Mark Butler

Environmental Education Resource Teacher

Curriculum & Instruction

District School Board of Pasco County

Overview• Components

• Setup and Takedown Procedures

• Entry & Exit Procedures

• Operational Procedures

• Safety

StarLab Components

1. Lamp2. Lamp Case3. Canister4. Duffle Bag5. Blower/Fan6. Canister Case7. Curriculum

Guide

11. Accessory Box

Constellation Canister

Greek Mythology Canister

Native American Mythology Canister

Plate Tectonics Canister

Celestial Coordinates Canister

• A full projection of 3000 stars are displayed here against a background of the celestial coordinates, the ecliptic and the galactic equator. Right ascension is marked in 1 hour intervals, declination at 10° intervals, with processional axis plus or minus 13,000 year increments. Extremely useful for angular measurement, location of faint celestial objects and spherical geometry.

• Applications: Physics, telescope use, positional astronomy, celestial navigation and precession at the junior high through college level.

StarLab Accommodations

• Standard Dome– 11ft Ceiling

• 10ft possible

– Area• 18’ x 21’

– Floor• Carpet

– Room• Noise

– Minimal

• Light– NA

• Temperature– Normal

– Electricity

Safety Procedures• No open flame or point heat source such as an incandescent light

bulb, radiant heater in or near the dome. • No smoking in or near the dome.• No food or drink inside the STARLAB.• Never leave projection cylinders lying loose on the floor. • Always set up the STARLAB indoors. • Instructor is first in and last out.• Always make sure that there is a clear path out of the STARLAB in the

event of an emergency.• Never set up the dome so that it is on the edge of a stage where

individuals might fall off.• Always show occupants how to quickly exit underneath the dome wall

in the event of an emergency. • Do not use the entrance tunnel to evacuate the dome in the event of

an emergency.

Emergency Procedures

• Have all visitors stand up and move toward the center of the dome.

• Grasp the edge of the dome fabric directly opposite the side of the STARLAB where the inflation and entrance tubes are located.

• Lift the fabric up and over the visitors so the dome flips over onto itself.

• Exit the collapsing dome.

Starlab Setup

• 10 to 30 minutes– if completely packed up

• Check for Squares!

Projector Setup

• Use Storage Box• Cover Cords• Be prepared

– Have all canisters ready

Tips to Entering & Exiting

• Stay Low and Go Slow

• Teacher is first in & last out– 2 Teachers is ideal

• Have a flashlight and use it

• 5 second rule

• Accessory lighting?

• Carpet Squares?

Tips For Inside the Dome

• Stay Put

• Dark Vision– Warn students before

switching canisters or turning on a light

• Don’t block fan input

Things to watch for

• Vertigo• Claustrophobia• Myctophobia/

Nyctophobia/Scotophobia

• Inappropriate Behavior/Clothing

• Sharp Objects