School District U46

Planetarium/ Observatory

Elgin National

Watch Company Observatory

1910-1960

U-46 Planetarium 1960-present

Observatory opened in 1910 by the Elgin National Watch Co.

� It’s sole purpose was to tell time from the stars.

It turned into an advertising bonanza and research tool

for the company and an educational resource for U-46.

Meridian Transit Telescope

The observatory was later built up

the hill, over here just behind this side of the factory

This is the

National St. bridge, facing east

Butera and the

apartments behind it are here now.

Here is the

clock tower from the factory

These

houses are still here on Raymond St.

This picture

was in The Courier News, Nov. 1964

Not sure who the man is…maybe Mr. Tuttle?

School District U46

Planetarium/ Observatory

National Register of Historic Places – Aug. 1994

20101936

and now for your listening pleasureand now for your listening pleasure……

““Hillbilly Classic, Barry MoonHillbilly Classic, Barry Moon””

““Benny GoodmanBenny Goodman””

From 1936, Chicago StationFrom 1936, Chicago Station

The Planetarium was built in 1963. It was the first

school district planetarium in the State of Illinois

Today there are currently about 500 Spitz A3P star projectors in use.

Don Tuttle worked side by side with the technician to install it.

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

1963 73 85 2009 10 2011*

student and

public sessions,

*Projected

Planetarium Attendance Summary

New programs for 2010New programs for 2010--2011 2011

�� Scout group programsScout group programs

�� Public sky showsPublic sky shows

�� Outside district paid fieldOutside district paid field--tripstrips

�� Increase in Special Education class visits Increase in Special Education class visits

�� Employee sessions Employee sessions

�� Don Tuttle Plaque unveilingDon Tuttle Plaque unveiling

�� STEM summer enrichment programSTEM summer enrichment program

�� Elgin Historical Society summer campElgin Historical Society summer camp

Improvements to the facilityImprovements to the facility

�� Planetarium lab rooms and storage sorted and Planetarium lab rooms and storage sorted and

organizedorganized

�� NonNon--functional slide projectors taken down and functional slide projectors taken down and

related electrical wiring removedrelated electrical wiring removed

�� Planetarium chamber decorated and updatedPlanetarium chamber decorated and updated

�� Antique Equipment and paperwork sorted and Antique Equipment and paperwork sorted and

preservedpreserved

�� Internet connection securedInternet connection secured

Changes to school group programsChanges to school group programs

�� All programs presented live using PowerPoint and All programs presented live using PowerPoint and multimulti--mediamedia

�� Program content aligned to Illinois State StandardsProgram content aligned to Illinois State Standards

�� Increased bus time/scheduling to allow for more Increased bus time/scheduling to allow for more sessions per daysessions per day

�� Information regarding programs and signing up Information regarding programs and signing up available online, teacher communication via eavailable online, teacher communication via e--mail mail

�� Survey offered to teachers/leaders at each sessionSurvey offered to teachers/leaders at each session

Future PlansFuture Plans�� Continued program development and updatesContinued program development and updates

�� Host local astronomy club meetingsHost local astronomy club meetings

�� Summer enrichment programs Summer enrichment programs

�� New projector with digital capabilities and New projector with digital capabilities and

expanded programmingexpanded programming

�� Fundraising efforts in collaboration with UFundraising efforts in collaboration with U--46 46

Education Foundation Education Foundation

�� Pursue grants for preservation of historic parts of Pursue grants for preservation of historic parts of

buildingbuilding

�� Host for STEM outreach initiatives including Host for STEM outreach initiatives including

women in science and career explorationwomen in science and career exploration

�� Teacher inTeacher in--service meetings/classes service meetings/classes

�� Partnership with Adler Planetarium Partnership with Adler Planetarium

�� Revamped website, easier access onlineRevamped website, easier access online