This guide is intended to help teachers to plan a field trip to the Adler Planetarium and address Illinois State Goals and Benchmarks. Teachers can use this grid to see if a goal or benchmark is met or addressed in an Adler exhibit, show, or program.

If a benchmark is labeled addresses benchmark, then the exhibit or show addresses part of the benchmark, but not all aspects of the benchmark. If a benchmark is labeled meets benchmark, then the exhibit or show addresses most or all aspects of that benchmark. These categories are based on the exhibit or show as a stand alone, meaning that the students will address these ideas by walking through and engaging with the entire exhibit. Additional instruction by teachers, pre- and post-activities, and discussion of exhibit elements will deepen the learning experience. A trip to the museum works best for students when it is aligned with other curricula and classroom activities.

Please note that each sky show has a recommended audience or age group. While benchmarks may be addressed or met for a given grade level, the show may not be appropriate overall for that grade level.