StarLab The Process

Space Requirements
- Flat space 20 x 21’ and 12’ high.
- The top of the dome can not touch the ceiling as it will change the curve of the stars.
- The top of dome needs to be away from direct contact from overhead lighting material may melt.
- The floor needs to be clean of debris, dirt/pebbles may cause friction = holes in fabric.
Safety Issues
- Students may wear shoes inside the dome as most of the bottom is hollowed-out.
- Be careful not to trip when entering and leaving tunnel, it’s dark!
- Sit so your backs/feet are not touching the sides of the dome, it stretches the images.
- Walk into the tunnel and turn left, follow the curve of the dome until you see a box. Sit knee to knee with your classmates, facing toward the center of the circle.
- Place the projector lid in front of the fan hole to distract students from sitting in front/crawling in.
- If electricity fails, check all connections first. Dome deflates slowly.
- To remove students quickly in case of a fire/drill, have students move to center of circle, lift wall opposite the air tunnel to dump the dome.
Setting up the Dome
1. Check location of power outlet for extension cord and power strip.
2. Decide where you need the entrance tube (traffic) and fan (power supply).
3. Clean floor space – grit causes holes in fabric.
4. Remove dome from storage bag and remove straps.
5. Unroll dome – orient fan and entrance tunnels.
6. Remove fan from box, snap into fabric – the feet may rest on fabric insides.
7. Turn fan on high for set up – turn to medium for demonstration (it’s loud).
8. As dome inflates, spread out sides and tunnels – look for the center disk at top.
9. Open projector box, remove extension cord, power strip, and lights.
10. Slide projector box carefully under dome with lights and other needed materials.
11. Plug power strip into extension cord, plug into wall. This can be used for lamp.
12. Place all cords by fan tunnel, away from student seating.
13. Turn on light and enter the dome.
Setting up the Projector
1. Place projector lid on floor in front of fan tunnel.
2. Remove projector from box.
3. Guide projector box to center of circle, with exposed area facing the fan hole.
4. Cylinder storage should be on the left as you face the open box.
5. Carefully place projector atop box, with controls facing fan tunnel.
6. Unwind projector cord, remove base support, bulb cap, and mesh netting.
7. Place all (above) material on shelf in box for storage.
8. Plug projector into power strip.
9. Test side lamps, projector bulb, and motor. (Notes: Lamp must be on for power. If bulb doesn’t light, check: rear connectors, power strip, bulb wires and fuse)
10. Unpack flashlight and pointer, check for proper operation.
11. Wear gloves! – Using hole in base of Starfield cylinder, remove it and place it on projector. If cylinder does not align with projector it will sit unevenly. Slowly rotate the cylinder while holding the base until it drops into place.
12. Turn on side lamps and stars. Align Polaris with top center of dome.
13. Remove proper sun plug, tilt projector to proper latitude, add moon and planets.
Packing up the StarLab
1. Move projector box lid away from fan tunnel. Exit dome and turn off fan.
2. Walk to the long wall of dome, halfway between entrance and fan tunnels. Lift bottom edge of the dome so that it rides the escaping air across to the other side, collapsing the dome.
3. Unplug the fan and the extension cord.
4. Make sure all projector switches are off. Remove cylinder from projector and place in projector box (hole out).
5. Replace all projector supports and light bulb mesh and covers.
6. Unplug power connections. Wrap cord around projector base.
7. Gently place projector on floor near box. Lay box flat and put projector in compartment.
8. Coil extension cord small enough to fit on top projector.
9. Utilize photographs/packing list for: pointer, flashlight, cords, projector, etc.
10. Unsnap fan from dome and place in box.
11. Fold fan tunnel over the rest of dome. Fold dome over entrance tunnel. (This leaves the entrance tunnel visible when unpacking.)
12. Roll dome towards entrance tunnel, keeping roll as narrow as length of the dome bag.
13. Fasten roll with two black straps to cinch dome smaller, make sure the buckles do not dig into/scratch dome fabric.
14. Zip one end of the bag partially closed. Stand rolled dome in closed end bag. Zip closed.
15. Close both box lids and place on cart with duffle on top.
Helpful Hints
- Before entering the StarLab, meet outside to chat.
- Line students up in a circle to go over some star facts and some expectations.
- Remind that voices carry because it is a dome, not flat walled - whispers can be distracting!
- Remind them to not touch the walls, with their fingers, feet or backs.
- Remind them it’s very dark (some might be scared of the dark). Practice the pirate trick (cover one eye) and that eye will get used to the darkness quicker.
- Describe how to walk into the dome: pick one person to be the leader, follow that leader!
- Crawl carefully into tunnel and turn left. Follow side wall to the box and have a seat on the floor. Everyone will be knee to knee, but not pushing. The last one in will make sure the door is closed so the StarLab doesn't lose air.
- When everyone is seated inside, and the lights are bright, ask everyone to close their eyes and pretend… (fill in a story that relates). The closing of their eyes helps adjust their pupils as well as allows you to rotate the stars without nausea.
- When changing the cylinders, turn up the lights and turn down the stars to prevent vertigo.
- Have teacher open the door and hold the grommet for students, to prevent tripping and tearing of fabric.

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Page Navigation

StarLab The Process

Space Requirements

Safety Issues

Setting up the Dome

Setting up the Projector

Packing up the StarLab

Helpful Hints