Ric and Jean Edelman Planetarium

The Ric & Jean Edelman Planetarium at Rowan University, in collaboration with faculty and undergraduate students from the College of Engineering, will expand the planetarium’s capacity to provide engaging, interactive, and educational visitor experiences by transforming its atrium into a dynamic learning space that complements dome shows and enhances STEM engagement for the public. Project activities include repairing and reinstalling the planetarium’s Viking Lander model with new educational signage; supporting a year-long Junior/Senior Engineering Design Clinic in which 5–20 engineering students will design and prototype two accessible, interactive exhibits grounded in Viking-related scientific concepts; and partnering with a professional fabrication firm to construct and install the final exhibits. The primary beneficiaries include the planetarium’s 35,000 annual visitors—among them more than 15,000 K-12 students who attend free field trips—as well as hundreds of Rowan University students who pass through the atrium daily. Engineering undergraduates will also benefit through hands-on experience in client-driven design, prototyping, and interdisciplinary collaboration, strengthening their technical and professional competencies.