Parkersburg High School Foundation announces renovation project for Dwight O. Conner Planetarium | News, Sports, Jobs

The old projection system at Parkersburg High School’s historic Dwight O. Conner Planetarium, shown here, is set to get upgraded along with other improvements to the planetarium that include renovated seating, advanced lighting and cutting-edge software. The project is expected to be completed by December. (Photo Provided)

The Parkersburg High School Dwight O. Conner Planetarium will be getting upgrades aimed at bringing the facility into the 21st century with state-of-the-art technology and enhanced educational opportunities. (Photo Provided)

The old projection system at Parkersburg High School’s historic Dwight O. Conner Planetarium, shown here, is set to get upgraded along with other improvements to the planetarium that include renovated seating, advanced lighting and cutting-edge software. The project is expected to be completed by December. (Photo Provided)

PARKERSBURG — The Parkersburg High School Foundation has announced a significant renovation project for the school’s historic Dwight O. Conner Planetarium, aiming to bring the facility into the 21st century with state-of-the-art technology and enhanced educational opportunities.

Fred Earley, PHS Foundation board president, talked to the Wood County Board of Education Tuesday night about the project saying it’s the foundation’s longstanding commitment to supporting academic excellence that prompted the change.

“It is the mission of the Parkersburg High School Foundation to encourage traditions and enhance the educational excellence at Parkersburg High School,” Earley said. “As a board, we have taken the action to approve the funding for renovations and upgrading of up to $300,000 in expenditures for this project, and we just signed a contract last week with the organization, ASH Enterprises, which specializes in doing planetariums throughout the country, and they’re going to be our true developer.”

He said the PHS planetarium is the last school-based planetarium in West Virginia and that the need arose for the update as technology continues to improve, and the old equipment could no longer be serviced. He said the upgrades will include better sound and accessibility and will allow for more visitors. Those upgrades will include a new digital projection system, renovated seating, advanced lighting, and cutting-edge software.

“Everything that you can see in the planetarium today is taken from the perspective of if you’re standing on Earth. But now… we can do things with software like the moon shooting back at Earth or throughout the solar system, so a totally different level of curriculum can be offered,” Earley said.

The Parkersburg High School Dwight O. Conner Planetarium will be getting upgrades aimed at bringing the facility into the 21st century with state-of-the-art technology and enhanced educational opportunities. (Photo Provided)

A release from the foundation said Summer Bunner, instructor at PHS and director of the planetarium, has helped plan out the new technology, which will go beyond astronomy and into STEM, reaching many students from other classes as well.

“We are planning shows in the future that invite students from Wood County and beyond

to experience the new state-of-the-art Planetarium. We are excited about the new updates,” PHS Principal Jason Potts said.

Earley told the board the project is expected to be completed by December, in time for the traditional holiday programs, emphasizing the broader impact of the renovation.

“This is one that doesn’t just benefit Parkersburg High School, but really one that helps the entire system within Wood County… it is, as I said, the only planetarium in a public school in the state,” Earley said.

“Even though we are funding it, all that will be then donated to the board of education and become an asset of the board in the school system,” Earley said.

Members of the board thanked Earley and the foundations for their continued support.

“You guys do so much to support the education of our students and our faculty,” Board President Justin Raber said. “So on behalf of the board, thank you, and please take that back to the (foundation) board for us.”

Board member Judy Johnson said she attended events at the planetarium when she was a teacher and with her son’s scout troop.

“I can’t wait until you get one with all the bells and whistles with the computerized system,” Johnson said. “It’ll be exciting. I’ll be one of the first that’ll go in.”

To follow along with the progress and learn more about how to support these efforts, visit: https://parkersburghighschoolfoundation.org/planetarium.