Great Lakes Planetarium Association Conference

The Great Lakes Planetarium Association (GLPA) is a professional organization dedicated to supporting astronomy and space science education through planetaria, and offers membership to all individuals in any way connected with the operation of planetariums regardless of geographic location. GLPA is an affiliate of IPS (International Planetarium Society), NSTA (National Science Teachers Association), and IMERSA (Immersive Media Entertainment, Research, Science & Arts). Our members come from over 30 states, and at least 4 countries. They work in public and private schools, universities, museums, retired, and more. As the oldest regional planetarium association, GLPA was established in 1965 at a 2-day organizational meeting of 75 participants in which Von Del Chamberlain was elected its first president. GLPA has supported its members and space science education ever since then with publications, annual conferences, and more.

The 2021 GLPA conference will be hosted by Kalamazoo Valley Museum in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The museum is located in downtown Kalamazoo, is operated by Kalamazoo Valley Community College, and offers free admission. There is a virtual tour of the exhibit space and a museum map available online.

The planetarium has a 109 seat theater with a 50-foot dome (with a 10 degree tilt), and is equipped with a Digistar 6 fulldome system and ChromaCove lighting. It will be used for sponsor presentations, workshops, and paper presentations, as well as a constellation shootout and fulldome show screenings.

Awards:

• Galileo Award
• Mentor Award
• Service Award
• Honorary Life Member
• Fellow of GLPA