The Annual Middle Atlantic Planetarium Society Conference will take place May 19 through 22, 2010 at the University of Southern Maine - Southworth Planetarium in Portland, Maine.  The conference hosts will be Jerry LaSala, Director and Steve Innes.  The Southworth Planetarium was the location of the1994 MAPS Conference, hosted by Laura Deines and Roy Gallant. 

Fellowship Status:  Applications received before MARCH 1, 2010 (due date extended) will enable us to prepare and present your certificate during the 2010 conference at the Southworth Planetarium, Maine.  MAPS Fellow Application  (pdf.file)  (12/22/09 Steve Mitch, President)

The purpose of the award is to recognize those members of 7 consecutive years and at least one of the following criteria:

If you could not join us in Bowie Maryland this past May, consider the possibility of hosting us all at YOUR facility in 2011!   We could come to you!  We'd love to take advantage of visiting new theaters, experiencing the unique local culture around your facility, and listening to a wide variety of speakers that can make it to your site! If you think that you would like to experience MAPS from the conference planners point of view (a unique experience itself!), drop the MAPS Board a note, and we'll be glad to consider your site for 2011!  Don't delay! Let us know today! 

You can now download our updated membership application form (pdf.file).  It is also on our Membership Information Page (link at top of this page in blue menu bar.)  It will continue to be posted there after this post leaves our home page.  (1/15/10 Keith Johnson, Treasurer)

Interested in publishing an advertisement to our members in our quarterly newsletter the "Constellation?"  Download the updated combined Rates and Submission form here.  You will also find the form on our publications page. (link at top of this page in blue menu bar) (1/16/10 Kevin Conod, Publications chairperson)

How did you get YOUR start in the planetarium field? Was this your lifelong dream? Or were you in the right (or wrong!) place at the right time? A combination of both? Or ...was it a totally different track that might have led you here?  Contact Patty Seaton with your origin tale so that we can share it with others Society members.

John Scala, our education committee chairman, is seeking a simple overview from planetarium educators as to what topics they teach at each grade level.  John is following up a request by the International Planetarium Society Education Committee which is requesting this from all educators.  It will be compiled as a reference to assist  new (or current) members when setting up their curriculum.

More About M.A.P.S.

Formed in 1965, the Middle Atlantic Planetarium Society (MAPS) is one of the oldest regional planetarium associations in the United States. In 1968, MAPS, in conjunction with the Great Lakes Planetarium Association, was instrumental in laying the groundwork for the founding of the International Society of Planetarium Educators (now known as the International Planetarium Society.)

Today, MAPS members represent some of the largest and best known planetariums in the world, as well as a vast collection of small and mid-sized public, private, and educational installations. Each spring the membership gathers to exchange information, view planetarium presentations, and examine vendor exhibits at the Annual Conference.  Our membership welcomes and includes volunteer, part time, and full time planetarium operators, directors, museum specialists, and astronomy / science educators. 

Throughout the year, members keep in touch through The Constellation , the Society's quarterly newsletter,  an electronic e-mail list called MAPS-L and our web site.   We are a resource for planetarium educators and  promote smaller area conferences and local gatherings of planetarians.  We welcome astronomy and science educators to join with us to augment their professional development. 

Middle Atlantic Planetarium Society
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