Proposal Title
Furthering decolonization and reconciliation via a portable planetarium
Session Type
Presentation
Room
Somerville House, room 3315
Start Date
12-7-2023 2:00 PM
End Date
12-7-2023 2:20 PM
Keywords
astronomy, planetarium, reconcilation, decolonization
Primary Threads
Teaching and Learning Science
Abstract
The William J. McCallion Planetarium at McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada (established 1949), is pleased to share details of the first year of outreach initiatives and statistics from its new small (6m diameter) portable planetarium. The portable planetarium, purchased with funding from the Faculty of Science, was launched in June 2022, and has the primary goal of extending astronomy-based education and outreach initiatives to underserved and underrepresented communities off campus (to supplement the fixed planetarium on campus). The portable planetarium has also allowed us to continue our reconciliation efforts and astronomy collaborations with local Indigenous communities, resulting in the co-creation of one show and further shows in development. This presentation will highlight the co-creation process, successes and challenges we have experienced during our first months of operation, and will welcome conversations from communities we may be able to visit and/or from other institutes who currently have or are seeking to set up similar programs.
Elements of Engagement
Invite small-group conversations about how they would use a portable planetarium in their own institute/situation
Furthering decolonization and reconciliation via a portable planetarium
Somerville House, room 3315
The William J. McCallion Planetarium at McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada (established 1949), is pleased to share details of the first year of outreach initiatives and statistics from its new small (6m diameter) portable planetarium. The portable planetarium, purchased with funding from the Faculty of Science, was launched in June 2022, and has the primary goal of extending astronomy-based education and outreach initiatives to underserved and underrepresented communities off campus (to supplement the fixed planetarium on campus). The portable planetarium has also allowed us to continue our reconciliation efforts and astronomy collaborations with local Indigenous communities, resulting in the co-creation of one show and further shows in development. This presentation will highlight the co-creation process, successes and challenges we have experienced during our first months of operation, and will welcome conversations from communities we may be able to visit and/or from other institutes who currently have or are seeking to set up similar programs.