Help Rebuild Lauren's Portable Planetarium

Dear Friends, Family, and Community Members,

We come to you today to support a remarkable woman and educator who has been serving our community for years. Lauren Layton Ard, a dedicated teacher, and a foster-adoptive mother, has touched countless lives in Tucson with her unique and creative approach to teaching astronomy.

Lauren's passion for education, astronomy, and popular culture combined to birth an incredible project - a portable planetarium. Crafted by her own hands, this inflatable dome has been used to showcase the beauty of the cosmos to children in a fun and engaging way, often incorporating themes from popular media like Harry Potter, Pokemon, Star Wars, and Star Trek.

Unfortunately, over the weekend, this cherished tool of community education was stolen from her home near Eastland and Country Club. The theft of this resource has not only brought personal loss and sorrow to Lauren but also threatens to impact upcoming educational presentations planned for libraries, summer camps, and the Reid Park Zoo.

But we believe in the power of our community, and we know that together we can turn this setback into a stepping stone. Today, we are launching a GoFundMe to help Lauren rebuild her portable planetarium, allowing her to continue spreading the joy and wonder of astronomy to children across Tucson.

Your donation will go directly towards materials needed to recreate the planetarium, purchase a new projector, and secure a safe storage solution to prevent future theft. Any contribution, no matter how small, will make a difference. Beyond providing monetary support, sharing this campaign within your network would also be greatly appreciated.

Lauren has given so much to our community, especially to our children. Her lessons instill a sense of curiosity and inspire the next generation of scientists, astronomers, and dreamers. In her challenging times, it is our turn to give back and support her.

Let's bring the stars back to Tucson's kids. Together, we can help Lauren rebuild her portable planetarium and continue her mission to make learning a truly out-of-this-world experience for our children.

Thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity.