WHAT: A behind the scenes look at the Dayna & Ronald L. Sawyer Space Dome Planetarium at Sci-Port and a welcoming reception for formal and informal educators from Torino, Italy with cocktails and Hors d'oeuvres provided by Sci-Port.

WHO: Infini.to Planetarium Coordinator Emanuele Balboni; Infini.to Planetarium Specialist Educators Gennaro Fanelli, Mirella Maria Rossino and Antolnella Germini; Infini.to Project Manager Giorgia Givone; Specialist Infini.to Coordinator Eleonora Monge; Bossier; Caddo and DeSoto Parish educators; Sci-Port President Ann Fumarolo;

Sci-Port Project Manager Michelle Skaggs; Special Program Coordinator Rebecca Prosino and Planetarium Manager Greg Andrews

WHEN: Thursday, December 1, 3:30 p.m.

WHERE: Sci-Port: Louisiana’s Science Center

Dayna & Ronald L. Sawyer Space Dome Planetarium

820 Clyde Fant Parkway

Shreveport, LA 71101

WHY: Sci-Port: Louisiana’s Science Center’s Space Dome Planetarium was constructed at the Center in 2006 and was funded by Dayna and Ronald L. Sawyer. Now, both the local media and educators from around the region and world will have a behind the scenes tour of the unique planetarium. Sci-Port was the first institution ever to utilize the Digistar3 software through its 16-million pixel laser projection system.

Following the tour will be a reception welcoming the formal and informal educators visiting from Torino, Italy. Earlier this year, Sci-Port received a $75,000 grant for a continuation of a collaborative project with Infini.to planetarium in Torino. The institutions are reconnecting to engage new audiences of local astronomy teachers in developing a planetarium program that addresses educational needs in their high school classrooms and provides students with formal and informal learning opportunities related to science and culture. The grant was awarded through the Museums & Community Collaborations Abroad (MCCA) program by the American Association of Museums (AAM) and the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Sci-Port: Louisiana’s Science Center is a 92,000 square-foot science and entertainment center featuring 290 hands-on exhibits, 70 interactive programs and demonstrations, a Space Center and Space Dome Planetarium, IMAX Dome Theatre, gift shop and café. Sci-Port is a member of the Association of Science-Technology Centers; a LA Space Consortium member and is recognized by Parents magazine as one of the nation’s ten best science centers. The Center is located at 820

Clyde Fant Parkway on the downtown Shreveport Riverfront. For information regarding hours, IMAX showings or special programs, call (318) 424-3466, toll free at (877) 724-7678 or visit www.sciport.org.

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