Planetarium program provides elementary students with an “out of this world” experience

March 19, 2025: Earlier this month, elementary students throughout the North Syracuse Central School District had “out of this world” experiences as part of their school day. Through OCM BOCES STEM Services, a Planetarium Program is offered to participating districts and the North Syracuse School District is taking advantage.  John Rice, the NSCSD’s director who oversees science curriculum in the district, coordinates with OCM BOCES to bring the planetarium (Starlab) to NSCSD elementary students.

“The planetarium program is directly tied to our curriculum and provides a unique learning opportunity for students,” said Mr. Rice. “It isn’t always possible to view objects in the night sky but with the planetarium, the lessons taught in class can be visualized despite cloudy skies, street lights or other obstacles.”

By stepping inside the Starlab, students explore fundamental concepts of astronomy, including earth’s movement, the phases of the moon, and seasonal changes—all of which are crucial to understanding the natural world. The interactive nature of the planetarium allows educators to tailor lessons to various grade levels, ensuring that learning is both age-appropriate and impactful.

The adaptability of the planetarium experience ensures that students at all grade levels can develop an appreciation for astronomy. Whether they are first learning about how the sun and moon interact with earth or diving into complex astronomical concepts, the Starlab brings these ideas to life in a way that textbooks simply cannot.

Thanks to the dedication of NSCSD’s educators and the collaboration with OCM BOCES, students are gaining invaluable exposure to the wonders of space. Many thanks to all our elementary teachers who have been able to share the Planetarium experience with their students!

Learn more about the OCM BOCES Planetarium Program.