1. Why should you invite SPACETIME astronomy to your school?
Because it is just so easy, safe and risk-free. We simply require a large room or a gymnasium and a 240v power supply to set up the entire system in your school. No buses to arrange, no students to manage in unfamiliar surrounds, no fear of inclement weather, no personal management risk for the teachers, no night excursions. The students and their teachers simply enter the dome through the special airlock, take a seat and enjoy the educational experience - it's that simple.
2. Are the displays suitable for the students' learning program?
Yes. Each display is tailored to suit the curriculum for each year group. Our presenter is an astronomer with over ten years experience and formal astronomy qualifications from Swinburne Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing. The result is an interactive display that teachers will find to be extremely valuable in reinforcing the curriculum.
3. Where can the theatre be set up in our school?
The dome theatre needs a room or hall with a clear space of 6 metres wide by 7 metres long, and a clear height of 3.3 metres at the very top of the dome. Due to the nature of the portable theatre it will not be possible to set it up outside. Most school halls, libraries, gymnasiums and some classrooms are more than adequate to house the theatre.
4. How much does the presentation cost?
The cost of a visit to your school is very reasonable. We come to you, so the only cost involved is the cost for hire of the dome. The cost to schools for hiring the dome is $395 per half day or $695 for a full day. This works out at about $3.80 per child based upon 6 shows during a full day's hire.
5. How many people fit in the dome?
The dome has a recommended capacity of 30 students.
6. How long does it take to set up and take down?
The dome and projection system takes roughly 40 minutes to set up. Your presenter will arrive around one hour prior to the first display to ensure everything is fine, and to answer any questions before any students arrive. It will take approximately the same time to pack away.
7. How do I get in? Do I have to crawl?
You enter through the special airlock. This airlock allows you to walk in without having to bend down and crawl in, like other systems.
8. Is it accessible to people with physical restrictions?
Because of its unique design, our dome can accommodate visitors who use wheelchairs, have walkers or are otherwise physically restricted. Instead of using the entrance airlock, people with disabilities can enter and exit the planetarium by going under the edge of the dome with the assistance of a second person.
9. Is it hot or stuffy in there?
The dome theatre has no climate control of its own; the room temperature where the dome is set up determines the temperature inside the dome. Though because the fan keeps the air circulating continuously through the dome, it is usually several degrees cooler inside the dome than out. Even so, in very hot climates, it is best to set up the dome in an air-conditioned room.
10. Can we get out fast if we need to?
Yes, in seconds. All visitors stand up and move toward the centre of the dome. We grasp the edge of the dome fabric and lift it up and over the visitors, so the dome flips over onto itself. Once in motion, the fabric should continue to bunch up on itself so it falls to the floor. The visitors then duck down and walk quickly through the opening we create. In just seconds, the entire group can be evacuated.
