McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center Programs
As the NASA Educator Resource Center for New Hampshire, educators of all grade levels can access NASA workshops, educator briefs and guides, astronomy software, videos, posters and more. For more information, resource center hours or special requests, contact mcameron@starhop.com.
On the first Friday of the
month, NH Astronomical Society volunteers set up telescopes on the Discovery Center lawn for viewing of
planets and constellations, followed by an astronomy lecture.
Their "Starhop" van makes visits to schools, clubs, and other venues to present shows on space science. In summer, they offer daily and week-long on-site Science and Astronomy camps, helping students of all ages develop skills in STEM disciplines.
McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center
The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center pays tribute to two famous New Hampshire space pioneers — Christa McAuliffe, NASA's teacher-in-Space, and Alan Shepard, America's first astronaut.
Exhibits include a large-scale space shuttle model with external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters, a virtual expedition to Mars, a weather forecasting exhibit, and a look at Earth in comparison to planets and moons in our solar system. AND THERE'S MORE...
Redstone Plaza features a full-sized replica of a Mercury-Redstone Rocket and an interactive exhibit telling the story of the Space Race and Alan Shepard's 1961 flight as the first American-in-Space.
A 103 seat theatre uses state-of-the-art Digital Sky technology, a full-dome video system, and a database of over 110,000 stars and planetary objects.
They host student Astronomy Bowls and Sky Watches (both in Concord and at the Rey Center in Waterville Valley), space camps and science festivals; and every Friday is a SuperStellar Fridays with community programs on current science topics.
Student guests are encouraged to "Apply to Fly..." at a Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama.
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Each spring the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center celebrates space sciences and aeronautics with an Aerospace Festival.
And they're living green—they were recognized with an Energy Efficiency in State Government award for realizing a 34% reduction in energy consumption, largely by upgrading theater technology and installing LED cove lighting. Their new facility is designed to exceed environmental standards by 20%, making use of recycled materials and minimizing environmental impact.
Their programs also foster environmental awareness. "Breathing Space" shows a few realities of climate change. Ice Worlds demonstrates the delicate balance of Earth's climate and global warming impacts on the worlds' polar caps.