MCC Planetarium

About this event

MCC Planetarium

Reach for the stars! Inside the planetarium dome at Mesa Community College, students are transported across the solar system and beyond. From planets and constellations to the science of day and night, it's an awe-inspiring journey through space science.

Program Details

• Date: Wednesday, December 9, 2026

• Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

• Location: MCC Planetarium, 1833 W Southern Ave, Mesa, AZ 85202

• Grades: Pre-K through 12th

• Educational Focus: Earth & Space Science

• Cost: $35 per student

• Drop-Off Option: +$65 (limited to 5 students)

Educational Focus by Grade Level This program explores the solar system, the night sky, and Earth's place in space, all intentionally aligned to Arizona State Standards. Here's how the learning connects at each grade level:

• Pre-K–K: Exploring the sun, moon, and stars aligns with the Arizona Early Learning Standards and Arizona State Standards for early Earth and space science.

• Grades 1–2: Day, night, and patterns in the sky align with Arizona State Standards for primary Earth and space science.

• Grades 3–5: The solar system, stars, and Earth's place in space align with Arizona State Standards for elementary Earth and space science.

• Grades 6–8: Orbits, scale, and the wider universe align with Arizona State Standards for middle-grade space science.

• Grades 9-12: Stellar evolution, gravity, planetary motion, scale, and the origin and structure of the universe align with Arizona State Standards for high school Earth and space science.

What's Included

• A planetarium dome show and presentation ( Forward! To The Moon OR Mars: The Ultimate Voyage )

• A hands-on welcome activity led by Discoveries in the Desert

• A standards-aligned education packet, specific to each grade band (emailed 1 week prior to the program)

• A small-group, well-supervised experience

What to Bring

A refillable water bottle and comfortable clothing.

Safety Is Our Top Priority

Your student's safety comes first at every Discoveries in the Desert program. Allie is personally present at every single field trip, holds a current Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card, and keeps every group small and closely supervised. For students enrolled in the drop-off option, a photo ID is required and checked for every adult at pickup — no student is ever released to anyone not listed on their registration. Full safety and program policies are available on our FAQs page.

Family Participation Model

This field trip follows a family participation model. Unless you select the drop-off option (additional fee applies), a parent/guardian or designated adult is required to attend and chaperone their student for the full program. Depending on the venue, there may be a fee for adult participation (see program fees above).

To reserve as much space as possible for students, we limit attendance to a maximum of one adult per child. Can't attend yourself? You're welcome to arrange for another participating parent to chaperone your student for the duration of the program. Just a note on the registration form telling us who will be responsible for your student if it's someone other than you.

How Registration & Payment Works

Advance registration and payment are required to participate. We do not offer day-of or walk-in registration, and your student's spot is confirmed only once payment is received. Spaces are limited and fill quickly.

To register:

• Register online through this page. For single programs, one registration form is required per family. If booking a Discovery Pass package, one registration form is required per student.

• Select your payment method when you register. We will email you an invoice with payment instructions. • ESA payments — select the ESA option on your registration form. We will email you a detailed invoice which you can upload and pay directly through ClassWallet .

• Parents and non-ESA payments — accepted payment methods include major debit and credit cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay. Choose your preferred payment method on your registration form and we will email you an invoice along with payment instructions.

• Make your payment to secure your spot! Please note, we will only hold your spot for a few days after your payment invoice has been sent to you. You will receive an email letting you know your payment has been received and you are confirmed.

Questions about payment, ESA/ClassWallet, what's included, or how our programs work?

Drop-Off Option Available

Prefer to drop your student off? Every field trip offers a limited drop-off option , where your child stays with our owner, Allie, and our small group for the full program while you go about your day. Space is limited to 5 students per field trip , and an additional fee applies. At pickup, a photo ID is required and checked for every adult. Students are released only to the parents or authorized adults listed on their registration.

Save with a Discovery Pass

Booking more than one field trip this fall? Bundle your programs with a Discovery Pass and save:

• 4-Pack — save $15

• 6-Pack — save $30

• 8-Pack — save $50

• 10-Pack — save $75

All programs in your pass are booked at the same time. See the full fall schedule →

Program Policies

Click here to read and review all program policies.