With some of the most innovative space and science talks delivered across Canada, our custom-tailored presentations are like nothing you’ve ever seen before. Yet, these witty chunks of “edutainment” contain loads of interesting facts, curriculum-based learning opportunities, and fantastic tidbits that will get youth audiences and the general public talking for hours afterwards.
- Space/astronomy
- Aerospace
- Night sky/stargazing
- Astronomy in books, movies and TV
- Science Adventures
- Transportation
- Design a presentation!
SPACE / ASTRONOMY
“Tour of the Universe”…our signature presentation for schools
This curriculum-driven cosmic zoom-out covers the seasons, poles, satellites/rockets/space stations, the Sun and Moon, our Solar System, stars, constellations, galaxies, and more. Suitable and adaptable for K-12 science, art, English, history, tech, and other classes. (Contact us about this talk…)
Our next 100 years in the Solar System
Since the 1980s, our known-solar-system has grown from 9 planets to nearly 200 “worlds”. From cities on the Moon (really this time!) to sailing on the seas of Saturn’s moon, find out what our exploration of the solar system might hold a century from now.
Worlds You Never Knew
Did you know there are nearly 180 known-moons in our solar system (in addition to a dozen-or-so planets and “dwarf planets”)? Take a trip to the (possibly?) oceans of Europa, probe a volcano on Io, and watch the ice geysers of Enceladus explode in this whirlwind tour through the worlds of the solar system among the planets, and beyond… (Contact us about this talk…)
Water: Beyond the Earth, Among the Stars
While there’s more water on Earth than anywhere else we know, you might be surprised to find out that there’s actually a fair amount of water throughout the rest of the solar system (and beyond.) Find out where the cosmic H2O is at in this lively (and wet) 45-minute presentation.
In Space, No One Can Hear You Scream…
Killer asteroids, demon stars, 10 ways to die in space, as well as the most important thing you need to know about black holes…And that’s just the first 10 minutes of this 45-minute look at the scarier aspects of outer space. Join the search for the biggest star in the universe (so big, it’s actually a little scary) PLUS see how spooky alien life could be. (Option to include a look at the astronomical references surrounding villains in Harry Potter.) (Contact us about this talk…)
Jupiter: Solar system within a solar system
Did you know that – in addition to being more than 1,000 times the size of our home planet – Jupiter is so big that, if it were about 6 dozen times more massive, it would be able to churn away as its own star. What’s more, Jupiter has 63-known-moons and a system of rings like a mini-asteroid belt. All this seems to make Jupiter like a solar system within a solar system. Come explore it in this 45-minute (plus Q&A) adventure. (Contact us about this talk…)
Superasteroid! & the Death of the Dinosaurs
According to a recent study of studies of what killed the dinosaurs, a rock from space most likely did our prehistoric friends in. But how did this happen, are we sure it was responsible for such a great dying then (and before)? And could it happen again? Take a look in this interactive 45+ minute presentation that follows the trail of a superasteroid from life to explosive death. (Contact us about this talk…)
AEROSPACE
Spaceflight!: The explosive unauthorized biography
This full-tilt presentation can be given on a standard LCD projected screen but was originally delivered as a planetarium show, with the option to include timely news items and aerospace milestones, as well as using any related spacecraft projections available in a given star theatre. (Contact us about this talk…)
Space Tourism for Kids Aged 9-99
Based on Peter’s award-nominated 2011 science experiment book in Kids Can Press’ Machines of the Future series, this ‘edutaining’ presentation looks at the science and history of the beginnings of personal spaceflight as well as where it’s all going, using lively audience-participation quizzes and on-stage demonstrations that will leave you spinning (and hopefully not queasy…) (Contact us about this talk…)
Canada In Space: From orbit to Mars
Based on Peter’s frequent work as a contract writer for the Canadian Space Agency, this presentation is a celebration of the actually-impressive amount of contribution Canada and Canadians have made in space, from rockets launched from Manitoba in the 1960s to the first Canucks in orbit in the 80s to helping build, crew, experiment on and command the International Space Station. Word is a Canadian-made instrument on Mars may even guest-star in this patriotic talk. (Contact us about this talk…)
ISS: Misson to the biggest space space station
Blast off to the largest multinational engineering project in human history and see how science-fiction dreams are becoming a reality on the now-completed International Space Station. Larger than five NHL hockey rinks, see how this giant office, hotel, and science lab in orbit could soon serve as a stepping stone to bases on the Moon, human missions to asteroids, and maybe even Mars. (Contact us about this talk…)
Canada’s fighter jet: Avro Arrow at 55
More than half a century ago, it rivaled anything else in the air. Can you believe that we Canadians built a Canuck version of the F-22 Raptor?…In 1959?? In this presentation, see how the rise and fall of Canada’s one-and-only fighter jet program shaped our nation’s aerospace industry and what Canadian space scientists and engineers are doing in the Arrow’s spirit today. (Contact us about this talk…)
2013: A Space Entrée
Gone are the days when space food consisted of dehydrated “mystery” meals (that’s an actual NASA food label) and jugs of Tang: Today’s space station astronauts can select their menus from almost anything available on Earth, including meals prepared by celebrity chefs such as Rachel Ray and Wolfgang Puck. Serving and eating such cosmic delicacies is another matter…See how astronauts and space tourists of the present and future chow down in this guaranteed-“edutaining” presentation. (Contact us about this talk…)
Wilderness Astronomy: Campsite stargazing in Canada’s dark sky preserves
Peter’s signature talk (as well as the variations below), based on his travels to research his “Wilderness Astronomer” column, which appears in each issue of Sky News: The Canadian Magazine of Astronomy & Stargazing (where Peter is a contributing editor) as well as “wild astro” assignments for other publications such as Canadian Geographic, Parks Canada’s web site, and Peter’s own wild-astro creation www.wildernessastronomy.com (more details in the variations below.) (Contact us about this talk…)
Canada’s Wild Skies: Campsite Stargazing in our nation’s wild spaces
Explore the night sky from Canada’s dark sky preserves: “astronomy parks” where local ordinances defend the night against urban light pollution and learn how you can set off for one (or more) of them for an ultimate wilderness astronomy expedition to rival (or compliment) the most satisfying golf, fishing, or hunting trip, or your next family vacation. (Contact us about this talk…)
Canada’s Star Stories: First Nations Constellations from Sea to Sea
Did you know there’s a Sasquatch constellation? Or a giant canoe in the sky? Tag along for this presentation in which Peter points out dozens of constellation patterns created hundreds and even thousands of years ago in what is now Canada. With the help of elders and storytellers in brilliant multimedia sidebars, Peter presents these star stories with respect and drama, culminating in a never-before-seen all-sky map of many of the major First Nations constellations together for the first time ever (produced in conjunction with First Nations educators in Saskatchewan and Manitoba.) (Contact us about this talk…)
The New Astronomy: Stargazing in an age of Light Pollution
In introducing Peter’s “Wilderness Astronomer” column in Sky News magazine, world-renowned astronomy writer and editor Terence Dickinson mentioned “sure, you may have to ‘go somewhere’, but dark sky preserves will be there “for your children and grandchildren.” Since that issue (Nov/Dec 2011) Peter has taken magazine readers on a tour of a new “astronomy park” each issue. In doing so – and in this presentation -he aims to spotlight the last holdouts against urban light pollution in Canada. (Contact us about this talk…)
The Invisible Sky: Exploring the cosmos by day
“What’s that crescent-shaped cloud up there?” “Where?” “See that one, right where that bird just flew…” “Holy cow, I think that’s the Moon…” Believe-it-or-not (and depending on the time of day), you can see a half dozen objects in space during the day. What’s more, modern consumer electronics now allow you to see the stars in broad-daylight, before they’re even visible at night. Find out how (and when) in this eye-opening hands-on presentation/workshop not available anywhere else in the universe. (Contact us about this talk…)
Exploring the Moon from Earth
Unlike many objects in the sky, the Moon is a world so close, it seems like we can walk its surface with nothing but a pair of household binoculars. Find out how to trek along lunar ridges, mountain ranges, craters, and “seas” with equipment (or aps) you probably already have. PLUS learn about the latest plans to return people to our neighbour in space and how you might someday be able to go on vacation there yourself. (Contact us about this talk…)
ASTRONOMY IN BOOKS, MOVIES, AND TV
Celebrity Tour of the Night Sky
Even catch yourself wondering if that space reference you just heard in The Simpsons, or Futurama was a real place you heard about on the news or from the latest NASA mission? Odds are, if you had to wonder about this, it’s probably true. Take a look at the real-life astronomy references in some of pop-culture’s favourite brands, from Star Wars and Star Trek to Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, and The Hobbit. (Contact us about this talk…)
The Astronomy of Star Trek
Did you know the star cited as the home solar system for Mr Spock and other Vulcans (er, until the J.J. Abrams reboot ; ) really exists AND that it really has a planet orbiting around it? From Rigel to Orion and beyond, check out the real-life places in space that play a prominent role in the Star Trek universe… (Contact us about this talk…)
The Astronomy of Star Wars
Ever wonder how those Jedi ended up “on the other side of the galaxy” from the clutches of the evil Empire? Or what Chewbacca’s planet might really be like? “Punch it Chewie!” And get ready to jump into lightspeed on a trip to find out what aspects of the Star Wars universe are possible from a physics, astronomy, and planetary science perspective … (Contact us about this talk…)
The Astronomy of Harry Potter
Find out what real-life astronomy has to do with characters and scenes in some of the most popular books of all time. Unlock the cosmic connections to the names of characters like Sirius Black, Bellatrix Lestrange, and more PLUS see how real places in the “muggle” world of astronomy figure prominently into life as a wizard. (Contact us about this talk…)
The Astronomy of The Hobbit / The Lord of the Rings
Ever wonder what that cool star pattern was on the door to the Dwarf kingdom in the movie version of The Fellowship of the Ring? According to J.R.R. Tolkein’s books, it’s the Elvish constellation Valacirca (of course!) Even if you actually knew that, did you know it’s part of a constellation in the real world? Answer the call of Mordor in this epic quest that links the cosmology of Middle Earth with present-day science. (Contact us about this talk…)
0-28,000 in 60 seconds: Transportation’s Next Big Thing
High-speed maglev “cobra” trains, boats in supersonic tubes, and personal spacecraft round-out this look at the future of travel on land, water, air, and beyond. Includes on-stage demos and behind-the-scenes elements from Peter’s Machines of the Future series books Ultimate Trains and Space Tourism.
Extreme Makeover: Robot Edition
Will robots ever have true intelligence (and if they do, will they help us or harm us?) Take a look at the past, present, and future of our quest to build artificial beings. Includes the chance to try out a brief audience-participation task with a working robotic arm.
Extreme Makeover: Medical Robot Edition
See how slithering “snakebots” can perform surgery without leaving a scar, and how a Canadian creation is even doing brain surgery. PLUS find out what the Canadian Space Agency is doing in orbit that might help make us healthier back down on Earth. (Contact us about this talk…)
Also (descriptions in section[s] below): Space Tourism and Canada In Space
What is Science?: A journalist’s unexpected adventures
This 45-minute look at how the adventure of science isn’t always something that can be summed-up in an equation includes three audience-participation experiments. (Click here to see one of them live on stage.) A great motivator for getting kids into the sciences and technology. (Contact us about this talk…)
Weird Science
From underground observatories to microscopic “super-hero-bears” that can live in a radiation-filled vacuum, take a look at the oddest aspects of the world of discovery. (Also available: “Scary Science” See below…)
Dinosaur Season In Canada
Watch the world “morph” through 600-million-years’-worth of geologic change before your eyes and descend into this full-tilt look at the latest paleontological insights, as well as a glimpse into what it’s like to go on a dino-dig. Includes the chance to touch real fossils, including trilobites and a tyrannosaur tooth. (Contact us about this talk…)
Ancient Science in the Modern World
Did you know there were robots 500 years ago? Or that a series of “Canadian” constellations (including a canoe and Bigfoot) Were created hundreds and thousands of years ago? Find out more about how everything new is sometimes old in this mind-bending blast from the past.
Canada’s Biggest Science Projects
Walk inside a sports-stadium-sized particle accelerator, plunge into an underwater lab the size of BC, travel to an “observatory” 2 km underground, and see Canada’s 25-metre long space robot in action.
Scaaary Science
Suspicious substances, malicious robots, killer asteroids, and “demon stars”: It’s no wonder science can sometimes be a little scary. See these and more in this almost-too-scary-for-you presentation (can include modules from Astronomy of Harry Potter and/or Astronomy of Star Trek.)
“It seemed like a good idea…”: Fumbles & Failures of Science (and Technology)
From concrete pianos to nuclear-powered cars to a Canadian-built “flying saucer” this 45-minute presentation looks at the most extreme inventions that never took-off (and why.)
Science Road Trip 2012
From the world’s oldest fossils on Newfoundland’s Avalon Peninsula through a nation-wide network of eco-tourism preserves, to the world’s largest underwater research lab off the coast of Victoria, BC, check out all the science related stops along the way (as with many of these talks, this presentation can be delivered for youth or a general-public/family audience.) (Contact us about this talk…)
Don’t see the subject matter you’re looking for a sci/tech/nature/digital talk on here and hoping Peter can do something for you? Odds are he’s probably presented on that topic and just forgot to add it here…Whether or not that’s the case, drop Rick or Peter a line to discuss your custom sci/tech/nature presentation needs. (Contact us to design a presentation…)
(NOTE: Modified versions of existing talks can be delivered at no extra charge. Depending on the time required, never-before-given talks may require additional hours/charges for this service.)
*** The above presentations, presentation titles, descriptions, and ideas are the copywritten © 2012 intellectual property of Peter McMahon and noticemyscience.com Reproduction and/or performance without written permission is strictly prohibited ***
Educators, groups, institutions and individuals interested in booking this portable facility can call or email:
bookings@peterboroughplanetarium.com / 905.885.9471