Ward Beecher Planetarium will receive $650,000

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Youngstown State University’s Ward Beecher Planetarium will receive $650,000 from a NASA agreement with Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

The five-year agreement gives $11.5 million to institutions such as the planetarium to expand citizen science and education activities.

The agreement is a collaboration with Cosmo Quest, an online virtual research facility that YSU has worked with since its launch in 2012. The online facility brings scientists, educators and software developers together to bring the public the kinds of visual opportunities usually found in traditional brick-and-mortar universities. Cosmo Quest will provide new, creative licensed content to YSU and other universities.

“We’re thrilled to continue to be part of Cosmo Quest and to contribute to the goals of STEM education for everybody,” said Patrick Durrell, YSU associate professor of astronomy and director of the planetarium.

The planetarium will use the money to develop video and 3-D animation projections in the dome of the planetarium. YSU plans to hire a content designer to create the video and animations, as well as a student to assist in developing the video and animations.

The funding will also upgrade the facility’s computing facilities and purchase a new, high-resolution full-dome video-camera system, Durrell said.

“Our participation in this project is a clear indication of the Ward Beecher Planetarium’s national reputation as a respected and notable science facility,” he added.