Morehead Planetarium and Science Center
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Initiatives
Annual Fund
Annual Fund
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Outreach Programs Fund
Outreach Programs Fund
Morehead Planetarium and Science Center’s outreach programs reach North Carolina’s current and next generations with a universe of possibilities. Through engagement with local community partnerships and investments in programming, vehicles, and tools, we bring accessible, high-quality STEM learning experiences to underserved areas and populations across the state, regardless of a family’s ability to pay.
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#TakeUpSpace Seat Campaign
#TakeUpSpace Seat Campaign
In our GlaxoSmithKline Fulldome Theater, where astronauts have trained and schoolchildren have marveled since 1949, we’ve created naming opportunities on all 219 brand-new seats. For $5,000, your seat will have its own plaque affixed to the armrest and engraved with your name or the name of someone you choose to honor. Your dedicated seat contribution generally supports Morehead’s comprehensive upgrade which includes a fully renovated theater (new carpet, seats, paint, and projectors), ADA-compliant elevator upgrades, and structural renovations that aid and increase our visitor and exhibit footprint. It will help fund exciting new educational and exhibit spaces and programs. This giving option makes a great graduation or holiday gift, as well as in-memoriam gifts.
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About Us
The newly renovated Morehead building houses the GlaxoSmithKline Fulldome Theater, as well as the Science Stage, new and expanded exhibits, and updated classrooms. In front of Morehead, along Franklin Street, you will find our large iconic sundial. The Morehead Building and planetarium was built as a gift from John Motley Morehead III, UNC class of 1891.
Since the planetarium opened in 1949, millions of North Carolina students, teachers and families, as well as visitors from around the world, have benefited from Morehead science programs. Our most famous visitors were the U.S. astronauts during their training for the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo missions, including 11 of the 12 astronauts who have walked on the Moon.
Many of the planetarium’s shows are original productions, written and designed by Morehead’s production team.
Morehead’s programs include classes for adults and children, special courses for teachers, summer camps for children, after-school programs, memberships, public viewings of astronomical events and public lectures. Since 2010, Morehead has produced the North Carolina Science Festival.
Between traditional onsite offerings and state outreach, Morehead serves more than a half-million people every year.
