The new Whitworth Ferguson Planetarium is a state-of-the-art STEAM facility that anchors the dramatic atrium in the Science and Mathematics Complex at Buffalo State. Since opening to the public in October 2021, the planetarium has hosted over 9,000 visitors during campus classes, public programs, private events, and school and Scout visits. Approximately 1,900 of those visitors were K-12 students from schools across Western New York.

As an immersive educational experience, the planetarium transports visitors across the Universe and shows objects in the night sky such as constellations, planets, and the Moon. Various programs inspire and engage visitors with topics in Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Math (STEAM) and often connect to current events such as what is visible in the night sky and results from spacecraft. One of the most important abilities of the planetarium is to show visitors the effect of light pollution and what the night sky looks like with no light pollution. This helps visitors connect with the night sky and to understand how humans used to be more connected with the sky. Viewing the sky with no light pollution is important because most visitors have never seen the sky that way, especially for those from Buffalo and the surrounding suburbs.

Based on feedback from teachers, at more than $500 per bus, the cost of busing is the limiting factor for schools that want to visit the planetarium but cant afford to, and this disproportionally affects Buffalo Public Schools and those in some rural locations. Even though we are located in Buffalos "Cultural Corridor", less than 10% of our K-12 student visitors come from BPS or rural schools. The cost of transportation also prevents some adults with special needs and senior citizen groups from visiting the planetarium.

To help address this inequity, the Planetarium for Everyone Fund will provide bus awards through a short application process. Once awarded, the visiting school will arrange the bus, and the invoice will be paid through this fund. For groups that also cannot afford the admission costs, internal planetarium funds will be used to cover the admissions.

By contributing to this fund, you will help bring the inspiration and engagement of the planetarium experience to K-12 students and adult populations that would not otherwise be able to afford the transportation costs. Please help us make the planetarium affordable for everyone!