Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten

Shows

Adventure awaits the youngest space explorers at the Adler! Preschool and Pre-K students can stargaze with Elmo, discover the mysteries of Planet X in Planet Explorers, and more!

One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventures
Definiti Theater Show
Grades Preschool-2
25 minutes
IL State Standards Addressed: 12F

The fun begins on Sesame Street when Elmo's friend, Hu Hu Zhu, visits from China. Big Bird, Elmo and Hu Hu Zhu share what they know about the Sun, Moon and Stars, learn about the Big Dipper and take an imaginary trip to the Moon. When Elmo and Hu Hu Zhu imagine themselves back on Earth, they celebrate the idea that even though they live in two different countries, they still share the same sky.

Planet Explorers Visit and Labs

Spacesuit Engineers Jr. Planet Explorers Lab Program
Grades Pre-K and Preschool
30 Minutes
Maximum capacity of 30 students
IL State Standards Addressed: 11A, 11B, 12B, 12F, 13B

Space is very different from Earth. There are dust and rocks and there is no air. How do astronauts survive in this environment? Investigate how to keep astronauts safe by selecting and testing materials for two different layers of a spacesuit. This hands-on investigation, adapted from our popular Spacesuit Engineers program, is designed to introduce the youngest scientists to fundamental inquiry concepts such as testing and comparing.

Exhibition Galleries

All of Adler Planetarium’s exhibition galleries offer engaging learning opportunities for students. We welcome you and your students into our exhibition galleries. We’ve highlighted some not-to-miss galleries that we think you and your students will find particularly engaging and fun!

Preschool - PreKindergarten Exhibitions

Cyberspace
IL State Standards Addressed:12D, 12F, 13B, 16A

CyberSpace is an all-electronic exhibition gallery, distance-learning studio and computer education center that can be easily updated as discoveries in astronomy are made and new educational themes are selected.

Our Solar System
IL State Standards Addressed: 12C, 12D, 12E, 12F

Our Solar System gallery offers interactive exhibitions designed to help visitors explore the planets, moons, comets, and asteroids that orbit our Sun.

Planet Explorers
IL State Standards Addressed: 12B, 12C, 12F, 13B
Grades Pre-K to 3 Only

Journey from Earth through space to the mysterious Planet X. Located on the upper level of the Adler’s Sky Pavilion, Planet Explorers offers preschool to third grade visitors and their teachers a wide range of activities that combine learning and fun. The Planet Explorers exhibition is divided into three different environments: Exploring Earth, which includes backyard stargazing; Exploring Space, which includes Mission Control, a rocket, and space station; and Exploring Planet X, which includes the Planet X Research Station.

Booking Information for Planet Explorers

In order to ensure a safe and positive learning experience for all museum attendees, group entrance to Planet Explorers is by reservation only. Reservations for school groups visiting Planet Explorers are free of charge. The Adler only accepts reservations for entry into Planet Explorers for preschool to grade 3.

Shoot for the Moon
IL State Standards Addressed: 11B, 12B, 12F, 13B

Shoot for the Moon consists of two galleries: A Journey with Jim Lovell and Mission: Moon. A Journey with Jim Lovell features highlights of Captain James A. Lovell, Jr.'s life and career, including his initial setbacks and ultimate triumphs. The restored Gemini 12 spacecraft is the centerpiece in a dramatic presentation of the culminating mission of the Gemini Program.

The exhibition contains artifacts from Lovell's personal collection, including his rejection letter from the NASA Mercury program, his collection of childhood memorabilia and Gemini 12 flight manuals. Mission: Moon tells the story of the destiny-changing accomplishments of the Apollo Program and how it became a springboard to the future. Visitors will re-live the thrilling and dramatic moments of the Apollo program during which America realized its goal of having a man walk on the Moon.

Telescopes Through the Looking Glass
IL State Standards Addressed: 12C, 12F, 13B

Telescopes: Through the Looking Glass presents the technology used to gather information about the Universe. Featuring some of the world’s most important telescopes and one-of-a-kind hands-on interactives, the exhibition explores the extraordinary beauty and technology of these amazing instruments and the objects they enable us to discover.

Universe in Your Hands

IL State Standards Addressed: 13B, 16A

The Adler houses one of the world's greatest collections of astronomy-related tools, rare books, photographs, early maps, charts, and star atlases. Universe in your Hands displays unique objects from a time when people believed the Earth was the center of the Universe. Since ancient times, people have looked at the heavens with awe and wonder, but they have also used the sky as an inspiration and resource for the entire spectrum of their lives. This gallery helps visitors understand the cultural significance of astronomy in societies around the world and over thousands of years.