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Students from Brookside Elementary School tilted their head upward toward the dome of the Roton Planetarium and watched a comet fly through the sky and BOOM hit the earth. The Norwalk students roared with excitement as director Ralph Mackenstein explained the asteroid theory for why dinosaurs became extinct 65 million years ago. (He also talked about volcanoes and disease as possible causes). This, however, could be the last year that Norwalk students get to experience the boom" because the planetarium might close next year because of budget cuts.
The Robert B. Oliver Planetarium at Roton Middle School, named after a former mayor of Norwalk, was constructed in 1966, the same year the school was built. The 40-seat planetarium is one of six school planetariums in the state.
For the past 17 years, Mackenstein has presented programs for all of Norwalks first, second, third and fifth grade classes. He does 150 shows with more than 3,000 students visiting the planetarium each year. He hosts preschoolers and kindergartners, and the wider community for special astromonical events.
In addition to the third grade dinosaur show, Mackenstein has created shows about the day sky, the night sky and sun/earth/moon relationships. Mackenstein follows the planetarium presentations with classroom visits to reinforce his lessons.
I created these shows. They are directly tied to our curriculum, says Mackenstein, a certified teacher with master's level coursework in science. Most elementary teachers are not scientists. Im here to work with them.
Mackenstein gave the hourlong multimedia presentation about rocks, fossils and dinosaurs on Friday morning. I am astronomer, geologist and paleontologist, he told the students. As he turned on his star projector, he said, I have been watching the stars since I was 11. I know their names and the names of all the constellations.
Closing the planetarium would save the district $95,000. Because of the teacher unions seniority rules, Mackenstein wont lose his job and will continue as a science teacher. On the superintendents proposed cut list, the planetarium is No. 23 out of 30, meaning that its not listed as a priority for reinstating if funds become available.
Mackenstein advocates for the planetarium program by saying that it is cost effective. What other program with one teacher has an impact on 3,000 students?
Its enrichment thats free for our kids, says Brookside third grade teacher Jeff Beckley. It provides the kids with a special memory directly related to their lessons.
Lisa Thomson, the Roton PTO president and founder of Red Apples, a local education reform advocacy group, suggested finding a community partner such as a local university that could make the planetarium a revenue generator. We should get creative. Look at what is happening in this country, even NASA is being cut.
In 1994, Roton Principal Joseph Velucci hired Mackenstein to revamp the fledgling planetarium program. Ralph is a distinguished teacher that makes science come alive for students. The planetarium never made the cut list in previous years.
With America falling behind in science, it would be a great step backward if we were to lose this precious resource that inspires and motivates our future thinkers to reach for the stars, says Daniel Lucia, a fifth grade teacher at Naramake Elementary School.
Roton sixth grader Brendan Murtha spoke to the Board of Education on Tuesday evening against the closing of the planetarium. We should cherish the planetarium, it's totally unique," said Murtha who had visited the planetarium every year in elementary school. "Its so much better than a textbook, to learn the wonders of science first hand."
Do you think the Roton Planetarium should be cut?
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