Astronomy in Action’s portable planetariums are the best way to take a field trip without paying for transportation, sending home permission forms, or spending your entire budget in one go. All our programs are based on the Ontario science curriculum, use a student centered learning approach, and are guaranteed to generate excitement about science and astronomy. For pricing, availability, and to book your planetarium program, contact us now!

Rocket Ship - Preschool & Kindergarten

The Rocket Ship program from Astronomy in Action is a friendly and welcoming introduction to space.  Children use their imagination to spot shapes in the stars, fly around the Moon, and become astronauts as they take a rocket ship ride into outer space!

25-35 minutes

Constellation - Grades 1, 2, & 3

Astronomy in Action’s program for elementary grades 1-3 is an inquiry-based space mission for young students to experience the night sky in a fun and relaxing environment.

Learn about astronauts aboard the International Space Station, travel through the solar system, and explore constellations! Students actively participate during programs as they learn and can ask all their great questions!

35-45 minutes

solar system - grades 4, 5, & 6

Astronomy in Action’s middle school programs are the adventure of a lifetime! Students explore the solar system and the unique properties of planets, with an emphasis on Mars and the challenges of spaceflight.

Once the stars come out, students will experience a truly dark night sky unlike anything they’ve seen before, learning how to navigate, find constellations, identify the Milky Way, and encounter black holes! Students participate and are encouraged to drive the program through questions and decision making. There is no limit to what can be explored!

40-50 minutes

Galaxy - Grades 7 & 8

Astronomy in Action’s intermediate program is an exploration of the entire galaxy, and even galaxies beyond! This program is guaranteed to inspire students’ curiosity about space. Students will explore the properties of stars and how they form planets, relating to the birth of our solar system. They will experience the Milky Way and Andromeda galaxies up close, visit black holes, and learn to identify objects across the night sky!

By exploring the challenges of space flight from a Canadian perspective, students will understand what it means to be an astronaut and what it takes to travel to Mars and beyond. Questions are encouraged, and student curiosity drives the show!

45-55 minutes

Galaxy Cluster - Grades 9 & 10

Astronomy in Action’s High School program is tailored to support science curriculum with stunning visuals and inquiry based STEM learning. Explore human and robotic spaceflight, properties of the solar system, the life and death of stars, black holes, and the evolution of the universe from the big bang to today.

With an expert astronomer, the deep questions that students ask are answered and discussed, providing valuable insight and encouraging students to dive deep on topics of interest. Our inquiry based approach allows students to express their interests, and with thousands of animations and objects that can be displayed instantly, there are no limits to where they can go!

55-65 minutes

Universe - Grades 11 & 12

Astronomy in Action’s Universe is a program supporting concepts from upper level science courses such as Physics, Chemistry, Environmental Science, and Earth & Space Science.  This program covers concepts such as star formation and properties, solar system formation and exoplanets, galaxies, the EM spectrum, and cosmology concepts such as dark matter, dark energy, gravitational waves, and the Big Bang.

Topics focus on student interest and curiosity, and students guide the program across the universe through inquiry and decisions.

55-65 minutes

Ryan Marciniak - Director

Daniel Lee-Ying - Program Presenter

Ryan saw a solar eclipse at age 7, kick-starting his lifelong passion for astronomy. After earning his M.Sc. in astrophysics, he has spent over 12 years travelling across Ontario, performing live science shows, developing interactive exhibits, and reaching hundreds of thousands of people with planetarium programs! Constantly developing new ideas and content for the planetarium, his passion for astronomy and space science is infectious!

Ryan has also appeared as an expert astronomer for media appearances with CBC, CTV, History Channel, 680 News, and many more.

Since he was young, Daniel always had a vivid imagination. Witnessing the Aurora borealis and a nighttime shuttle launch at a young age solidified Daniel’s interest of our night sky.

As a professional Science Communicator for over 20 years and having delivered and developed Planetarium shows for over 18 years, Daniel has brought unforgettable wonder, excitement, and awe to audiences of all ages.  Daniel has also appeared as a Science Communicator for media appearances on Global, Rogers, CP24, City TV, Breakfast Television, and many more.

Jackie Otaguro - Office Manager

Caitlin Ryan - Program Presenter

From a young age, Jackie had a passion for learning. After earning her H.B.Sc. in Physics & Astronomy with Astrophysics specialization, she went on to complete her M.Sc. in Astronomy.

Living in Winnipeg for the past 13 years, Jackie spent much of her time volunteering with and working for Manitoba’s first registered charity no-kill animal shelter. She also served as Executive Director for a major political party and spent 10 years as an Executive Assistant with the City of Winnipeg. She gained invaluable experience in office management, project management, and accounting/ bookkeeping, which she has now brought to Astronomy in Action after her return to Ontario.

Caitlin's enthusiasm for stargazing is tied to her love for storytelling. She has an MA in Classical Civilizations and Myth, and is fascinated by the way people groups from around the globe have used constellations to illustrate folk tales.

She has spent over 16 years as a museum professional, delivering and developing interactive and dynamic programming to many diverse audiences. Caitlin has appeared in media as a Science Communicator for Accessible Media Inc., and as a Historical Interpreter for CTV, the Toronto Star, and more.

Mark Kingston - Program presenter

Alyssa Rashid - Program Presenter

From a young age, Mark has been a natural night owl, and his passion for the night sky has only grown stronger over the years because of it. With his trusty telescopes in hand, he’s always ready to explore the cosmos alongside family and friends. Whether he’s tracking the changing phases of the moon or guiding people through the dance of planets and constellations throughout the year, Mark loves sharing the wonders of the universe.

His mission? To spark a greater interest in the beautiful, mysterious world that unfolds above us each night.

Alyssa’s passion for astronomy began at a young age after her first planetarium show sparked a lifelong fascination with the cosmos.

An Ontario Certified Teacher with an M.A. in Child Study and Education, she enjoys engaging with audiences and making astronomical concepts exciting for learners of all ages. Alyssa is dedicated to inspiring curiosity and wonder about the cosmos, from the marvels of our solar system to the mysteries of deep space. Through inquiry-based learning and interactive experiences, Alyssa strives to inspire a lifelong appreciation for astronomy.