Adler Planetarium Pop-Up Program 
Dec. 29, 2017
​in the Curiosity Station room from 11-3
Adler Planetarium Earthfest
April 22, 2018
in the Community Design Lab from 9:30 - 3:30
Dark Matter is invisible but scientists know it is there because of its gravitational effects..  Dark Matter is the underlying structure that explains why galaxies are where they are, and how they formed.  The gravity from Dark Matter holds together galaxies and clusters of galaxies.  Without Dark Matter, the Milky Way galaxy that is our home would never have formed.

In our workshops, participants created a section of the universe by tying fabric (Dark Matter) together and adding rhinestones (galaxies).  Everybody was invited to shape the larger section of universe we created together by adding their section to the growing structure.
 
We are all literally stardust. After the big bang, clouds of gas and dust formed into stars. In the stars, hydrogen and helium fused into heavier elements like oxygen, carbon, and all the elements necessary for life. Supernovae - explosions of  stars -scattered elements into the universe.  These scattered elements formed the planets and the elements that form our bodies and sustain our lives. 

In our workshop, participants pulled a red string tied around a "star" to create a "supernova" and release the "elements."  Pom-poms (elements) burst out of the white satchel (star.) Then people collected the pom-poms to create something to wear.  As they walked around the museum they were encouraged to greet each other saying, "Hello Stardust!"