Outreach to Space

Presented in partnership with the JANE BROWNE PETERSEN FUND

Initially made possible by a grant from the National Science Foundation, OUTREACH TO SPACE was designed as a collaborative project among ten U.S. museums and the respected exhibit designers at San Francisco’s Exploratorium. Built to withstand the rigors of family experimentation exhibition teaches adults and children about Space and Space travel through hands-on exploration.

One popular exhibit, Different Worlds, Different Weights, allows guests to compare the weight of an apple on Earth against the weight of an apple on other bodies in the Solar System. Another star attraction is Space Colony, which encourages children to use LEGO® brand blocks and a lot of imagination to construct their own visions for the future of Space exploration. Children and adults alike enjoy experimenting with Pressure Suit, allowing them to pump air out of the exhibit chamber and to observe two “Bug Out Bob” aliens inside, one fitted with a pressurized helmet and one exposed to the dropping pressure. Space suits worn by astronauts serve many important functions, including shielding the body from the vacuum of Space. Without a pressurized suit, the human body would expand to about two times its normal size.

From 2007 - 2010, the Outreach to Space project traveled to 35 fairs, festivals, and community events in the Tri-State area. From county fairs to classrooms to libraries, OTS brought Space travel down to Earth for the 21,985 people who viewed it during its three years of grant-supported touring. After the exhibition, Outreach to Space will be available for rental to area groups for special events and programs. Contact  Mitch Luman, at 812-425-2406 for pricing and available dates.