The night sky can really put on a show, and so can astronomy student Kaelee Parker. She takes planetarium audiences to distant galaxies, points out constellations and shows off how stars and planets move in the sky.
Parker has been volunteering for about two years at the Cleveland Natural History Museum, sharing her passion for astronomy that started when she was young.
"Growing up I had this very small plastic telescope that kind of worked," she says. "You could see the moon through it, and that was enough to be interested in it. But I didn't realize that it was something that someone could actually have a career in, so when I final had that discovery I jumped all in."
Jump all in she did, studying at Case Western Reserve University, completing an internship at the museum, and next up, pursuing a PhD so she can teach people about the universe.
"I love interacting with people in general about astronomy because everyone has such great questions," she explains. "Sometimes it makes me think about, like, 'I don't know, I never thought of that question before, that is a really cool idea.'"
Parker hopes her planetarium shows spark a love of science and wonder, especially in young girls, and once that spark is lit, find support to turn their dreams into reality.
"Whether it is a friend who also likes science or it's your family or there are a lot of programs," she said. "At my school we have a woman in astronomy club were we can all meet up and sure every one fells comfortable and everything."