Reaching for the Stars: Visiting Planetarium Program Inspires Students through Exploration of the Night Sky

"Astronomy compels the soul to look upward and leads us from this world to another." The timelessness of this Plato quote is aptly exemplified by the Visiting Planetarium Program, currently making its way across Tennessee for the fourth year. The planetarium and accompanying presentation are designed to ignite student curiosity about the night sky through a portable cross-curricular program. The planetarium is managed by Billy Hix, Professor Emeritus at Motlow State Community College and a NASA Solar System Ambassador. Hix, the product of a rural, high-poverty school system, was awed by the night sky as a child and dreamed of being an astronaut. He conducted his first STEM outreach program in 1986 and has been inspiring both educators and students ever since. Hix is particularly energized by the opportunity to bring the planetarium to rural students that may rarely have the opportunity to meet STEM professionals. “Many of the schools that I visit each year remind me of where I grew up,” noted Hix. “Students have very few opportunities to dream big. I see students who are hungry to learn but have never had someone visit to learn side-by-side.”

Through the support of Battelle philanthropy , Hix has brought the traveling planetarium to 44 schools across Tennessee since 2015. Each planetarium learning session lasts about fifty minutes and includes hands-on exploration of astronomy, an awe-inspiring planetarium presentation, and key take-aways to promote further inquiry. Hix takes time to point out the names of the bright stars within a constellation and makes connections to their Latin names in literature and pop culture.

After viewing the night sky at the unaided eye level, Hix engrosses students in a deep dive into space and a viewing of nebulas, supernovas, stellar nurseries, and globular clusters. As students are awed by these astronomical features, Hix engages students and educators in discussion, interweaving multiple content areas and standards. “The exploration through the stars and beyond has no doubt made many of our students want to learn more about our universe and has peaked their interest into astronomy,” said Debbie Heath, educator at New Prospect School in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. “The best part is that Mr. Hix showed how to make so many connections between the science that you teach and all other subject areas.”

Hix’s presentation leaves a lasting impression on educators and learners alike and inspires future study of astronomy. “Our students talked all day about the experience and how much they enjoyed it,” said Pharrah Massey, fifth grade teacher at William Burrus Elementary in Hendersonville, Tennessee. “They even asked to go to the library to continue researching the topics that Hix presented.”

For many students, their newfound love of astronomy and intrigue at the night sky does not stop when the school bell rings. Shelby Johnson, second grade educator at Krisle Elementary in Springfield, Tennessee, received a note from a parent highlighting that their child came home eager to discuss astronomy and inspired to pursue a career with NASA.

Billy Hix has turned his passion for engaging students through astronomy and STEM into a transformational educational experience. His program serves as a powerful reminder of the impact of experiential learning, cross-disciplinary connections, and that sometimes the greatest inspiration comes from simply looking up.