Portable sky lab is RVC school district's new star

An inflatable planetarium, which can easily be transported in an ordinary duffle bag, might be the Rockville Centre school district’s newest star. When earth science teacher Matthew Greenberg wrote a proposal for the planetarium, called Starlab, last year, he saw that as a distinct possibility.

“We thought that buying it would be a good idea …,” said the South Side Middle School teacher. “It can be used as a teaching tool for every grade level.”

Greenberg wrote the grant proposal — “Bringing Students to the Stars” — with a little bit of help. Since it was his first attempt at writing one, South Side Middle School Assistant Principal Rose Cammarata assisted him. When members of the Rockville Centre Education Foundation reviewed it, they, too, apparently agreed that buying the planetarium would benefit the district, so the foundation fully funded the request, to the tune of $15,000.

Now that it is owned by the school district, administrators hope that Starlab will leave a lasting impression on students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Administrators and faculty at the middle school unveiled it at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Feb. 10, when a select group of sixth-graders were invited to sit inside the inflatable dome and take part in a presentation of the stars and constellations.

The experience was both educational and exciting. “It’s like a virtual field trip,” said Chris Pellettieri, the district’s assistant superintendent of curriculum, who admitted to being amazed by the starry sight inside.

As students gazed at the visuals and listened to their teacher’s descriptions, Greenberg used a laser pointer to highlight the stars and constellations in the night sky — their names, their chemical compositions and their distances from Earth.

Pellettieri thanked the Education Foundation for agreeing that its purchase was the best decision for the district, in order to save on long-term rental costs. “We’re so grateful for the Education Foundation’s generosity,” he said. “They have worked so well with us over the years.”

Twenty to 30 students can fit inside the lab. It inflates like an air mattress and can be used for teaching subject areas other than astronomy, including social studies and mythology. “All the magic happens inside,” Greenberg said. “Kids are going to love the ‘bubble.’”