Morehead Planetarium and Science Center

Looking for volunteer opportunities? We have openings for two super stellar events happening this spring! ??General public?? April 5 | UNC Science Expo – a day of science learning and fun for our community in partnership with UNC-Chapel Hill faculty, students, and staff. ?For high school students? April 12 | STEMville Science Summit –?local scientists and UNC students lead hands-on STEM activities for underserved and underrepresented groups. Learn more and apply for volunteer opportunities at https://lnkd.in/eT5ZChKG. We hope to see you there! #VolunteerOpportunities #ScienceforAll #NCSciFest #ChapelHill

We’re thrilled to announce that Morehead Planetarium and Science Center has been voted the fifth best planetarium in USA TODAY’s 10Best! For the past 75 years, we’ve taken pride in bringing the stars to generations of North Carolinians and beyond. Thank you to all who helped us rank in the top five of all U.S. planetariums! #USAToday #10Best #BestPlanetarium #MoreheadPlanetarium #ChapelHill

A very special gift to Morehead is now on display!? At the 2024 Science for All Summit, Cherokee artist and educator Nichole Efird led a workshop where participants learned to make their own cornhusk dolls. That evening, Efird generously gifted her own artwork, “The Dog,” to the Planetarium. Featured in our lobby, “The Dog” tells a story of the creation of the Milky Way. According to the adaptation from Cherokee Legends and the Trail of Tears, a family attempted to scare an otherworldly dog from stealing their cornmeal. The frightened dog leapt into the sky, and the cornmeal pouring out of its mouth made a white trail across the sky. Today, this is where we can see the Milky Way, which the Cherokee call “gi-li-u-li-sv-s-da-nv-yi" or “where the dog ran.” On your next trip to Morehead, make sure to check out this stunning piece! #TheDog #MoreheadPlanetarium #CherokeeArt #AstronomyLegends? #ChapelHill

Have time in your schedule for March 3 and 4? Online registration for the Science for All Summit has reopened until Friday, February 28! Learn more and register at go.unc.edu/SFAS. Make sure to share with your networks, colleagues, and peers! #ScienceforAll #ScienceforAllSummit #NCProfessionals #Students #ChapelHill

UPDATE: Due to the inclement weather forecast, we have made the decision to reschedule the Science for All Summit to March 3 - 4. Our priority is the safety of all attendees, speakers, and staff. We appreciate your understanding as we make this adjustment. ? In the coming days, the Summit team will provide additional details regarding the updated schedule, logistics, and any necessary modifications on our website and the conference app, Whova. Those who are already registered should receive an email with additional updates and contact information.? ? Registration will reopen tomorrow for those who might now have an open window to join us for the Summit. Learn more at go.unc.edu/SFAS.?

With the 2025 Science for All Summit happening this week, we’d like to take a moment to thank our sponsors for their generous dedication to STEM education. With their support, the Summit is able to reach wider audiences, recruit a range of engaging speakers, and continue its efforts to make STEM spaces accessible to all. Curious about the Summit’s offerings? Learn more at go.unc.edu/SFAS. #ScienceforAll #ScienceforAllSummit #NCConferences #Sponsors

Need plans in April? The North Carolina Science Festival?event calendar is now live! Produced by Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, NCSciFest is a month-long celebration of STEAM spanning the state of North Carolina. Find events ranging from nature walks to the UNC Science Expo at NCSciFest.org. #NCSciFest #NCScienceFestival #ScienceforAll #STEAM #Education #EveryDayWhereOne

Newlyweds and postdoctoral researchers Manuel and Megan Maeso look forward to a future filled with companionship, empathy, and science. https://go.unc.edu/Dz5o6 They met in 2023 at the UNC Science Expo, hosted by Morehead Planetarium and Science Center — and decided to get married there last October. Wedding guests enjoyed a planetarium show of the night sky the day the couple met and then celebrated in the upstairs ballroom, which overflowed with candles, stars, and moons. While their love story is based in astronomy, their research agendas focus on human and plant health. In the lab of Carolina geneticist Folami Ideraabdullah, Megan studies how environmental exposures affect human genes and drive disease. Manuel explores how plant immune systems identify pathogens in the lab of biologist Jeff Dangl. “We have very different skill sets that complement each other,” Megan points out. “Manuel can run the coding to analyze huge data sets, and I do a lot of sequencing studies. We’re trying to figure out how we can bridge our two worlds in the future.” Sharing a passion for and understanding of research has strengthened their bond. Working in science can be rigorous and demanding — and having a teammate who can truly empathize with all that entails has been a blessing. “I always dreamed about having a partner who understands what I do,” Manuel says. “The understanding that we have with each other is unlike anything I had ever experienced in my former dating life, because some days are just extremely stressful,” Megan adds. “Experiments can weigh heavily on you, especially if they don’t turn out. And sometimes, I have to go in at 5 a.m. on a weekend because an experiment will take 10 hours.” On those days, Megan and Manuel accompany one another to the lab for encouragement. It allows them to spend time together in the same space and encourages empathy and respect that neither experienced in previous relationships. “Our communication is incredible,” Megan says. “And I think it's because we don't necessarily have to use words to communicate. We just understand each other.” #UNCResearch #biology #genetics #postdoc #research #love #couple #marriage #valentinesday #happyvalentinesday #valentine #gdtbath #targram?

Students, STEM professionals, and other change agents – tomorrow is the LAST day to register online for the Science for All Summit! Join us on February 20 and 21 for a range of workshops, sessions, and keynote speakers aimed at advancing access in STEM environments. Register and learn more at go.unc.edu/SFAS. We can’t wait to see you there! #ScienceforAllSummit #ScienceforAll #NCConference #STEM #Students #Professionals

Online registration for the Science for All Summit closes on Friday, February 14! On February 20 and 21, join us?for a range of keynote speakers, workshops, and sessions focused on sparking progress in STEM environments. In-person registration will also be available on the day of the Summit. We can’t wait to see you there! Learn more at go.unc.edu/SFAS. #ScienceforAll #ScienceforAllSummit #STEMProfessionals #STEMStudents #ChapelHill