for Educators

Rotation and Revolution

Grades 3-6 | Take a virtual trip from Earth’s surface into the solar system to see vividly how rotation and revolution produce the cyclical sky changes we see.

  • Strasenburgh Planetarium
  • Planetarium Digistar Presentation
  • 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade, 6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade, 9th Grade, 10th Grade, 11th Grade, 12th Grade
  • Physical Sciences, Earth Science, Space Science, Technology & Applications of Science

We compare and contrast Earth’s rotation, which makes day and night, and revolution, which makes our year. Using the Planetarium’s Digistar visualization system, we travel into space to get an intuitive understanding of Earth’s rotation on its axis and revolution around our Sun. As time allows, we take a brief tour of stars and planets visible in our current sky. Content can be adapted to the needs of your class; teachers should email Planetarium Director Steve Fentress at sfentress@rmsc.org for more information. 

Seating capacity may be limited in compliance with public health guidelines in effect on the day of your visit. Maximum capacity includes all students, teachers, aides, chaperones, parents, and siblings.

NYS Standards:

  • ESS1.B Earth and the Solar System.

NOTE: Teachers are invited to email Planetarium Director, Steve Fentress, at sfentress@rmsc.org before their visit to discuss how to tailor the presentation to their class.


How To Book

Need More Information?

  • Contact: Guest Services
  • Phone: 585.697.1942


When Is It?

  • Days Available: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
  • Start Date: 10/25/2023
  • End Date: 05/22/2024
  • Program Length: 40min. plus seating time
  • Earliest Start Time: 10am

Who Should Attend?

  • Grades: 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade, 6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade, 9th Grade, 10th Grade, 11th Grade, 12th Grade
  • Minimum Attendance: 15
  • Maximum Attendance: 90

How Much Does It Cost?

  • Planetarium Group Admission (for 1 show): $10 per person; 1 free adult with every 5 students; RMSC Member Adults free

    In-Person Lunch Fee: $30 per class, students are required to bring their own bag lunches