The holiday season has arrived at the Center for Earth & Space Science Education at Tyler Junior College.
Center hours are 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays and 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturdays.
Dome shows with a holiday theme will be presented Tuesdays-Saturdays through Dec. 29, including:
- “Let It Snow” (10 a.m.) – The 30-minute show features a variety of high-resolution scenery and artistic animation, enhanced with real-time and lighting effects for added variety and drama.
- “Mystery of the Christmas Star” (11 a.m.) – Journey back more than 2000 years to Bethlehem for scientific explanation for the star the wise men followed to find the baby Jesus.
- “Season of Light” (1 p.m.) – This show recounts the historical religious and cultural rituals practiced during the time of winter solstice – not only Christian and Jewish, but also Celtic, Nordic, Roman, Irish, Mexican and Hopi. It also takes a look at some of our more light-hearted seasonal traditions: from gift giving and kissing under the mistletoe to the custom of decking the halls with greenery and candles. Saint Nicholas, Sinterklaas, Kris Kringle, Father Christmas, and Santa Claus all drop by as well
- “The Christmas Story” (3 p.m.) – Accompany Mary and Joseph to the Annunciation by the angel Gabriel in Nazareth to the search for a room in crowded Bethlehem. Stand before King Herod in his great palace, along side the three wise men from the East. Visit the shepherds and their flocks in a field and, in a stable, find the child in a manger.
The TJC science center is located at 1411 E. Lake St. Tickets are $5 for children, seniors and students and $7 for adults. Day passes are also available which allow visitors to see all of that day’s shows plus the “Oceans: Acid vs. Life” exhibit. Parking is free.
Theater seating is limited, and it is recommended that tickets be purchased in advance at the front counter or online at sciencecenter.tjc.edu.