Thank you for your interest in the Science Center Outreach Program at Glendale Community College. 

Since 2005, the Science Center at Glendale Community College has been offering surrounding elementary and middle schools the opportunity to make a science-oriented field trip to the college. We have a state-of-the-art digital planetarium with full dome video projection, and a well-equipped room where young students can explore hands-on science. 

All visits are free for public schools and private non-profit schools.  All you need to do is get here.

I.   What We Offer: 

Our program is offered from 9:30 A.M. until 12:00 P.M. several mornings each week during the academic year.  Each visit consists of both a planetarium presentation and a hands-on science activity.  Each experience lasts approximately 1.25 hours and is meant to augment your science teaching. We have a variety of presentations and activities you may choose from, to best fit your class and curriculum.

II.  Plan your Visit:

Our program can accommodate groups of either 24 to 36 (single class) or 48 to 72 students (double class). Large groups will be divided so that one half is in the planetarium and the other in the science activity room. (Room capacity limits dictate these upper number and efficiency of facilities and personnel confine the lower number.)  

If your group size falls outside of these requirements we encourage you to either pair up with another class in your school or district, or request additional visits as needed. 

All visiting groups are required to bring along teachers and chaperones to supervise the students, help them get the most of their visit, and take care of emergencies as necessary. Groups arriving without the requisite number of chaperons may be refused future visits to the Science Center. The number of chaperons must be as follows:

• For single classes of 24 to 36, one lead teacher and at least two adults are required.
• For double classes of 48 to 72, two lead teachers and at least three or four adults are required.

Please be aware that control of the young visitors is the responsibility of the lead teacher.  Due to safety and security concerns, unruly or disruptive behavior will require the GCC science center staff to immediately end the presentation/activity until the situation is resolved.

III.  Request a reservation:

• Step 1. Review the List of Presentations and Activities that are available and choose the presentation and activity you wish for your group.
• Step 2. Go to the GCC Science Center Outreach Calendar, find an open date proceed to step 3 below to make your reservation.  (Please note that the sign available SCV (single class vacancy) on a given date means that a single class has already made a reservation for that date and so there is only room left for another group of the same size.  Since our program is becoming increasingly popular, we ask that if you are bringing a single group of less than 36, please look for dates on the calendar that show this SCV sign so that we can keep as many dates as possible open for large groups.)
• Step 3. Complete the online Reservation Request Form.  Once the Science Center team has scheduled your request, a confirmation e-mail will be sent to you.  It is only with this confirmation that the reservation can be considered secured.

Important: Cancellations

If one of your students tests positive for Covid in the 5 days prior to your visit, you must cancel your visit and reschedule it. In such a case, please call us as soon as possible at 818-240-1000 ext. 3942 and let us know. In the past we have requested that, if a cancellation is needed it be made at least two weeks or more in advance so that another group could take advantage of that time slot. This still applies for non-Covid-related cancellations, but Covid related cancellations will be accepted at any time.

We all look forward to your visit.

• Joy Hinckley, Sandra Mims, and Dieanna Harper: tour planners and science activity instructors
• Dr. Jennifer Krestow, planetarium director and planetarium presenter
• Barbara Falkowski, astronomer and planetarium presenter 
• Dr. Jean Lecuyer, Science Center director (818-240-1000 ext. 5358)