Educational Research Directly related to Planetarium Instruction
 

Recently we posted on our MAPS-List research that resulted from surveys conducted for the dissertation of (now) Dr. Larry Krumenaker.   We wanted to bring it to our website for general public access.   Dr. Krumenaker also maintains a website he has created for astronomy which we have linked to below. 

The Status and Makeup of the U.S. High School Astronomy Course
 in the Era of No Child Left Behind
Dr. Larry Krumenaker
To Teach the Stars Network
2897 N. Druid Hills Road, Suite 325
Atlanta, GA 30329

The Classroom Astronomer
Dr. Larry Krumenaker
To Teach the Stars Network
2897 N. Druid Hills Road, Suite 325
Atlanta, GA 30329

Students Development of Astronomy Concepts Across Time
Dr. Julia Plummer
Department of Education, Arcadia University, 450 S. Easton Rd., Glenside, Pennsylvania 19038

Early Elementary Students' Development of Astronomy Concepts in the Planetarium
Dr. Julia Plummer
Department of Education, Arcadia University, 450 S. Easton Rd., Glenside, Pennsylvania 19038

Resources related Disabled Visitors in the Planetarium

You can Do Astronomy
You Can Do Astronomy LLC is an accessibility design and consulting company with a focus on making astronomy and space science accessible to people with disabilties.

 

MAPS Education Mentoring Network

If you are starting out in the planetarium field or have recently moved to a new facility with unfamiliar equipment or curriculum, and have questions for a fellow educator, technician, or coordinator, our mentors can help.  Our field tends to be a specialty in which one often finds oneself operating single handedly without the benefit of immediate consultation with a colleague facing the same challenges.

Below is a list of Planetarium Professionals that have been in the planetarium field a minimum of 5 years and are current M.A.P.S. members.  Those listed are willing to field any calls for advice on curriculum, technology and planetarium related concerns.  There are a few key words associated with each name to give you an idea of their work specialty.

Please avail yourself of this mentor service by calling any of the mentors listed below.  We agree that the only bad question is the one not asked.  No queries will be considered too minor.  If we can't help, we will point out other resources and individuals that can.

As our organization gains new members, we feel the Education Mentor Network will serve a vital function. Unlike education mentors that are assigned, you are free to consult with any of our mentors,  We are a voluntary pool of professionals willing to assist.

Please contact us if you would like to be a mentor and added to our listing.

We are in need of some volunteer mentors from the states of New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut,  Maryland, Delaware, and West Virginia.  This could prove to be an excellent opportunity for more members to get connected, communicate, and assist to raise the professional level of the entire planetarium field.