The New Dome: How a Reopened Planetarium Is Changing Learning

A new chapter is opening for the University of Arkansas at Little Rock as its planetarium, renamed after a generous donor, will welcome students and the public again in fall 2026. After almost twenty years of silence, the venue is being upgraded with state‑of‑the‑art projection and sound. The money that made the upgrade possible came from a $1. 2 million gift in memory of a local business leader, and it reflects the university’s growing focus on science. For physics professor Gregory Guisbiers, the dome is more than a pretty room. He sees it as a tool that can turn hard concepts—like the math behind quantum computers or the motion of planets—into experiences that students can feel and see. By showing waves, particles, and data inside the dome, he hopes learners will develop a better sense of what is happening in these abstract fields. He also plans to mix classroom lessons with real research, letting students test simulations and see how their work fits into bigger questions.Geology teacher Michael DeAngelis has a similar vision. His department already takes students on trips to the Bahamas, Colorado, and Arkansas. Now he imagines virtual journeys to places that are hard or impossible to reach: the Himalayas, Antarctica, deep caves in Mexico, and even Mars. The planetarium’s technology lets him bring images of rocks, fossils, and space phenomena to life in a way that slides on a screen can’t match. Both professors believe the planetarium will make learning feel more alive. It will bring together science, art, music, and even business ideas in one shared space. The university hopes the dome will not only teach but also spark curiosity, inspiring students and community members alike to wonder about the world. As Little Rock prepares for its centennial, reopening the planetarium signals a commitment to hands‑on learning and community engagement. It shows that the university is ready to lead regional science education into a future where learning happens inside and outside of classrooms.