STEM Programs and Resources
Standards-Based Programming and Resources
To assist teachers in engaging their students in the best possible learning experience, Sci-Port’s Education Team has crafted several learning programs and educator resources that connect to our programming, exhibits, and gallery experiences. These programs and resources may be used as discovery and introduction to concepts, in concept formation, or as part of the analysis and evaluation part of the learning curriculum. All programs have been aligned to the Louisiana Student Standards (LSSs.) (Note: Not all LSS listed will be covered in their entirety; a program may only focus on a portion of the standard.)
Live Demonstrations
Your students can be part of the action in our interactive demonstrations. All demonstrations can accommodate up to 60 students and are 30 minutes in duration. Teacher Resource Guides (TRGs) can be downloaded by clicking the name of the program.
Science Programs Catalog
| Grade(s) | Program Name | Content | Program Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PreK - 6th | Animal Encounters** | Life Science | Reserve an opportunity for your students to get up close and personal with some of Sci-Port’s furry and/or scaly friends! |
| PreK - 3rd | Stuffee’s Lunchbox | Health & the Body | Stuffee, our six-foot-tall blue-haired doll, shares his digestive system with your students. They will discover MyPlate, the USDA’s new healthy eating guidelines, by classifying the contents of Stuffee’s lunchbox. |
| PreK - 4th | Pop Fizz | Chemical Changes | Witness crazy chemical reactions during this introduction to the three states of matter. Students will observe chemical reactions and discover some combinations that create “pops” and “fizzes”. Students will also be introduced to different states of matter such as solid, liquid, and gas. |
| 3rd - 5th | Fact of the Matter | States of Matter | Students will experience the four states of matter and understand that all matter in the world can be classified as a solid, liquid, gas, or plasma. The freezing point, boiling point, condensation, and sublimation of various substances will be demonstrated, as will phase changes of a number of selected substances. |
| 3rd - 6th | Young Isaac Newton | Laws of Motion | Explore and learn about Newton’s Three Laws of Motion. Students will participate by using everyday objects (a few unique to Sci-Port) to comprehend the meaning of each law. |
| 5th - 8th | Weather Works | Weather | Learn about the weather while watching us make clouds, rain, lightning, tornadoes, and other weather phenomena! |
Special Astronomy Friday Programs (available on Fridays only) | |||
| Earth, Moon, Sun | |||
| The Solar System | Sun, Planets, Asteroids | ||
| Beyond the Solar System | |||
**Note: Hands-on interaction with animals depends on their health and availability.
Visiting the Planetarium
Your students can be part of the action in interactive programs or be WOW-ed by the movies in our digital Space Dome Planetarium. All programs in our planetarium can accommodate up to 60 students and are 30 minutes in duration. Teacher Resource Guides (TRGs) can be downloaded by clicking the name of the program.
Choose from Live Interactive Programs or Movies
- Live Interactive presentations include live narration with flexible scenery
- Movies feature pre-recorded narration and scenery
Both types of programming cover a variety of subject matter within Earth and Space Science, Astronomy, and Physics.
Rules of the Space Dome
- We ask that you quietly arrive with your students in a single-file line outside the Space Dome’s main entrance on the 1st floor of the Space Center.
- If possible, arrive at least 10 minutes before your scheduled start time and wait for the Space Dome staff to assist you with seating.
- Be courteous and minimize any distractions.
- We ask that everyone refrain from using devices that emit light and/or sound during the course of the program.
- Questions related to the topic are strongly encouraged but may not be answered due to time constraints. You are welcome to contact the Space Dome staff via email or Facebook as a follow-up.
- Check with the Space Dome staff if you or anyone within your group wishes to record anything within the Space Dome.
Planetarium Program Catalog
Live Interactive Planetarium Programs
| Grade(s) | Program Name | Content | Program Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4th and up | Space Rocks | Planetary Science | The students will discern the differences in the planets and other space rocks housed in our solar system and universe. |
| 5th - 8th | Starry Night | Constellations | An interactive, grade level-appropriate tour of the current season's night sky. Students learn about the constellations, the night's brightest stars and the latest relevant space news. |
Planetarium Movies | |||
| PreK - 2nd | One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure | Sun, Stars & Moon | See how people all over the world are connected. With the help of Big Bird, Elmo and a new friend from China named Hu Hu Zhu, children will discover that everyone everywhere shares the same sky. Made possible at Sci-Port by the Colleen J. Papai Memorial Fund |
Additional Programming Resources
Sci-Port’s education team has put together several resources that can help you maximize the experience for you and your students.
Laser Digital IMAX Dome Theatre Teacher Resource Guides
Be The Astronaut Resources
Gallery of Intrigue Resources
