Presentation Information
[PD2-01]The Dome as a Portal: Designing Planetarium Experiences for Awe, Wellness, and Human Flourishing
*Laura Inserra1, Ian Downie1, John Keller2, Cherilynn Morrow3 (1. Chambers of Awe (USA), 2. Fiske Planetarium, Boulder (USA), 3. ArtSciencEducation™ )
Keywords:
Planetarium Wellness Programming,Immersive Sound Design,Transformative Storytelling,Psychoacoustics,Science,Wellbeing
Aim/Objectives:
Planetariums worldwide are redefining their purpose as spaces that not only inspire curiosity about the universe, but also foster awe, wellbeing, and expanded states of human experience.
This panel brings together practitioners from science, immersive technology, and contemplative arts to explore the growing movement toward wellness-driven dome programming. The discussion examines how fulldome environments — with their enveloping sound fields, large-scale visual immersion, and communal setting — can uniquely support emotional regulation, nervous-system coherence, and experiences of wonder.
Panelists will share research insights, technological innovations, and creative methodologies from their respective fields.
Topics include:
The neuroscience of awe and its implications for fulldome design
Audio/visual technologies enabling deeper immersion and emotional resonance
A case study: QUALIA, a wellness-oriented fulldome journey through the Five Elements
Opportunities for audience diversification, community impact, and research partnerships
The panel invites the global IPS community to envision planetariums as portals for human potential, where art, science, technology, and wellbeing converge into a new generation of transformative experiences.]
Panelists
Laura Inserra — Sound Alchemist & Creator of QUALIA
Expertise: spatial audio, healing modalities, transformative storytelling, and immersive sound experiences.
Ian Downie — Immersive A/V Technology Specialist
Expertise: dome acoustics, fulldome projection systems, and next-generation experiential design tools.
Dr. Cherilynn Morrow — Solar Astrophysicist, NASA PUNCH Outreach Director & Founder of ArtSciencEducation™
Expertise: science communication, heliophysics outreach, arts-integrated STEM education, cross-cultural public engagement, and accessibility.
Moderator
Dr. John Keller — Director, Fiske Planetarium, University of Colorado Boulder
Expertise: community engagement, education, and programming innovation for human flourishing.
Planetariums worldwide are redefining their purpose as spaces that not only inspire curiosity about the universe, but also foster awe, wellbeing, and expanded states of human experience.
This panel brings together practitioners from science, immersive technology, and contemplative arts to explore the growing movement toward wellness-driven dome programming. The discussion examines how fulldome environments — with their enveloping sound fields, large-scale visual immersion, and communal setting — can uniquely support emotional regulation, nervous-system coherence, and experiences of wonder.
Panelists will share research insights, technological innovations, and creative methodologies from their respective fields.
Topics include:
The neuroscience of awe and its implications for fulldome design
Audio/visual technologies enabling deeper immersion and emotional resonance
A case study: QUALIA, a wellness-oriented fulldome journey through the Five Elements
Opportunities for audience diversification, community impact, and research partnerships
The panel invites the global IPS community to envision planetariums as portals for human potential, where art, science, technology, and wellbeing converge into a new generation of transformative experiences.]
Panelists
Laura Inserra — Sound Alchemist & Creator of QUALIA
Expertise: spatial audio, healing modalities, transformative storytelling, and immersive sound experiences.
Ian Downie — Immersive A/V Technology Specialist
Expertise: dome acoustics, fulldome projection systems, and next-generation experiential design tools.
Dr. Cherilynn Morrow — Solar Astrophysicist, NASA PUNCH Outreach Director & Founder of ArtSciencEducation™
Expertise: science communication, heliophysics outreach, arts-integrated STEM education, cross-cultural public engagement, and accessibility.
Moderator
Dr. John Keller — Director, Fiske Planetarium, University of Colorado Boulder
Expertise: community engagement, education, and programming innovation for human flourishing.