A mobile planetarium bringing space to the community

— A family planetarium at Hino Municipal Dai-roku Elementary School —

On June 29, 2025, we held a mobile planetarium event in the gymnasium of Hino Municipal Dai-roku Elementary School. The event was organized by Hoshitsumugi no Mura and co-hosted by Curascopium, with the cooperation of Hino City. About 80 children and their families took part, including children with disabilities for whom travel and outings can be difficult.

Choosing to bring the universe to school

A planetarium is normally something you travel to a dedicated facility to experience. For children with disabilities and their families, however, the travel itself can be a heavy burden.

By setting up a mobile dome in the school gymnasium, we chose a format where the universe comes to the children. What we valued most was that they could enjoy a cultural experience with peace of mind, in the familiar environment of their school.

A planetarium built on dialogue

The show was not a one-way commentary; it moved forward in conversation with the audience. By listening to the children's voices and reactions and adjusting to the mood of the room, each participant could enjoy the universe at their own pace.

Regardless of disability, sharing the same starry sky in the same space and talking about it as a family — that time itself became a precious bridge between special needs education and cultural experience.

An inclusive space created with the community

The event was family-oriented and open to the local community. With Hino City's full cooperation, many children from the neighborhood joined as well, and the whole community shared the experience of space together.

Rather than separating special needs education from cultural activities, we let them intersect naturally within the community — an approach that was very well received.

Looking ahead

Through mobile planetarium projects like this one, Curascopium aims to deliver experiences to people who have had limited opportunities to encounter space and science. We will keep exploring forms of space experience that everyone can join, in partnership with communities and other organizations.