Kerrigan’s appointment comes just days ahead of the Museum’s celebration of the grand re-opening of the Central Illinois Community Solar System – the world’s most complete scale model of the solar system – Saturday, February 8, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. The event features family friendly space-themed activities, workshops, and planetarium shows.
Retired Director of Education & Curator of the Solar System, Sheldon Schafer, a.k.a. “Mr. Space,” is making a special appearance at the Museum to cut the ribbon on his completely redesigned and recently completed Community Solar System. He’ll also be leading a “Guided Walk to Earth and Back” solar system tour along the Riverfront Trail.
Renae Kerrigan, Planetarium Curator, Peoria Riverfront Museum
Renae Kerrigan (née Stenger), a Central Illinois native, began her career in 2009 at Lakeview Museum, where she was a Bradley University intern for the Museum’s Education Department. Bradley University’s Smith Career Center recognized her as the 2010 Outstanding Coop/Intern of the Year, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Kerrigan graduated Summa Cum Laude from Bradley University in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science and an individualized major in Museum Education.
Kerrigan, who has worked in all areas of the education department, has been instrumental in transitioning the education program from Lakeview Museum of Arts and Sciences to the Peoria Riverfront Museum.
“I’ve always loved science and astronomy. The best part of my job has been and will be passing on that enthusiasm to others,” says Kerrigan, new Planetarium Curator, Peoria Riverfront Museum.
She adds, “Working at the museum has really opened up my world view. Sheldon Schafer and Ann Schmitt, as well as my other coworkers, have encouraged my love of science and astronomy. The best part of my job has been and will be passing on that enthusiasm to others.”
Sheldon Schafer, retired Director of Education & Curator of the Solar System, Peoria Riverfront Museum
February 8, we’re also celebrating the lengthy career of beloved outgoing Director of Education and Curator of the Solar System, Sheldon Schafer, known locally as “Mr. Space.” During his “far-out” career, Sheldon taught astronomy to and explored the universe with more than 500,000 school children over his nearly 40 years at Lakeview Museum of Arts and Sciences and Peoria Riverfront Museum (a stint which included 14 different Museum directors).
Ohio native Schafer began his career in southern India, teaching science for the Peace Corps. Later he worked at a planetarium in Yonkers, New York, setting up scale models of the solar system in the hallways of elementary schools in the South Bronx. “We’d make the Sun the thumbnail on a kid standing at one end of the hall and other kids would then hold signs for the planets,” Schafer recounts. “It was 10 giant steps to Saturn, 40 to Pluto.”
He was recognized in the 1995 Guinness Book of World Records for developing the world’s largest scale model of the solar system, inaugurated April 1992, at Lakeview.
“It’s been an exciting 38 years. I am so happy to have had the opportunities to do two major planetarium remodels, transition the planetarium system from analogue to digital, create two solar system models and help build a whole new museum. Those are things most people never even get to do once in a life-time. It’s been a great experience, but it’s still hard to leave, as my co-workers are like family,” says Schafer, retired Director of Education & Curator of the Solar System, Peoria Riverfront Museum.
Central Illinois Community Solar System Grand Re-opening event info:
Peoria Riverfront Museum’s Central Illinois Solar System Grand Re-opening features a day of fun-filled events for kids of all ages. Learn about your weight and age on other worlds in interactive demonstrations and much more!
Dome Planetarium Shows: 12:00 Stars Over Peoria, 12:30 Earth, Moon, and Sun, 2:30 Stars Over Peoria, 3:00 Uniview: Planet Quest, 4:00 Uniview: Planet Quest
Space Kids Workshop: 11-12 p.m.
Put on your space suits and get ready to blast off! Learn about rocket ships and astronauts in this hour-long workshop. Children will have a planetarium experience, listen to a story, and create a simple rocket to take home. Ages 3-5, one adult must stay with child (no charge for adult helper); $7.50 per child, max 8 children.
Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream Workshop: 1-2 p.m.
Mix up your own ice cream using liquid nitrogen, a substance that is negative 300 °F. We will make several types of ice cream that are safe to eat, and learn about what astronauts eat! Ages 8 and up, $7.50 per participant, max 25.
Guided Walk to Earth and Back: 2-3:30 pm – led by Sheldon Schafer
Take a walk along the orbits of Mercury, Venus and Earth on the Riverfront Trail, and learn about the size and distance of the planets from the sun. We will adjourn to the River Classroom for a quick overview of the other planets in the community solar system.
The Peoria Riverfront Museum is the collaborative effort of eight organizations, with nearly 500 years of combined experience educating, entertaining, and supporting our diverse Peoria-area culture. Our mission is to inspire lifelong learning for all – connecting art, history, science, and achievement through collections, exhibitions, and programs.
For more information visit us at www.peoriariverfrontmuseum.org.