×

Besser Museum offering free independent field trips

ALPENA — Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan is offering a new program for teachers and their students.

As we all know, COVID-19 quickly changed everyone’s world. As teachers and schools throughout Northeast Michigan are making major adjustments to their classroom routines to protect students and staff from the coronavirus, Besser Museum is also adjusting its educational outreach programs to better support teachers and their students. Besser Museum staff is sensitive to the emotional and economic strain teachers, students, and families are experiencing because of the historic pandemic.

Education Coordinator Amanda Kucharek and Planetarium Coordinator Johnathan Winckowski were saddened when field trips were canceled last spring and students missed out on the opportunity to experience the museum.

“It is important to us to continue providing teachers and students access to the museum’s valuable resources,” said Besser Museum Executive Director Christine Witulski.

As the statewide response to the coronavirus continues to require social distancing and limited capacity for indoor activities, Besser Museum is offering teachers the opportunity at their discretion to assign their students an extra-credit Independent Field Trip to visit a planetarium presentation at no cost to the student or their adult chaperone.

This free Independent Field Trip offer for students will also be extended to families who chose to homeschool this year.

Besser Museum will grant one free extra credit Independent Field Trip assignment per student during the 2020/2021 school year.

Besser Museum has sent information about the Independent Field Trip to teachers throughout Northeast Michigan. The information includes a list of planetarium presentations that support the Michigan standards across K-12 curriculum recommended for student viewing.

Due to limited capacity in the planetarium, students assigned an extra credit Independent Field Trip must call the museum to make reservations. A schedule of planetarium showtimes is available on Besser Museum’s website at www.bessermuseum.org. Shows are offered Wednesday through Sunday. Teachers can also contact the museum at 989-356-2202 for more information about this program.

This free museum program is made possible thanks to the continued support of the Besser Foundation, the Candace Smith Education Endowment, the Harry Johnson Education Endowment, and Besser Museum members.

Planetarium show change

The museum has changed its planetarium show schedule to accommodate junior high and high school students. The last planetarium show of the day will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday through Friday.

Museum staff encourages homeschoolers to take advantage of the 10 a.m. showtime Wednesday through Friday. Shows are also offered at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Students assigned extra credit by their teachers are also welcomed to the planetarium on Saturdays and Sundays.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today