GLPA: Resources

Note: If you would like to submit a printed resource, download and print the waiver form (pdf), and send it to Geoff Holt (address) along with a hard copy of the resource. Please also consider sending the document as a computer file if you have it. Resources submitted are subject to approval by the Instructional Materials Committee.

Jump down to:	Scripts	Images	Show Kits
Videos	Resource Materials	Proceedings	Tips Booklets

Order form for Printed Resources

An order form is available for requesting printed materials. The form is a PDF file which can be viewed and printed easily with Acrobat Reader (free from Adobe). Print the form, fill it out, and send the form with your check to the address listed on the form.

Special note: some of the printed resources may be made available free to members as a PDF file. This pdf file can be attached to an email message, and read and printed by Acrobat Reader (free from Adobe). Look on the lists below to see if the printed material is available as a digital file.

GLPA Script Bank

The script bank contains over three hundred planetarium scripts from across the United States and abroad, covering a multitude of topics and spanning age levels from kindergarten to adult. For information or ordering, contact Geoff Holt (gholt@madison.k12.wi.us).

The On-line Script Bank Index is available here. It's in a web table format (file size = 111 k). You can use your browser's search function on the information there.

GLPA Image Bank

The current selection of over 1,000 images in the GLPA Image Bank may be provided electronically to GLPA members. These resources are also available to non-members for an additional 10% fee.

Digital Image/Slide Files: The images are provided as high resolution image files attached to an email message. This service is free to GLPA members. Simply fill out the Online Electronic Image Bank Order Form. As time allows, they will be scanned and sent to you. Refer to the image catalog below to browse the images.

Image Catalog: You can download the image catalog and view thumbnails of the images. To view the image catalog you will need a FREE program called iView Catalog Reader (Mac and Windows). The catalog is also available for viewing and selection at the annual conference in the fall. More information is available on the Slide Bank FAQ (pdf) from the 2005 conference.

For more information contact:
Dave Leake
William M. Staerkel Planetarium
Parkland College
2400 West Bradley Avenue
Champaign, IL 61821-1806
Phone: (217) 351-2567
E-mail: dleake@parkland.edu

GLPA Show Kits

The Great Lakes Planetarium Association occasionally produces a planetarium program and makes it available to members on a cost recovery basis. These programs remain available to until supplies run out. Most of these kits would cost an additional 10% fee for non-members (see each show kit for details). To order one of these shows, choose one of the following options:

NOTE: Most of these show kits are only available as a digital show package; however, you can send/upload the digital images to a company like Gamma Tech and have them make slides for you.

The Stargazer: learn about the lives of stars and astronomers in this excellent program for middle school to adult. (Show length = 37 min.)

Transit of Venus: a collection of resources related to the June 8, 2004 transit. This program will also be an excellent resource beyond this specific event. [This program is available to non-members without the 10% non-member fee.]

Hotter Than Blue: a planetarium program about high-energy astronomy, and aimed at high school audiences and up.

Saving the Night: a show produced by the Southeastern Planetarium Association (SEPA), it was written & narrated by David Levy, shows the treasure of the dark night sky, and teaches the problems and solutions to light pollution. [This program is available to non-members without the 10% non-member fee.]

Amazing Stargazing: learn all the sky watching basics in this program aimed at grades 1-4.
[This program was donated by the former Minneapolis Planetarium.]

Hercules & Other Superhero Stars: an introduction to the basics of stars as taught by the stars, for a target audience of grades 1-4.
[This program was donated by the former Minneapolis Planetarium.]

Once in a Blue Moon: explore concepts related to the moon in this program aimed at grades 1-4.
[This program was donated by the former Minneapolis Planetarium.]

3,2,1...Blast Off: this delightful solar system program is aimed at grades 1-4.
[This program was donated by the former Minneapolis Planetarium.]

Space Dreams: explore the universe in this program for audiences in grades 5 to adult.
[This program was donated by the former Minneapolis Planetarium.]

Winter Wonders: explore the mystery of the Star of Bethlehem, Winter Solstice, and more in this program for grades 1 and up.
[This program was donated by the former Minneapolis Planetarium.]

Magical Millennium Tour (or "Time Bandits"): a program about time [day, month, year, etc] for grades 3 and up.
[This program was donated by the former Minneapolis Planetarium.]

Let There Be Night: a planetarium program or stand-alone video addressing the problem of light pollution, and outdoor lighting issues. The Great Lakes Planetarium Association sponsored the development of this program in celebration of the International Year of Astronomy. For a complete description of this program and the contents of this kit, visit the Let There Be Night web site. Or, go straight to the GLPA On-Line Store. [This program is available to non-members without the 10% non-member fee.]

GLPA Videos

Rumplestiltskin's Starry Secret: This video (DVD) explains the origins of the elements, in stars and supernovae. [This program is also available to non-members without the additional 10% fee.]

Clyde Tombaugh: Clyde Tombaugh, discoverer of the “former planet” Pluto, gave an invited talk (with slide show) at the 1988 GLPA conference.

Transit of Mercury: video shot from Nevada of the November 8, 2006 transit of Mercury.

Animations by Dan Tell: computer generated animations which can be used in show production.

GLPA Resource Materials

The Resource Materials Bank is library of materials includes curriculum guides for various programs, lesson plans and activities, bibliographies and papers on certain subjects, and more.

GLPA Proceedings

The Proceedings is an annual publication which provides the printed version of the talks, speeches, addresses, papers and other presentations at the annual fall conference. Other articles submitted during the year may also be published in the Proceedings. The Proceedings has been published each year since 1984. A comprehensive index of the Proceedings from 1984 through 1993 is available as a separate publication. As of the shipping of the 2004 Proceedings CD, all current members now receive an archive of all these past proceedings after each conference. However, if you are not a GLPA member, you can order the latest Proceedings CD for $3 + the 10% non-member fee. Order through the On-Line Store, or using the order form.
Now, you may also browse or search through abstracts of the papers on-line.

TIPS Booklets

TIPS booklets are single concept reference guides on a variety of subjects of interest for the beginning planetarian to the seasoned professional.

GLPA Instructional Materials Library