Support Us!

There are many ways to support the work of the Staerkel Planetarium!

• Come see a show.   
• Donate now via credit card. Click on the button for "Department/Program/Scholarship fund" then type "Planetarium" in the box. Your donation is tax-deductible. (Note: this site is not for groups paying for field trips or for Friends memberships!).
  
  
  Donate Now
• Enroll in the Friends of the Staerkel Planetarium.
  Members of FOSP support the second largest planetarium in the state and science education within the Parkland College district; 100% of your membership fees are used by the Staerkel Planetarium to offset production costs. Friends of the Staerkel Planetarium are entitled to the following benefits:
  • Free admission to public shows for one year
  • Free admission to talks in the James B. Kaler Science Lecture Series
  • Invitations to members-only events
  • Skylines, the quarterly members' electronic newsletter
  Membership rates:

  Sustaining - $180
  Parkland students/faculty/staff - $35
  Seniors - $35
  Individual membership - $40
  Family (seniors/students/faculty/staff) - $60
  Family membership - $65

  Joining FOSP is easy!  Simply print out this form and mail it to us with a check for the appropriate amount above made out to "Parkland College." You may also complete the form in our lobby. It is helpful if you let us know whether this is a new membership or renewal. Once we receive your information, we will mail you your membership card. Consider a gift membership for someone special! Send to:
            William M. Staerkel Planetarium
            c/o Parkland College
            2400 West Bradley Ave.
            Champaign, IL 61821
   
• Sponsor one of our new seats. For a $400 one-time donation, we will put your name on one of our new Irwin planetarium chairs, installed in the fall of 2016. A small gold plaque will be affixed to the chair of your choice plus, soon this web site will become interactive where you can see who sponsored seats online. Contact Erik Johnson at 217/351-2567 or email planetarium@parkland.edu for more information.