Astronomy compels the soul to look upwards
and lead us from this world to another ~ Plato
Recognizing that science literacy is an urgent issue in California and the United States and that there is a need for interactive
science education for the youth of the local community,
the Orange Coast College Foundation has embarked on an effort
to fund a new planetarium at Orange Coast College.
WHY BUILD A NEW PLANETARIUM AT ORANGE COAST COLLEGE?
• Members of an excellent astronomy faculty at Orange Coast have long hungered for such a teaching facility to give students a truly remarkable experience in understanding the cosmos.
• The original and very small planetarium classroom, built in 1957, has not been usable for a decade because of asbestos issues and the fact that the projection mechanism is completely non-functional.
• There is a real need to encourage students – all students – to get involved in the sciences and few experiences motivate and inspire as much as does a planetarium, with its examination of the mysteries of space, space travel, engineering, and a host of related scientific topics.
• To remain competitive and ensure competiveness in the global marketplace, it is vital that we educate and inspire the youth of our community to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math.
•
No planetarium exists along the Orange County coast which provides such an experience.
WHO WILL THE OCC PLANETARIUM SERVE?
• Elementary school students in planetarium shows every day from 9 am to noon. Every 5th grader in the Coast District elementary schools would have an opportunity to participate in an OCC Planetarium experience related to the California Content Standards for astronomy.
• College astronomy classes would be offered from noon to 5 pm. The planetarium could also be used by the college as a regular large-group instructional classroom.
• In the evenings, particularly weekends, the CCCD community would be invited to planetarium shows.
HOW CAN YOU PARTICIPATE?
If you would like to contribute to the building fund please call the Orange Coast College Foundation office at 714-432-5126 or contribute by mail at:
Orange Coast College Foundation
2701 Fairview Rd
Costa Mesa, Ca 92626