By Nate Fairchild, Director of Science and Charter School Authorization
Shasta County Office of Education
When families in Shasta County are looking for something both fun and educational, one local treasure shines bright: Schreder Planetarium. Located in Redding, this community gem has been sparking curiosity about the universe for over 45 years — and today it offers children and families experiences that go far beyond stargazing.
A Destination for Families
Every visit to the planetarium is designed to spark wonder and make learning fun. The program starts with a short, hands-on demonstration that gets people curious and sets the stage for the rest of the program. Then, presenters lead a special show customized by the planetarium staff, just for that program. When the lights dim, the dome comes alive with an immersive theater experience that surrounds you in a breathtaking, 3D-like view of space. (For school field trips, students enjoy one show; for public evening programs, guests get to experience two.) To round out the evening, families have time to explore interactive exhibits and visit the gift shop for fun treasures to take home. Schreder Planetarium opens its doors only during scheduled programs.
More Than Just Space
Yes, the stars are still the main attraction (with shows on black holes, exoplanets and our own dynamic Earth) but the planetarium has also expanded to include programs on oceans, climate and even dinosaurs. Children who dream of astronauts can sit side by side with kids who dream of marine biologists, both transported by stunning visuals and engaging storytelling.
Hands-On Exhibits
One of the unique features of the Schreder Planetarium is its growing collection of interactive science exhibits. Families can:
- Crack the Code of Light by analyzing real spectra, just like astronomers do when they identify elements in stars.
- Sculpt landscapes in the Augmented Reality Sandbox, where glowing blue “water” flows into valleys and basins created by shifting sand.
- Dance in front of Rainbow Shadow Dancers, casting shadows in brilliant red, green and blue.
In addition to these major exhibits, kids love the smaller tabletop explorations: touching an 11-inch plasma ball, holding a real meteorite, drawing glowing art in the UV zone or exploring lenses with bold red lasers. Each one is designed to spark wonder through direct, hands-on discovery.
A Few Fun Facts
- The planetarium dome seats over 60 people, making it an intimate but impressive theater for traveling across space and time.
- The planetarium staff build customized shows in-house, which enhances the fulldome shows we purchase.
- The dome has hosted both cutting-edge digital shows and timeless classics, ensuring that every generation sees something new.
- Few, if any, other planetariums offer our combination of features
Plan Your Visit
Because the Schreder Planetarium is only open during programs, checking the schedule ahead of time is essential. Families can find upcoming shows and tickets online through the planetarium’s website or Facebook.
shastacoe.org/programs-services/planetarium
In a world full of distractions, the Schreder Planetarium offers something rare: a place where families can slow down, look up and rediscover the wonder of the universe together.
Posted in: Science & Nature
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