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Group raises $50,000 for planetarium project

Hollidaysburg’s student-driven effort still short on funds

The Hollidaysburg Area “Save Our Planetarium” group raised $50,000 to put toward the purchase of a new $250,000 digital projector that could provide college coursework to high school students for generations, senior Nathan Stull said Wednesday.

The board was taken aback by the group’s fundraising effort.

“I was very impressed with the passion you showed in the beginning when you pitched this idea to us. Now, to raise $50,000 is no small feat. That is incredible,” board member Jim Gregory said.

The student-driven effort, aided by mentors including science teacher Rick Imler, was applauded by administrators and parents in attendance at the Hollidaysburg Area Senior High library.

But a lion’s share of the cost remains, and, although the group continues fundraising, it is asking the board to help with the cost.

Drew Swope echoed Gregory’s comments and saw the project as a worthwhile endeavor.

“Amazing job. We want to do what we can to help,” he said.

However, the expense didn’t go unchallenged.

Board member Lois Kaneshiki challenged the academic value of the planetarium projector.

“Mr. Imler, I know the planetarium is a cool thing and it’s neat, but can you tell us how it will improve readiness for college?” she asked.

Imler explained that students will not just be watching shows but programming and presenting them.

Space shows on the former planetarium projector, which was installed in the Sputnik age and had only in recent years been shut down, sparked Stull’s interest in high school.

“I appreciate that,” Kaneshiki said. “My concern is there’s a difference between being interested in science and being ready for science in college. We know a large number of students drop out or change majors because it’s too hard. We don’t have the data of how many of our students are taking remedial math or science in college. … That’s my concern, not that we have something cool to see space.”

Saint Francis University Professor Ed Zovinka, a new addition to the planetarium fundraising group, responded. He was adamant that Hollidaysburg Area’s science program prepares students for college well and a planetarium would be a valuable asset to that end.

“I know they are prepared. I want to keep building that,” he said.

Kaneshiki said it would be valuable to get feedback from students in college on where they feel they may be falling short.

Stull interjected.

“You are talking about preparing us for college. If we have this college tool, we can have college classes in high school. That is being prepared,” he said.

The board will revisit the matter after fundraising progresses.

Also during the meeting, the board approved 13 students to travel to Washington, D.C., today to attend President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugura on Friday.

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