Why a Store?
We have big vision, but we also recognize vision without funding is … hallucination. And these are tough economic times for non-profits dedicated to social need. So we decided to open Store Galactica. The net profit from anything you buy at the store directly supports our programs. The store is also the direct conduit for the Center to accept donations online. We also invite you to explore the many other non-monetary ways you can help support the Center’s programs.
Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Apollo on the Moon, a large illuminated 3D sculpture inside solid crystal block. The art was commissioned for the Voyage scale model Solar System in Kansas City. Click on Image for Details
The Store Galactica Experience
We’re an organization dedicated to educating the next generation, so we decided to open a very different kind of online store. Store Galactica is a place where our visitors can have a learning experience, and see the depth of our commitment to education in our products—many of which are derived directly from our national programs.
As an example, see the Store Galactica pages dedicated to the laser-sculpted crystal products from the Voyage National Program—Crystal Series 1 that contains replicas of the one to 10-billion scale model planets, dwarf planets, and moons found in the Voyage exhibition on the National Mall in Washington, DC, and in communities across the U.S.; and Crystal Series 2 containing sculptures commissioned for the Voyage Solar System in Kansas City, by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Each product page includes links to relevant education pages at Blog on the Universe, and to websites from other organizations. See, e.g., the product pages for the crystal sculptures celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Apollo on the Moon, the Gemini Telescope on the Big Island of Hawai’i, and the illuminated crystal keychain containing Saturn and Earth at one 10-billionth actual size.
Science You Can Trust
Store Galactica also has a department called Science You Can Trust. When it comes to science education products like books, films, multimedia, games, and other resources, there’s a lot of stuff out there. Much of it is fluff—full of inaccurate content, boring, or loaded with overwhelming and irrelevant facts and figures. That’s not science education. So we decided to create a place where teachers and parents can go for high quality science education products recommended by folks that understand good science education. Welcome to Science You Can Trust.
A large crystal sculpture containing all 25 worlds—at one 10-billionth actual size—as found in the Voyage model Solar System exhibition on the National Mall in Washington, DC, and in communities across the U.S. Click on Image for Details
Currently, we’ve got two sections at Science You Can Trust—
- Autographed copies of the award-winning Max the Dog Children’s Book Series by Jeffrey Bennett, Ph.D. You can enjoy Max’s trips to the Moon, Mars, and Jupiter knowing there is a Science Advisory team behind each book, and an author who is a remarkable science educator.
- Staff Picks in Science Education, where our staff has put together a list of high quality products available at Amazon.com. In fact, anything you purchase at Amazon.com, if purchased by going through our Amazon.com Affiliates link, helps support the Center’s programs. (Remember to book mark the page.)
Our Mission
When it comes to science education we know the Center’s programs are powerful, allowing audiences of all ages to gain a deeper understanding of their world in a greater universe. But there’s also a pragmatic goal—we want to help ensure America has a next generation of scientists and engineers so this nation can compete successfully in the high technology marketplace of the 21st century. Simply put, we believe science education is of national strategic importance, our programs are designed to meet these needs, and Store Galactica helps ensure these programs are sustained.
We promise you’ll see products here that are both unique and remarkable … just like our programs. So enjoy Store Galactica (cool name, don’t you think?) and look for lots of new products in 2010.
Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the launch of the Hubble Space Telescope, a large illuminated 3D sculpture inside solid crystal. Click on Image for Details
An illuminated crystal keychain containing the Voyage exhibition's Saturn and Earth, laser-sculpted in 3D at one 10-billionth actual size. Click on Image for Details
One of three award winning children's books in the Max Science Adventure Series, and signed by author Dr. Jeffrey Bennett. They are found in the Science You Can Trust department at Store Galactica. Click on Image for Details