(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
KENOSHA, Wis. — The Kenosha Unified School District will honor the life and legacy of a beloved science educator next week by dedicating the Bradford High School planetarium in the name of Mildred “Millie” Carlson, the district’s first planetarium director.
The dedication ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, May 21, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Bradford High School, 3700 Washington Road. The event is open to the public and will include a musical performance, an astronomy presentation, and refreshments.
Carlson, who moved to Kenosha in 1968 to teach science at Washington Junior High School, went on to shape the district’s astronomy curriculum and outreach programming for decades. After retiring from the classroom, she continued her career as Bradford’s planetarium director, hosting more than 100 star shows and science programs each year for students and the community.
She passed away in 2021, but her influence endures. For many Kenosha students, a visit to the planetarium was their first glimpse into the wonders of the universe—an experience that often sparked lifelong curiosity.
“Millie Carlson was more than an educator. She was a pioneer and an inspiration,” Kenosha Unified officials said in a statement announcing the dedication. “This tribute reflects the indelible mark she left on science education in our schools.”
The program will open with a musical performance by Bradford High School students at 3 p.m. At 4 p.m., current planetarium director Jason Standish will lead an immersive cosmic journey in Carlson’s honor. Light refreshments will be available throughout the event.
Kenosha Unified is encouraging former students, colleagues, and community members to attend and help celebrate a woman who helped generations of Kenosha youth reach for the stars.
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One Response
I thought a while back they were discussing closing