CLEVELAND, Miss. – Delta State University’s Roy L. and Clara Belle Wiley Planetarium has been awarded a $500,000 U.S. Congressional earmark to fund significant technological upgrades, the university announced. The funding, secured with the support of Mississippi Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith and Roger Wicker, will allow the planetarium to enhance its role as a key STEM resource in the Mississippi Delta region.
The grant, which takes effect on September 1, will be used to install a state-of-the-art 3D laser projector system, replacing the planetarium’s outdated equipment. The current projectors are nearing the end of their operational life and have become technologically obsolete. Along with the new projectors, upgraded computing systems will enable the planetarium to produce in-house content, providing an immersive educational experience on par with leading museums and universities nationwide.
The Wiley Planetarium, established in 1976, serves both Delta State students and the surrounding rural community. As Mississippi’s only university-based planetarium and one of just three public planetariums in the state, it has faced operational challenges in recent years due to aging technology. The new grant, provided by the U.S. Department of Education, will cover 100% of the upgrade costs, ensuring the planetarium remains a critical resource for both post-secondary and K-12 students.
“We are so thankful to Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith and Roger Wicker for supporting our efforts to ensure the Wiley Planetarium’s longevity and extend its educational mission for Delta students and communities,” said Dr. Maria Weber, Assistant Professor of Physics and Director of the Wiley Planetarium.
These upgrades will secure the future of the Wiley Planetarium, allowing it to continue serving as a vital STEM learning tool for the Mississippi Delta region.
