Alton Students Enjoy "In-House Field Trip" with Portable Planetarium Presentation

ALTON - Students at East Elementary School in Alton were starstruck during a special portable planetarium presentation.

On Wednesday, April 22, 2026, students loaded into SIUE’s StarLab, a mobile planetarium that travels to different schools for presentations. Students could stargaze and learn about different planets, all from their gymnasium. Rene Hart, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services in the Alton Community Unit School District #11, noted that students “loved” this “in-house field trip.”

“Anytime we can connect real-world learning or an experience, it definitely makes the learning more impactful for the students,” she said. “When students can actually experience it themselves and be a participant in that learning, it really lands and sticks a bit deeper. Plus, we love field trips. We love an experience for students to get out and make the learning come alive. This is just a way to bring [a field trip] to them.”

Hart shared that the third grade students at East Elementary School are currently studying the second module of their Wit and Wisdom curriculum, which is focused on space. Students have read space-themed chapter books and learned about different astronauts and the contributions they’ve made to our understanding of the universe.

With this background, students were especially excited for the chance to engage with the planetarium. They were able to see planets up close and learn about constellations through the StarLab presentation.

“It’s directly connected to what they’re doing in the classroom,” Hart said. “They’re learning about space through literature, art, and technology in the classroom. This is really an extension of that module. It really has students challenge their imagination.”

She noted that the StarLab presentation makes space accessible to the kids, as they can engage without needing access to a telescope or traveling to a planetarium. It’s exciting for the students to learn about space beyond the classroom setting, and Hart is pleased that the school district could make this happen.

“It’s pretty much an in-house field trip where they’re able to look at constellations. They’re able to view the night sky and explore some of the solar system,” she explained. “It’s a really, really interesting digital experience for the students.”

Hart collaborated with Emily Stanley-Wonnacott, who oversees the SIUE StarLab, to bring the planetarium to students in Alton School District. Stanley-Wonnacott provided the presentation and included “some really humorous space jokes” to keep it fun. Hart thanked her for her hard work.

She added that Alton’s administrators and other school leaders in Madison County regularly partner with the SIUE STEM Center to provide experiences like this to students. She is proud that Alton can be a part of that collaboration.

“I appreciate Emily with the SIUE STEM Center. She’s so easy to work with and communicate with, and her goal is the same as ours, that students get those real-life experiences. She makes it really engaging and fun,” Hart added. “Just a big thank you to SIUE for being such a wonderful community partner with this.”

This Featured Article is sponsored by Alton Community Unit School District #11. To get your business or organization featured on www.Riverbender.com, contact us at sales@riverbender.com.

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