When a planetarium field trip didn’t go as planned, prekindergarten students brought the universe to Wellington — complete with rockets, constellations, and fun facts to share.
When a field trip to The Ohio State University’s planetarium was unexpectedly canceled due to a technical issue, Catie Swendal’s prekindergarten class didn’t miss a beat. Instead, they brought the stars a little closer to home.
On Monday, April 8, the young learners hosted a Space Exhibit for parents, caregivers, and community members — transforming their classroom into a galactic showcase of imagination and hands-on learning.
Visitors explored a range of student-made projects, including hand-made pillows of Saturn and black holes, sewn with needle and thread; a hanging model of the solar system; constellation sticker charts; and sensory moon rocks. Students also designed space suits out of paper bags and cardboard and built a four-foot rocket packed with essential equipment for an interstellar adventure.
A poster of fun space facts, featuring student discoveries and favorite findings, highlighted what they had learned. “Jupiter is the biggest planet and has a red storm,” shared Crosby. “Meteors can have tails,” said Harry. Alessandra pointed out, “Constellations can match your birthday.”
The exhibit celebrated the wonders of space and reinforced key early childhood learning — science exploration, hands-on creativity, and public speaking skills — as students proudly shared their work and knowledge with visitors. The class may have missed their trip to the planetarium, but they still gave guests a stellar show — one entirely of their own design.