Museum Initiates Stargazing Voyages for Students; Space Excursions' Continuation Remains uncertain
Flyin' High Over Hayti: The Cosmic Journey of South Dakota's School Kids
HAYTI, SD - For these kindergartners, strapped into their seats in a 11-foot-tall inflatable planetarium, they're truly embarking on an out-of-this-world adventure. Located in the school gym of Hamlin County, a place smack-dab in the middle of North America, the dark velvety dome of the planetarium hums with childish chatter. It's a spaceship, a time-machine, a magical portal to Jupiter.
Holding impassioned, dancing voices, museum educator Kristine Heinen steers the class across unfamiliar galaxies, weaving tales of space and science. "Now we're orbiting China!" she exclaims. "That's where my friend went on vacation!" a little voice responds.
This style of education is no stranger to South Dakota. The sprawling Hamlin Education Center, serving an entire district, is much like the one-room schoolhouses of Laura Ingalls Wilder fame. Comprising about 900 students from four adjacent towns, situated amidst miles of open fields, the Hamlin Education Center flourishes as a modern-day analogue to the pioneer spirit of the late 19th century.
A significant portion of the students hail from low-income households. Yet many have never set foot in the South Dakota Discovery Center, a hands-on science museum corralled in the state capital. Thanks to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), a part of the federal government, the Discovery Center brings a piece of the universe to these hometown heroes.
The dwarfed, yet powerful IMLS jumpstarted in 1996, combining separate programs within one medium-sized agency. The budget-friendly government department became the largest source of federal funding for museums and libraries, handing out $266.7 million in grants for research, policy development, and program assistance across the U.S. in the last year.
The agency awarded the South Dakota Discovery Center an estimated $45,000 to upgrade the traveling planetarium in 2023. However, the enthusiasm surrounding extraterrestrial exploration is tinged with uncertainty as the longevity of IMLS' programs is now in question.
The recent executive order signed by President Trump thrusts IMLS into the chopping block. On March 28, a slew of employees were marched out the door with nothing but a notice of administrative leave. But these employee dismissals quickly encountered a roadblock. The U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., temporarily restrained the agency dismantling on May 1 and May 6. IMLS employees are now back at work, but the uncertainty remains as the administration continues to fight for its closure.
Grants allocated to initiatives aimed at addressing systemic racism in museums and promoting equitable library practices have drawn the ire of critics, who find fault with the “DEI grants” as an attack on diversity and inclusivity efforts. Despite attempts by IMLS and the Department of Government Efficiency to respond to requests for comment, no answers have been forthcoming.
The IMLS veteran who spoke on the condition of anonymity fearing reprisal explains their turbulent experience. On March 28, staffers noticed a meeting between DOGE officials and leadership, followed by administrative leave on March 31.
Looking past their own predicament, the former employee is concerned for the local institutions left on the financial hook for interrupted grants. The "woozy" organizations like the South Dakota Discovery Center will "wobble" without crucial funding and be forced to scale back on ambitious programs, leaving the children with fewer opportunities to explore the cosmos.
As the Constellation-expert Heinen navigates her audience through the swirling stars, the children's eyes widening with awe, one thing is clear: this trip to the realm of the cosmos leaves them hungry for more.
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- The astronomy adventure in the Hamlin County school gym is an example of innovative early childhood education, providing a unique learning experience for kindergartners.
- Inequality in education opportunities is evident as many of the students from low-income households have never visited the South Dakota Discovery Center, a hands-on science museum.
- The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has played a significant role in bridging this gap, funding upgrades for educational programs like the traveling planetarium.
- The future of IMLS and its funding for education and self-development initiatives is uncertain, potentially affecting the longevity of ambitious programs and the opportunities for further learning and exploration.
