Our new planetarium show is unlike anything you have seen at miSci!  Earth's Wild Ride is a must-see planetarium show with dramatic special effects. It begins on the surface of Mars where a grandfather who once lived on Earth takes his grandchildren to watch the Earth in the Martian night sky. The show takes you through the history of the Earth from the big bang and the death of the dinosaurs to a time in the future when the human race has colonized Mars. The story sometimes takes on the aspect of a thrill ride with one exception: if the motion bothers you, then you can close your eyes. Earth's Wild Ride is offered every day at 11AM and 2PM Monday through Saturday and 2PM Sunday. The show is suitable for all audiences. At the close of the show, the planetarium operator will give you a brief tour of the night sky seen from Earth and show you Mars.  I hope you see it soon and if you like it, please let us know on Facebook.   

 
Now the story behind the story ... Recently miSci received a $50,000 grant for the planetarium from the Wright Family Foundation. Since then we have received another grant of up to $20,000 from New York State. The money will be used as part of a $100,000 planetarium renovation. The first step of that renovation was completed in mid-July when we installed a digital high definition, all-dome projector. This new hi-tech projector does not replace our wonderful GOTO star projector; it supplements it in a fashion that you will have to see to believe.  In addition to showing you the stars and planets, most planetarium shows tell a story and illustrate that story whether they take you to the surface of the moon or on a rocket trip through space.

miSci's new planetarium projector.

Previously, our planetarium did that with slide projectors and that technology left something to be desired. The projectors are noisy and not easy to replace when they wear out. Instead of merging many single projectors together into a circular panorama, our new technology provides a seamless and silent projection that offers modern special effects. As we develop or purchase new planetarium shows, we will phase out the older shows that we have on slides.  

The next step in the renovation will take place in the fall when we replace the planetarium seats with new more comfortable seats and install new carpet. Thank you Wright Family Foundation and the State of New York. If you would like to help with the planetarium renovation, please contact miSci's Director of Development Carmel Patrick at 518-382-7890 x 250 or carmel.patrick@misci.org or make a contribution online.Thank you. 

Young people in the Capital District interested in science now have a place to pursue their passion outside of school: Teen Science Cafe at miSci, the region's science center. Part of a national network, the Teen Science Cafe will provide new relationships with practicing scientists in a casual setting and new outlooks on the nature of science. These programs give "real world" meaning to the science the teens learn in school. 

The Teen Science Café at miSci will be run for teens and by teens with miSci facilitator Lauren McClelland. After an initial planning meeting, the following students were elected to serve as officers for the 2014-2015 school year:

Chair: Darius Irani, Niskayuna High School
Vice Chair: Ian Randall, Schalmont High School
Marketing Chair: Victoria Hufundick, Schalmont High School
Assistant Marketing Chair: Joe Giodano, Zoller Elementary School
Recording Secretary: Briana Fitzgerald, Scotia-Glenville High School
Assistant Secretary: Simi Kaun, Schalmont High School
Topics Chair: Justin Phillips, Scotia-Glenvillle High School
Assistant Topics Chair: Ankit Baghel, Albany Academy