AISD science coordinator touts planetarium outreach and new curriculum hub for teachers
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Summary
District science coordinator Jason Barber described a new district science hub for teachers, adoption of Kessler Science for grades 5–8, expanded professional development attendance and successful public planetarium programming that drew roughly 10,000 visitors in 2025.
Abilene ISD’s science coordinator told the board on March 5 that the district is strengthening science instruction by centralizing teacher materials, expanding professional development and using the Morgan Jones Planetarium for both curriculum and community outreach.
Jason Barber said he created a district “science hub” to give elementary and secondary teachers a single place to access curriculum materials, assessments and classroom resources. He told the board the district adopted Kessler Science for grades five through eight to increase hands-on, station-based labs and that the move has been well received by teachers.
Barber highlighted professional development gains: he said the district sent 30 science educators to the statewide conference for science teachers this year, compared with two the previous year. He also reviewed planetarium operations: Barber said the Morgan Jones Planetarium reopened in October 2024 and that public shows and school visits have been successful, drawing roughly 10,000 attendees in 2025 and steady out-of-district groups. The planetarium hosted a NASA trailer and a moon-rock touch display that attracted large crowds, Barber said.
Board members asked about hosting and community access; Barber said the planetarium schedule and public-ticketing information are posted on the district website and a Facebook page, and he encouraged board members to attend upcoming shows. He described partnerships with local universities and an ACU alumnus who worked on the James Webb Space Telescope contributing to an exhibit the planetarium is building.
The presentation was informational; no board action was taken.
