By Sue Sterling I Spring 2025 Brainerd Public Schools Magazine

Students of today are accustomed to looking down as they focus on their Chromebooks. Not in this class.

In this class, they look up at the dome, immersing themselves in the universe that surrounds them. They view real-time animations of the night sky, allowing them to see the exact positioning of planets and constellations. But it’s not just about planets, it’s about all the sciences middle schoolers need to study. The curriculum embraces life sciences, physical sciences and earth sciences, and can plunge them into earthquakes, natural disasters, climate change and weather phenomena.

The planetarium at Forestview Middle School has been in operation for 20 years with Tim Peabody as the current director of the program. He has spent 35 years teaching earth, life and physical sciences, but feels the planetarium takes teaching beyond words and virtually transports students into worlds beyond their digital devices. Their experience in this classroom enhances the aspects of learning that are much more engaging than reading a book or listening to a documentary.

Thanks to the continued support of Sourcewell, the planetarium is open to students in the five counties represented by Region 5: Cass, Crow Wing, Morrison, Todd and Wadena. ISD 181 would like to reach out to the surrounding communities to let them know the planetarium is available for their use. Communicating with the correct teachers has been a challenge, even with the information shared on websites. When Mr. Peabody makes a connection, he asks them to let their staff know there’s material for their kids to see at no cost to them. He lets them know Sourcewell will cover the transportation expenses to Forestview. However, coordinating the time and travel arrangements remains challenging.

Home school groups and Discovery Woods groups are welcome to use the planetarium as long as they are located in Region 5, but they have to pay for their own transportation. Adult evening groups can use the facility also, but with a small charge for evening or weekend groups to cover custodial costs.

State standards are strictly followed and are the same for all Region 5 schools. They are using cutting-edge technology in this state-of-the art facility, which incorporates programs created by or through NASA, European Space Organization, the James Webb Observatory and other Cloud resources.

Recently the planetarium was open to the public for viewing many of the laser light shows they offer. These 16 shows featured diverse musical platforms designed to appeal to a wide audience, ranging from Led Zeppelin to Taylor Swift, as well as Disney and The Wizard of Oz. Both the young and the old were mesmerized by the scenes and sounds as colorful creations bounced around the dome, changing size and shape frequently to match the tempo and mood of the music. It was an experience they won't soon forget.

The planetarium's success is largely due to the support of the community and the dedication of the staff to provide valuable educational experiences. The impact of the planetarium on students, who often leave with a better understanding of astronomical concepts, cannot be put into words.