Traveling Planetarium

Booking zones & dates:

Our live and interactive programs can be brought to your school or location of choice in our traveling ExploraDome. You can schedule multiple grades (PreK–12) and up to seven interactive programs on the same day. An empty gym, auditorium, or cafeteria is a great location for the ExploraDome. Minimum clear space requirements of 31’ x 31’ and a 14’ ceiling are required. Indoor use only. The ExploraDome is wheelchair accessible.

ExploraDome booking form

To book a visit:

1. Check the ExploraDome tour dates to see when it will be in your area.
2. Ensure your facility can meet the visit requirements listed below.
3. Read through all of the important reminders, cost information, and scheduling details below.
4. Request a reservation by filling out this form to the best of your ability – it is ok to skip items you don’t know yet. If you need additional assistance, email bell-exploradome@umn.edu. Filling out this form does not guarantee you will receive a date for programming. 
5. We will be in touch with you about the status of your request.
6. Once the reservation details are finalized, we’ll send you a visit agreement for signature.
7. Please complete all paperwork within 4 weeks of receiving a date for programming.
   

Booking Rates:

• Please note: The ExploraDome needs to stay set up and undisturbed in a locked room in-between programming. Multiple days of programming must be booked consecutively.

For any booking outside tour dates and areas, an additional $0.625 per mile travel fee will apply (mileage fee is based on current federal mileage rate).

Visit requirements

We cannot set up the ExploraDome if your facility does not meet the following minimum requirements per the State Fire Marshal.

• There must be 14 feet or higher ceiling clearance so sprinkler heads, smoke detectors and light fixtures will not be compromised.
• Minimum room dimensions must be 31’x31’ to allow for a safe emergency egress of three feet around the entire planetarium.
• Two grounded 120-volt standard electrical outlets on separate circuits are required to power the dome. We may need to run extension cords across the floor.
• The ExploraDome can only be set up indoors
• Equipment arrives in heavy, wheeled cases. A ramp, large elevator or level entry is required—no stairs.
• Four adults are required to be available to help Exploradome staff unload, setup, take down, and load the equipment.
• Staff will need a 10-minute break between each session to reset the theater.

Total setup time: 1 hour
Total take-down time: 1 hour

Booking outside of tour dates

Bookings are only guaranteed for schools and organizations within each zone during the scheduled zone’s week. Requests outside of the pre-determined travel schedule will be assessed on an ongoing basis if the ExploraDome becomes available.

Scholarships

Scholarships are offered on a pay-what-you-can model based on financial need. You may request a scholarship and provide information about your financial need in the ExploraDome booking form.

To receive a scholarship, you must meet established qualifications for free & reduced lunch and/or:

• Explain (1-2 sentences) circumstances, financial or other.
• Identify how much you are able to pay. If a scholarship is awarded, it will meet the balance of the cost based on the indicated ability to pay.

Weather travel policy

We may postpone a visit due to extreme weather conditions. These decisions are made based on the National Weather Service’s alert system and local school closings. We will use the contact number you provide to notify you in the event of a postponement, and will reschedule the visit at no cost.

• Program Length: Pre-K and kindergarten programs are 30 minutes; grades 1 and up are 40 minutes. It takes 5 – 10 minutes to get the group inside the dome and the shows are 20 and 30 minutes long, respectively.
  
• Group Size per Program: 32 elementary schoolers, 25 middle schoolers or families/multigenerational audiences, or 20 high schoolers, young adults, and adults per show maximum
• Program Schedule: We require 10 minute breaks in between each of the 20 and/or 40 minute programs, a 30 minute lunch break for the ExploraDome educator, 1 hour for set up before the first program, and 45 minutes for take down after the last program. You can schedule multiple grades (PreK–12) and up to seven interactive programs on the same day.

A gym, auditorium, or cafeteria is a great location for the ExploraDome. Minimum room dimensions of 31’ x 31’ and a 14’ ceiling, clear of any low-hanging fixtures such as lights or projectors are required. Indoor use only.

The ExploraDome is a unique environment, but please be mindful of the following tips to improve your group’s experience:

Flooring

The dome has no floor so we recommend setting up on carpet or mats for students’ comfort. Please make sure the floor is clean and mats, if being used, are in place prior to setting up the dome.

Fans

It can get warm inside the dome, even in an air conditioned room, so a fan is helpful to keep air moving during and between presentations.

Lights

If we can dim the lights in the room and/or pull window shades, we can keep the dome’s entry open, which helps keep the interior cool.

Behavior

• Visitors should not touch any equipment, and no food, drink or gum is allowed.
• Voices are amplified inside the dome and even quiet chatter makes for a noisy environment.
• Some visitors may feel dizzy at times due to the motions of the images. If that happens, they should close their eyes for a few seconds and it will pass.

Media/Press

You are welcome to invite the local press to see the ExploraDome program. This can help with fundraising for this and future school programs.

How much does the ExploraDome cost?

Flat daily rate for booking: $750 (+$100 labor fee)

• 7 show maximum per day
• $100 labor fee for travel/setup/takedown for all bookings
• Day two discount of $300 half day or $600 full day, no additional fees
• If booked outside of area tour dates, an additional 0.625 per mile travel cost will be added (based on current federal mileage rate)

Do you travel outside of the Twin Cities?

Yes! Our priority is to reach communities outside of the Twin Cities. Check our tour dates to see when we will be in your area. 

Please note that we may postpone a visit due to extreme weather conditions. These decisions are based on the National Weather Service’s alert system and local school closings. We will notify your primary contact in the event of a postponement, and reschedule at no cost.

For what ages is the ExploraDome appropriate?

All ages, from Pre-K through adult.

How long are presentations and can we change the type of program for each group?

Pre-K and kindergarten programs are 30 minutes; grades 1 and up are 40 minutes. It takes 5 – 10 minutes to get the group inside the dome and the shows are 20 and 30 minutes long, respectively.

We require 10 minute breaks in between each of the 20 and/or 40 minute programs, a 30 minute lunch break for the ExploraDome educator, 1 hour for set up before the first program, and 45 minutes for take down after the last program.

You may schedule multiple programs of different ages and topics during the same visit. We are unable to change the programs on the day-of our visit.

Can the ExploraDome stay at a school for an after school or evening event?

Yes. The same pricing and program options apply. The cost is $750 for the day plus a $100 labor fee for set up, take down, and travel, and a maximum of 7 shows per day. 

You may also book a second day of programming for a discounted rate. The second day pricing is $300 for a half day or $600 for a full day, no additional fees.

The ExploraDome will need to stay set up and undisturbed in the same locked room overnight or during “off” hours. We cannot set up and take down the ExploraDome more than one time during a visit.

Can I schedule the ExploraDome for an evening or weekend event?

Yes. The rate is the same for evenings and weekends. Reservations must be made four weeks in advance.

Who is responsible for setting up and taking down the dome?

Bell Museum staff give the presentations and do most of the set up/take down. However, we require four adults to assist in unloading and loading the equipment.

Where should we set up the dome?

A gym, auditorium, library, or cafeteria is a good place for the dome. Please set it up in a quiet place, with no other activities in the same room.

The dome is 14 feet tall and 25 feet in diameter. State Fire Marshall regulations require a room of minimum dimensions 31′ x 31′ and a 14′ ceiling free of any low-lying fixtures such as lights or projectors. Please measure the height of the ceiling from its lowest point if you think it might be close! We will not be able to set up if the minimum dimensions are not met.

Can the dome be set up outside?

No. The dome and projection equipment are not weatherproof.

Please contact bell-exploradome@umn.edu with any further questions.