Mobile planetarium brings immersive experience to local school
JACKSON, Tenn. — Students at a local elementary school are soaring through dozens of galaxies to learn more about science.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to step into space? Students at Jackson Christian Elementary had the chance to travel through dozens of galaxies Thursday.
“We can look at the current night sky. We can look at any sky you want to. We can travel deep through space. We can look close and local at the planets. We can go deep and look at other galaxies and that’s exactly what these kids will do,” said Billy Hix, retired astronomy researcher for NASA.
Hix has always been fascinated by the night sky. As a young boy he would refer to stars in the sky, as his ‘friends.’ Growing up, he said science was not accessible or acceptable in his elementary school. Hix had two goals in life: To look into a telescope and to visit a planetarium.
He promised his mother he would teach children what he was often shamed for being intrigued by. Now, Hix has visited more 75,000 students in schools around the state, and with him, he brings along his mobile planetarium.
“We are just blessed to have him and so excited to see the outcome and the children’s excitement when they get to go into the planetarium and actually see the night sky,” said Jeanna Rice, director of Jackson Christian Elementary.
Each year, the Tennessee Stem Innovation Network selects 10 schools in east and west Tennessee for demonstrations that teach students about astronomy and science.
“They provide funding for us to travel that far, spend the night. Whatever the costs are involved, and that way we can provide this for students,” said Hix.
Hix starts the presentation before it gets dark. Children inside the planetarium watch as it gets dark and then see the constellations come out.
“I still get goosebumps when I hear lots of ‘Oohs’ and ‘Ahhs.’ I hear lots of ‘Oohs’ and ‘Ahhs’ because, for the most part, the kids are going to see sights that they have never seen before,” said Hix.
This isn’t the first time he’s been to Jackson Christian Elementary, and in a much different world now than in the late 1960’s, schools are welcoming him and his vast knowledge.
“It is just such a rich opportunity for our students, our faculty and for our community. He goes to rural schools but to be able to say, ‘Hey, I want to come back here and I want to do that.’ It’s a blessing to us,” said Rice.
And the students are fully immersed in the experience.
“And that’s what the real goal of this is. Not to turn anybody into an astronomer but to show you if you study hard, and work hard, the world is a whole lot more interesting,” said Hix.
Hix said each year, there are more than 200 requests from area schools for his demonstrations inside of the planetarium.
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