Have you ever wondered about the planets, stars, and the Universe? Well, look no further than at the PHM DVT!

The DVT/Planetarium is a digital video theater inside Bittersweet Elementary school. The shows project to a 30 foot dome ceiling above your head. The DVT, once run by the now-retired, Mr. Klinger, has now been taken over by Mrs.O’Malley, a former 8th grade science teacher from Discovery Middle School. At the DVT, many students receive information from the shows provided that have a impact on their education in science and health.

Some of the items inside the DVT.
Some of the items featured inside the DVT glass cases. | PNN

“As humans, we are naturally curious. We want to know about ourselves and we want to understand our world around us. And for instance, when we first learned about the atom, trying to what it is. We thought there was nothing smaller, we wanted to figure out can we create this? And the forces that were needed to create it, were phenomenal, you know, trying to come up with the Earth, and then we discovered ‘wow. We naturally produced out in our stars.’ So, by learning about the Universe, we’re learning about ourselves. And with the new horizons, with Pluto, we’re finding out all sorts of things about our Universe. So the more we learn about our Universe, the more we understand ourselves.” Mrs. O’Malley explains when asked about why she thinks about why she thinks people should learn about the Universe.

The students and teachers are able to enjoy the learning experience while connecting to what they are learning in the classroom. This apply’s for student in kindergarten all the way up to 12th grade. The DVT is a known to be free and enjoyable field trip for students to learn outside of the typical classroom.

Mrs. O’Malley mentions how excited she is for the new shows: “We try to have a new show every year. This year we’ve been blessed. We’ve received a grant that’s allowed us to have 4 new shows which is really cool.”

These shows include information about cells, bugs, our solar system, as well as weather on our earth. Teachers can schedule a show for their students on the DVT website. High school teachers can not schedule a show during ANY 4th block.

The DVT is now open to the public! Public shows will be held from September 10th, 2015 to May 25th, 2016. The cost for the show is $4 for adults, $3 for senior citizens and $2 for students/children. To view the public show schedule you can go to the DVT website and click on public shows.

 

 

By Kevin McNulty

Kevin McNulty teaches English and Mass Media Studies at Penn High School. He advises the Penn News Network and manages the PNN Studio and news room. For more information, navigate your browser to www.massmediastudies.net.