What programs and topics can we see ?

To mesh your curriculum to your planetarium visit, you can select the most appropriate program for your students.
The program library (still under construction) lists titles and topics of all offerings.
I'm happy to help if you have trouble selecting later too.
You can always select the "Not Sure Yet" option on the request.

(Wausau School District only) As part of our guaranteed and viable curriculum you must select the program the same grade as your class.

When can I bring my class ?

• - School days (Monday - Friday): AM and PM bus traffic creates an impassible situation.
          8:30am-2:30pm & 3:30-5pm 

• No less than 3 weeks from today to allow for processing time.

• Leave 30 minutes of passing time between other programs. (10-20 minutes if you have multiple programs in a row) 
  Please don't schedule your group to start precisely when a different group is ending.

• Wausau First Student' Busing?
  Past driver shortage blackout times have been lifted however...
  Still a good idea to target your visit with start times  > 9am and < 12:45pm.
  -  Bus pick up no earlier than 8:45am.
  -  Bus drop off no later than 2pm.
  Outside of these times, please converse with building admin assistant and/or First Student. 

• With the above criteria, if it's open on the online calendar, you can place a request there. 

How many people can you bring ?

We have 48 seats and are strictly limited to 48 people by fire code.
Please note that wheelchairs, with their inherent seat, can not add additional people.
- To qualify for school fee rate, your bus must be filled with nearly all children, with a few chaperones.
Example: If your group has a large percentage of adults/parents needing parking for many cars, then you qualify as a "group" program.

how long is the visit ?

Normal programs run 1 hour in the planetarium, unless specified.
Transit time to and from your bus adds time to your total visit.

How is the Planetarium accessibility  ?

See maps below for front entrance access routes depending on your group's needs.
Inside, there are 4-5 wheelchair parking spaces in the front row with AC outlet near by.

Where do we park ?

As a school group one of the qualifications is to use a bus but some small schools only need a few cars and should park in 'Guest parking.'
If you intend to have more than 5 cars, you will not all fit into guest parking.... You MUST inform me at least 48 hours so I can alert WPD parking enforcement to not issue parking tickets.
Parking can be limited at times. Fill in order: 1) guest parking then 2) the grassy side of frontage road then 3) Staff parking lot (Yellow on map below). If you have more than 10 cars, you no longer qualify as a school group. Please see Private Groups. 

What if you feel certain topics aren't acceptable for your group ?

"Our primary mission is science education, we use the language and facts determined by science in our programs. Requests to suspend scientific concepts or ban the speaker from discussing them both in programs and from guest's questions, are not possible. Concerned guests are asked to read this policy and carefully review the program outline to determine if a visit is right for them."

What is the cost and how is payment handled ?

100% of the Planetarium's budget is your visit so thank you for investing in future programs.
(Wausau School District only)  Do not arrange to pay fees, payment is handled internally.

School Group Student Rates:
( M-F, 8-3pm, during the normal school year)

$3 per student.
1 free chaperon for every 20 students.
$60 per program minimum.
Examples:
12 students and 1 teacher = $60 minimum.
40 students and 4 teachers = (42 normal + 2 free chaperones) = $126.

No need to have exact attendance in advance as you can bring check/cash on your visit.
A receipt will be issued.
Credit cards can be used but add a 3% fee and require set up time. (please tell me in advance)
I can also invoice you and include a secure credit card link to pay online.