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WAYNE – “Kids Weekend” highlights Wayne State College’s free planetarium and laser shows Friday and Saturday, Sept. 20-21, in the Fred G. Dale Planetarium. Admission is free and open to the public, but free-will donations are accepted.
The shows and lectures for this weekend are intended for preschool through second grade children.
On Friday, Sept. 20, the planetarium show “One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure” will be at 7 p.m., followed by the laser show “Laser Kids” at 8 p.m.
On Saturday, Sept. 21, the planetarium show “Zula Patrol: Under the Weather” is at 1 p.m., followed by the laser show “Laser Kids” at 2 p.m.
“One World, One Sky” is a brilliant spectacle of light and color that follows Sesame Street’s Big Bird and Elmo as they explore the night sky with Hu Hu Zhu, a new friend from China. Together, they take an imaginary trip from Sesame Street to the moon, where they discover how different it is from Earth.
This cross-cultural adventure opens children’s eyes to the sky, helping them see how people all over the world are connected.
From the far reaches of outer space, comes the Zula Patrol! The stalwart heroes of the Zula Patrol are on an expedition collecting samples of weather for scientist Multo’s research. When the Zula gang inadvertently hurts their loyal pet Gorga’s feelings, he decides to leave Zula and find another planet to live on. Villain Dark Truder then tricks Gorga into helping with his latest nefarious scheme to rule the universe. The Zula Patrolers find out and go after him - in the process learning all about weather, both terrestrial and interplanetary.
The planetarium is located on the lowest level of Wayne State’s Carhart Science Building. Guests should use the southwest doors to enter. Once inside, go to the stairs at the south end of the building and go down to the lowest level.
You may also take the elevator. Carhart Science and the planetarium are handicap accessible.
Doors open 20 minutes prior to the start of a show and shows generally include a tour of the current night sky, how to find the constellations, and current events in astronomy.
All shows last about 45 minutes. Those wanting to book a private planetarium show should visit www.wsc.edu/planetarium and click “Contact the Planetarium” to complete the online reservation form.
The shows will cycle through the planetarium’s vast library of shows, and each planetarium show will be followed by a laser show.
For more information, or to view a complete schedule of planetarium and laser shows for the Fall 2024 semester, visit www.wsc.edu/planetarium, or contact Dr. Todd Young, director of the Fred G. Dale Planetarium, at 402-375-7471.
