I would like to discuss strategies for participation within planetarium programs. The planetarium is not only a theater in which passive audiences can hear lectures and see demonstrations. It is also a classroom in which people of all ages can benefit from involvement. Participatory programs have been advocated in the US since the early 1970’s, and the idea has grown and spread.

One participatory method involves drawing. For example, an elementary school group can draw a planet group for two or three different times. The psychological value of learning by drawing is well known. And drawing positions of stars and planets with appropriate labels produces take-home sky charts. Families can and do use them to learn astronomy and enjoy the sky together.