As the University of Arkansas at Little Rock prepares to reopen its newly renovated planetarium in fall 2026, excitement is building across campus for the return of a beloved landmark and the possibilities it represents for the future of science and community connection.
Thanks to a $1.2 million gift from Leslye Shellam honoring her late father, Arkansas business leader L. Dickson Flake, the Shellam Flake Planetarium will soon reopen after nearly two decades. But for faculty and students, the reopening is about far more than renovation and technology upgrades. It signals a new era of immersive, interdisciplinary learning.
For Dr. Gregory Guisbiers, associate professor of physics and astronomy, the planetarium represents a fundamental shift in how students experience complex scientific ideas.
“What excites me most is the opportunity to transform how students experience physics,” Guisbiers said. “The planetarium allows abstract ideas — whether dynamical systems in classical mechanics or quantum state evolution in quantum computing — to become immersive and intuitive.”
In fields such as quantum computing, many ideas are highly abstract. Guisbiers envisions the planetarium as a way to transform his teaching by making difficult core concepts and invisible phenomena more accessible. The dome’s immersive capabilities allow students to visualize challenging processes such as wavefunctions, carrier dynamics, and structure-property relationships.
“I would also integrate research data into the learning experience, allowing students to explore simulations and experimental results interactively,” Guisbiers said. “This connects coursework with research, strengthens undergraduate research opportunities, and helps students develop both scientific intuition and communication skills.”
The planetarium will also elevate UA Little Rock’s role as a public-facing science institution. Rather than science existing primarily in classrooms and labs, the dome creates a shared space for research visualization, interdisciplinary programming, and community engagement.
Guisbiers notes that the planetarium is not just a site of education but a hub for the community.
“The UA Little Rock planetarium can become a bridge between the university and the broader Little Rock community by serving as a hub for STEM education, public science literacy, and interdisciplinary engagement,” he said. “Beyond astronomy, it can function as a cultural and creative space where science, art, and storytelling intersect, strengthening the university’s role as a regional center for education and community connection.”
Guisbiers sees the planetarium reopening as representative of UA Little Rock’s broader investment in science infrastructure and education. Alongside the observatory reopening in March 2025, the planetarium showcases the university’s commitment to hands-on learning and expanding access to STEM education.
Dr. Michael DeAngelis, associate professor of geology, sees equally transformative potential in the planetarium’s reopening.
Currently, the geology department offers field experiences to locations such as the Bahamas for the Geology and Ecology of the Bahamas course, excursions to Colorado and New Mexico for Field Geology II, and local trips across Arkansas to the Ouachita and Ozark Mountains. The planetarium’s immersive capabilities unlock new opportunities for students to explore different regions of the world.
“As a geology professor, I consistently seek opportunities to expose our students to diverse global environments,” DeAngelis said. “With the planetarium’s digital projection system, I can now envision taking our students on virtual expeditions: to the peaks of the Himalayas, the frozen depths of Antarctica, inside the giant crystal caves of Mexico, or even to never-before-visited locations like the Moon or Mars to explore their geology.”
The planetarium’s versatility creates an interdisciplinary space for learning that extends beyond the sciences. DeAngelis sees potential for immersive experiences such as virtual art shows for art and design students, concert performances for music students, and visualized global supply chains for economics students.
For DeAngelis, the reopening is especially significant for UA Little Rock’s science programs.
“For science programs, the planetarium will allow for the visualization of phenomena at scales beyond human perception,” he said. “This includes viewing microscopic interactions, such as microbial life, mineral structures, and simulated chemical reactions. It also encompasses the immense, like solar system formation, supernovae, and the expansion of the universe.”
Concepts that once existed only in textbooks or on flat screens can now unfold across the dome in full scale, placing students inside the systems they study.
When asked what he hopes visitors will take away from their experience, DeAngelis answered with a single word:
“Awe,” he said. “And all of its synonyms — wonder, astonishment, reverence, and amazement.”
As the university approaches its centennial, the reopening of the Shellam Flake Planetarium signals forward momentum in science education and interdisciplinary collaboration.
In reopening the planetarium, UA Little Rock is not just restoring a beloved space — it is strengthening its role as a regional hub for education, innovation, and opportunity.
Written by Molly Coleman | February 24, 2026
Thanks for Reading!
In a time when critical voices are increasingly silenced, the Arkansas Times stands as a beacon of truth, tirelessly defending the fundamental rights and freedoms within our community. With Arkansas at the epicenter of a sweeping culture war affecting our libraries, schools, and public discourse, our mission to deliver unflinching journalism has never been more vital. We’re here to hold power accountable, but we can’t do it alone. By contributing today, you ensure that independent journalism not only survives but thrives in Arkansas. Together, we can make a difference — join the fight.
