Exploration Dome

🧠✨ Testing week + end-of-year fun… you can have both

If your students could use a fun, engaging way to review key science concepts and you’re looking for something special to wrap up the year, this is a great time to bring Exploration Dome to your campus.

I have a few openings left in May, including dates during the testing window (great for low-stress review) and after testing wraps up (perfect for celebrating the end of the year).

Exploration Dome is a fully immersive, IMAX-style mobile planetarium run by former HCPS teachers. We bring standards-based science lessons right to your school. No buses needed!

Remaining availability:
May 4, 5, 7, 11, 12, 13, 18, and 21

What scheduling looks like:
• 1-hour sessions per class
• We can typically fit 4–5 classes in a day (working around lunch and specials)
• If your school has more than 5 classes, we can schedule consecutive days to fit everyone in

Facility requirements:
• Indoor space with access to a power outlet
• Room for a ~20 ft diameter dome
• Ceilings at least 10 ft high (11 ft ideal)
• Space for an 8 ft table and small Dome Shop setup

Spots tend to fill quickly this time of year. Visit our website and fill out our contact form for more information. Dates are first come, first serve.

Contact — Exploration Dome Please choose from one of the below options in regards to which type of event you are wishing to book with us: Contact Us School Related Inquiries General Inquiries

Come visit us during spring break! Exploration Dome will be set up at Bonnet Springs Park on Monday, Thursday, and Friday for their Full STEAM Ahead event. Check out the link below for the full list of vendors and daily activities.

https://bonnetspringspark.com/event/spring-break-at-bsp-mar-16-2026/?mc_cid=77385005f9&mc_eid=3ef30ebedd⁠�

Spring Break at BSP - Bonnet Springs Park ​​Join us March 16–20 from 9:30AM – 2PM along the Nature Pathway for Spring Break at BSP, a fun-filled week of hands-on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math) activities, engaging vendor experiences, and family-friendly performances. Each day kicks off with live shows at 9:30A...

Come see us Plant City Main Street !

🚀 Exciting news! Exploration Dome will be at Plant City’s Last Friday event on August 29 from 5–9 PM in downtown.

I will not have the dome with me at this event, but I will have The Dome Shop set up with space-themed goodies kids love. You can preview some of the items here: https://www.explorationdome.org/the-dome-shop
Popular items include astronaut ice cream, freeze-dried candy, slime, NASA backpacks, keychains, and more. Inventory is subject to availability.

🌌✨ It’s also a great chance for teachers and families to stop by, say hello, and learn more about how Exploration Dome brings immersive planetarium experiences to schools.
Come enjoy the event, shop local, and visit The Dome Shop at McCall Park. Hope to see you there!

🌟 Already have two field trips booked? No problem! Most schools also allow an in-school field trip in addition to your off-campus ones.
Bring Exploration Dome right to your campus for an unforgettable science adventure! 🚀✨
Exploration Dome is a mobile, IMAX-style planetarium run by two former HCPS teachers. We bring standards-based lessons in Earth and space, life, and physical science directly to your school, no buses needed.
📅 Now booking for the 2025–2026 school year!
👉 Message us today to secure your spot.
https://www.explorationdome.org/contact

🎉 $25 Dome Shop Credit for the First 20 Bookings!

Now booking for the 2025–2026 school year.
Exploration Dome is a mobile, IMAX-style planetarium that brings standards-based science lessons right to your school. It’s run by former HCPS elementary teachers, so we understand how hard it can be to make science meaningful, exciting, and easy to manage during the school day.

Each experience is fully facilitated and aligned to your grade-level standards. Topics include:
🌙 Moon phases, day/night cycles, rotation and revolution
🪐 Planets, stars, and the sun
🌱 Soil, habitats, and life cycles
🚀 …and more!

✅ We’re an approved Hillsborough County vendor and eligible for Title I funding.

📍 All we need is:
An indoor space (11 ft tall, 19.5 ft across)
Access to a power outlet
Space for an 8 ft table and a small stand
For 2nd grade lessons: space for four 4x4 tables
Want to learn more or check availability? Visit www.explorationdome.org

Day 4, our final day at the MAPS SEPA Planetarium Conference, was unforgettable.

We returned to C. D. Hylton High School for a day of breakout sessions. I chose topics like interactive strategies for PK through 2nd grade, improv techniques, integrating astrophotography into education and outreach, and a professional learning community session where I connected with other mobile dome users from across the country.

After a full day of learning, we headed back to the hotel to get ready for one of the most incredible experiences of my life—the Gala.

Thanks to our hosts and generous community donations, we had exclusive access to the entire Smithsonian Udvar-Hazy museum for a private evening under the Space Shuttle Discovery. From the moment we walked in, greeted by waitstaff offering hors d'oeuvres and drinks on silver trays, it felt like something out of a movie. The elegant dinner, exceptional service, and stunning atmosphere made it a night I’ll never forget.

I have never attended anything this fancy, and I will remember this experience for the rest of my life. Grateful doesn’t even begin to cover it. ✨🚀

Day 3 of the MAPS/SEPA Planetarium Conference took us to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center—and it was incredible!

We had the entire Space Shuttle Pavilion reserved for a private event. After arriving to a beautiful spread of food and drinks, we spent the afternoon in the museum’s conference room learning from incredible speakers on topics like ARISS (Amateur Radio on the ISS), Blue Origin, and even heard from the museum’s curator.

We were then treated to a private docent-led tour of the museum, where we saw iconic aircraft like the Space Shuttle Discovery, Enola Gay, SR-71 Blackbird, and the Concorde. We ended the visit by heading up to the observation tower to take in the mountain views and watch planes land at Dulles Airport.

To top it all off, our hosts planned a private dinner at 2 Silos Brewery, where we enjoyed live music, cold drinks, and some delicious backyard BBQ.

Stay tuned—an exciting new idea for Hillsborough County Schools is in the works, inspired by everything I learned today! 🚀✈️🎶

Day 2 of the MAPS/SEPA Planetarium Conference = unforgettable.

We took a much-needed brain break to explore D.C.—walking to the WWII Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and the Washington Monument. Then we saw the city from a different view during a scenic riverboat cruise.

Next stop: the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, where we had VIP early access to a brand-new planetarium show.

To top it all off, we ended the night at the Nationals vs. Rockies game—in one of four presidential suites our amazing conference hosts secured for us!

We’re logging 14–15 hour days, packed with history, inspiration, and nonstop learning. I’m exhausted… but soaking in every minute. 🇺🇸✨🚀