We have three movies aimed for elementary schools coming up for Weekend Matinees. Due to the minimum retail period, we have unused days. Dates and more information below.

Dinosaurs - A Story of Survival (about dinosaurs to birds - not scary)

Monday - Tuesday Mar 9-10

Short Preview, Educator Guide, Educator Guide with answers

Length: 27 min; Target Age: 6-13

Description: Explore the astounding diversity of dinosaurs that once dominated our Earth. Celeste is preparing a class talk about how dinosaurs went extinct when she’s confronted by a tantalizing question: what if there are still dinosaurs among us? Celeste embarks on an epic journey through time to discover the key to their survival. Join Celeste on a time-traveling adventure to unveil the colossal creatures of yesteryears and witness the incredible transformations they experienced over millions of years.

Little Major Tom - Into the Unknown

Monday - Tuesday Mar 16-17 

Wednesday March 18 - let me know

Short Preview, Educator Guide

Contact Rosemary for full-length preview

Length: 27 min; Target age: 6-13

Description: ​ When a severe hurricane threatens Earth, Tom (who struggles with anxiety about his first spacewalk) and his brave friend Stella must leave their training at Space Base 1 to repair a broken weather satellite within 48 hours. The film covers environmental awareness (climate change), resilience, friendship, and space exploration. This fantastic fulldome show weaves meticulously researched facts about climate change and our future in space with engaging characters, including an AI-powered robot cat nicknamed Pluty. Kids of all ages will relate to Tom and Stella as the characters come to terms with their dreams and disappointments, accept responsibilities and consequences, and become better friends and teammates. Little Major Tom incorporates themes of teamwork, resilience, problem-solving, environmental awareness, and the wonders of space exploration, while inspiring audiences to dream big and make a difference in the world.

Lila - Life Cycles and Connections

Monday - Tuesday Mar 23-24 

Wednesday March 25 - let me know

Short Preview, Full-length Preview

Educator Guide (just now added)

Length: 30 min; Target age: 6-13

Description: This immersive educational experience transforms natural science into an unforgettable journey. Students dive into a vibrant ecosystem, shrinking to the size of a small caterpillar to discover vital processes such as photosynthesis, the water cycle, and the challenges of climate change, while taking on the role of “Ecosystem Heroes.” As the adventure unfolds, participants accompany Lila through her transformation into a butterfly to explore the complex, invisible networks that sustain life—from the fascinating underground communication of trees via mycelium to bird biodiversity. “Lila: Life Cycles and Connections” bridges scientific knowledge with ecological awareness and empathy, stunningly demonstrating that in nature, every being and every process is deeply connected. It is the ultimate tool for inspiring a new generation to protect the delicate balance of our planet.

Here's the Schedule for 2025-2026.  Any times which become unavailable will get marked here.  When you contact me or fill out a form (not yet up),  you can request a date, time, and length.  A choice of length is up to you. I'll add your information to the schedule.  You can access the schedule with you JSD email login.

Fill out the form:  SIgnup Form 

Email me for questions: rosemary@mariedrakeplanetarium.org

SPECIAL REQUEST

Request a topic. We have a variety of resources. See a list of sometimes requested topics.

FULLDOME MOVIES

We have a selection of fulldome movies. For 2025-2026, we have a grant to help with license fees.  Some movies we can show anytime, free or with a small pay-per-view charge. For movies which can be rented for 3-days, we can often schedule some public shows during that period. For 2025-2026, we have a grant to help with license fees, 

LIVE SHOWS

1. Under a Juneau Sky

This is our core interactive planetarium show which covers a variety of interesting topics and visual effects. We can adapt it for any age group, and each show differs depending on the interests of the teacher, presenter, and students.  We can include topics for science standards for certain grades.

2. Raven and the Box of Daylight

This field trip incorporates the story of Raven and the Box of Daylight, as told by Tlingit storyteller Lily Hope. It highlights the Indigenous story with the natural world of stars, the Moon, the Sun, and daylight and can be adapted for pre-K through lower elementary grades. 

3. Our Solar System and Beyond (general theme)

This can be tailored to your request.

4. Planet Earth (general theme)

This can be tailored to your request.

5. Selection of Topics

For each of the above you can add suggestions, comments, or requests on the Signup Form.

Just some ideas...

• The path of the Sun in the sky

• Constellations

• Northern constellations

• Constellations from different cultures

• Compare skies from different locations (north pole, equator, Australia, etc.)

• Seasons

• Wayfinding and navigation

• Moon phases

• Aurora

• Tides

• Solar system tour

• Exoplanets

• Life beyond earth

• Solar eclipses

• Lunar eclipses

• Galaxies

• ... and more

We'll soon include a list of fulldome movies with descriptions, links to trailers, age recommendations, etc.  The information below shows examples of fulldome movies accessible to you on a wide variety of topics.  Typical lengths are 25 - 30 min, which may leave time for live topics or demonstrations during field trips.

Movies which we can show anytime.

• Recent examples include Messengers of Time and Space, One Sky Project films, Mars - the Ultimate Voyage, Mysteries of Your Brain, Wayfinders, Sunset Mediation, A to Z Astronomy! For Ages 3 to 103, DINO SOARS! Change Over Time, Spooky Space, Surviving in Space, and much more.

• We always look out for opportunities to add to this list.

Movies which we can show as a pay-per-view.

• NSC Creative offers us the following shows: The Great Solar System Adventure, We Are Guardians, We Are Stars, Capcom Go - The Apollo Story, One Step Beyond - A Journey to Mars

Movies which can be rented for 3 days at a time.

• Reef Distribution will offer us 3-day rentals on some popular shows like Dinosaurs - A Story of Survival, Whale Superhighway,  Little Major Tom, and more.  You can find all titles here.

• Fulldome OnDemand offers 3-day rentals to any planetarium with an online rental process.  Examples include Living Worlds; Habitat Earth; One World, One Sky - Big Bird's Adventure; Destination Solar System and more. You can find all titles here.

• Rental prices, for the examples listed above, vary from $50 to $170 for 3 days.

• Fulldome OnDemand also has some less expensive films.

• In order to make the best use of a 3-day rental, we try to show a movie multiple times, including some public shows.