If a phone call to a bus driver or some other exception must be made, guests are expected to exit the planetarium before they make or answer these phone calls.
For safety, we do not allow re-admittance into the planetarium during a show. This means if a guest leaves during a show, they are not allowed back into the planetarium until the show is over. We can make accommodations for those with special needs, but planetarium staff will need to know prior to your visit.
IMPORTANT: Because students will model their behavior on the adults around them, it is expected that the teachers, parents, or chaperones understand and adhere to the rules and expectations of the planetarium absolutely.
About Parking
Navigating around the campus can take time, especially during the week days when classes are in session. Please leave yourself extra time to get to the planetarium and plan your route to campus beforehand.
Buses & Vans: There are loading/unloading zones on Lincoln Ave right in front of the planetarium and our neighboring buidling, Moser Hall. Buses may park on the Eastbound side of Service Rd behind the stadium near the scoreboard. View our Parking Map for more detail.
Personal Vehicles: Parking is first come/first served at the meters on Lincoln Ave and its side streets. Meter parking is free after 5:00 pm and on the weekends. Visitors may also park in the Wick Avenue Deck (M30) for $5.00 and use the pedestrian bridge on level 4 to cross over to campus. View our Parking Map for more detail.
Handicapped drop off is in the small parking lot between Ward Beecher and Jones Hall (the first drive on the right coming from Wick Ave.)
Lunch on Campus
If you want to buy lunch on campus or bring a sack lunch to eat, we recommend you visit YSU's Kilcawley Student Center. Groups must make arrangements prior to your visit. For more about Kilcawley Center, visit their website here.
Due to a fire, the planetarium is CLOSED until further notice. All public shows for the remainder of the 2023 season are cancelled. Follow along for updates on our Facebook Page.
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