Alaska is a place like no other. For many people a trip to Alaska is a life-long dream. For the people who live here, they depend on and protect an enduring way of life. But there are places in our state so remote, so wild, that few Alaskans have ever gone. Here in the planetarium we're going to take you to these places, to remote wilderness to see iconic animals and landscapes that define the Last Frontier, places that make Alaska...Alaska.
After creating River of Bears, we were invited by the Alaska Department of Fish & Game and the National Park Service to film at Round Island, part of the Walrus Islands State Game Sanctuary in Bristol Bay. There we discovered a place so pristine, so remote, that it felt like it was completely isolated from the rest of the world. But we soon learned that most of the animals there were seasonal vistors. This includes seabirds such as puffins, cormorants, and kittiwakes, as well as sea life such as steller sea lions and walrus, the namesake of the sanctuary. We also learned that Round Island and its animals are being affected by climate change, just like the rest of Alaska.
"A Place Like No Other" takes you all over the state to experience Alaska in a way few ever will. In addition to the animals of Round Island, you'll learn about polar bears, salmon, and other iconic Alaska species. You'll also learn about the roles these animals play in the lives of Alaskans. As the climate changes in the Arctic, scientists are studying how our state is being affected, and what the future holds. In this show you'll meet some of the people working to protect our way of life.
This is a live-action wildlife documentary shot in the fulldome format. Using special cameras, immersive video was shot in all directions to give the sensation of what it is like to be at each of the locations in the film. Video obtained through telephoto lenses is also used to show animal behavior "up close," as you might see with a pair of binoculars. You'll experience the sights and sounds of Alaska in a way never done before.
"A Place Like No Other" will be distributed to other planetariums with no licensing fee. We ask only for a small fee to cover the costs of the hard drive and shipping. To learn more please contact us at planetarium@alaska.edu.
FOR EDUCATORS
This show aligns with the following science standards for Alaska diciplinary core ideas: K-LS1-1, K-ESS2-2, K-ESS3-1, K-ESS3-3, K-ESS2-1, 2-LS4-1, 2-ESS2-2, 3-LS2-1, 3-LS4-3, 3-LS4-4, 3-LS3-2, 3-LS4-2, 4-ESS3-2, 5-LS1-1, 5-LS2-1, 5-ESS2-1, 5-ESS2-2, 5-ESS3-1, MS-LS2-1, MS-LS2-3, MS-LS2-4, MS-LS2-2, MS-LS2-5, MS-LS1-4, MS-ESS3-5, MS-ESS3-2, MS-ESS3-3, MS-ESS3-4, HS-LS2-6, HS-LS2-7, HS-LS2-8, HS-LS4-6, HS-LS4-3, HS-LS4-4, HS-LS4-5, HS-ESS3-1