CHADRON – During its first year of operation, the Dr. Lois Veath Planetarium in the Math Science Center of Innovative Learning (COIL) served 2,404 people, according to Kinsley Mason, an Instructor in Physical Sciences who will be managing the planetarium for Chadron State College this academic year. The attendance was more than double the final year the planetarium operated in Math Science before its renovation and expansion.
The highest month of attendance between Sept. 2022 and July 2023 was April 2023 with 612 people. Attendance for Friday sessions was 486. These Friday programs were designed to attract K-12 students on afternoons when Chadron Public Schools dismissed students early. Additionally, the planetarium hosted 43 school visits from Nebraska, Wyoming, South Dakota, and one student group from Alaska.
Mason said the Earth, Moon, and Sun show was the most popular with younger crowds, while Oasis In Space, a tour of the solar system with a focus on sources of water throughout our solar system, was popular with the general public.
“I had so many people tell me they either worked in the old planetarium or had visited it and how beautiful our new facilities are. A lot of them had never been in a 360-degree theater before and it really blew them away. I also received compliments on the public speaking abilities of our student workers. They were such a great help and now have the experience to make this year even better,” Mason said.
Carrie Drake of Omaha and Gunnar Wainscott of Newcastle, Wyoming, ran the majority of the shows. Alec Langan of McCook, Nebraska, a member of the Familia club, presented the two shows available in Spanish.
The first-year success of the planetarium is fostering conversations with various potential partners for more collaborative events like the guitar ensemble performance April 28.
“That was such a pleasure and the turnout exceeded expectations. We loved it so much that we have already booked the guitar ensemble for the spring 2024 semester. I am also bringing back wellness events for students where we have guided meditations and allow them to sit and unwind while listening to music and watching visuals on the dome,” Mason said.
Other planned events include the second Creepy COIL Crawl on Halloween. During the inaugural event last year, faculty, staff, and students dressed up, provided treats, and hosted games for children.
Mason said the handicapped accessibility features of the new planetarium have been appreciated by visitors.
“Parents of younger kiddos can wheel them and their siblings right up to the door. It has also helped folks in wheelchairs or with mobility issues like crutches feel comfortable coming to our shows,” Mason said.
Mason said with the help of the One Sky Project and the Fiske Planetarium at CU-Boulder, the planetarium is adding the following shows that will premier during Free Fridays: MUSCLES, One Sky Project, Forward! To the Moon, Worlds of Curiosity, Drifting North – The Arctic Pulse, 5000 Eyes: Mapping the Universe with DESI, and Cosmic Mashups.