Planetarium Renovation

Few classes excited ELCO Middle School students more than Space Science in the planetarium. Years of alumni can talk about Mr. Phillips and can still name all of the stars in the Big Dipper.

With the commitment of the ELCO School District and the ELCO Education Foundation, the planetarium underwent a renovation.

SSIA Technologies, which specializes in planetariums and immersive venues, installed a state-of-the-art system to take students on journeys through space, adventures in history, under the sea, and many more. Programs in the planetarium will benefit students in all grades and across numerous academic areas. See some examples of shows on the SSIA Technologies website.

A Night Under the Stars Recap

The ELCO Education Foundation’s A Night Under The Stars gala in August 2023 raised $105,000 toward the renovation of the ELCO Planetarium. The event at Willow Springs in Richland, Pa., included live and silent auctions, the option to sponsor a telescope, live music, and stargazing. Beloved teacher Mr. Phillips attended and spoke about his time teaching at ELCO. In fact, the most popular auction item of the evening was a night of stargazing with Mr. Phillips along with a telescope from his personal collection!