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BCIU donates STARLab portable planetarium to Wilson SD; district to train teachers and schedule classroom visits
Summary
The district accepted a donated STARLab portable planetarium from the BCIU; the 16-foot dome and projection system will be available to classrooms, with teacher training and a reservation system planned.
The Wilson School Board accepted the donation of a STARLab portable planetarium from the Berks County Intermediate Unit (BCIU) and heard a presentation describing how the unit will be used in classrooms.
Mister Rhodes, who helped arrange the donation, described STARLab as "a portable planetarium system" with a dome about 16 feet across and projections that can illustrate constellations, Native American star stories, ocean currents and earth sciences. He said the district received a well-maintained dome and accompanying projection cylinders and instructional materials after coordinating with BCIU staff and a colleague at Governor Mifflin who took the other unit.
Rhodes noted that newly purchased digital STARLab systems can cost $40,000–$60,000, while the donated system represents a lower-cost way to bring immersive science experiences to students. He said teachers will be able to reserve the unit via a sign-up form and that the district plans to provide training so staff can set up and use the system properly.
The board accepted the donation as a consent-item motion. Administrators said they will publicize the booking process and offer training to maximize longevity and classroom value.
