We are GO! for Launch!
Help Us Reach the Stars – Final Push for Planetarium Enhancements!
The Emil Buehler Planetarium at Seminole State College is in the final stages of a fundraising campaign to upgrade our current Digistar 7 system to the state-of-the-art Digistar 2025. Digistar 2025 features incredible new features such as the most comprehesive database of the Milky Way galaxy, 3D maps of the entire surface of the Earth in incredible detail, while also offering 360 video capabilities to create virtual field trips across a wide range of disciplines—from astronomy and geology to history and biology. This upgrade also includes unlimited software updates for five years, ensuring that we stay at the forefront of immersive STEAM education and public outreach.
Thanks to generous support, we've already raised 95% of the funds needed—but we’re reaching out to our community to help us cross the finish line. Your contribution can make a real difference. Even a $5 donation will go a long way. The program with the most donations will have Addition Financial match.
Since we also like to give back to those who contribute, we would like to offer something to those who donate:
$20: You will recieve a free Rally and Raise t-shirt
$50: A Rally and Raise t-shirt and two free tickets to any planetarium show
$100: A Rally and Raise t-shirt and four free tickets to any planetarium show
$500: A Rally and Raise t-shirt and a pass for unlimited planetarium shows up to a year
$750: A Rally and Raise t-shirt and a fully private planetarium experience up to 6 guests
Join us in bringing the universe closer to Central Florida—your support will help inspire and educate thousands for years to come.
For more information on Digistar 2025, visit the link here.
Congratulations to Zachary Holder, this year’s Rally & Raise T-shirt design winner! All donors who give $20 or more will receive a Rally & Raise 2025 shirt! Everyone who participates in Rally & Raise will be entered to win amazing prizes!
Addition Financial Match: The fundraising page with the highest number of gifts by 11:59 p.m. on August 29, 2025 will receive an extra $1,000, and 3 runners up will each receive $500!
| Supporters | |||
| Name | Date | Amount | Comments |
| Albert Imbert | 09/02/2025 | $50.00 | T. Spence McColgan | 08/30/2025 | $20.00 | Keep up the good work Derek! | Diane Rambo | 08/29/2025 | $100.00 | Update the planetarium equipment now! | Sandy Hutchins | 08/29/2025 | $25.00 | Casey Barrick | 08/29/2025 | $20.00 | Catherine McGuire | 08/29/2025 | $25.00 | Laurent now has the best seat, watching all the amazing work you do!! | John Pinto | 08/29/2025 | $20.00 | Squeegee Beckenheim | 08/29/2025 | $25.00 | Rick Spechler | 08/29/2025 | $50.00 | Isabelle Chauffeton Saavedra | 08/27/2025 | $25.00 | An extra push for the win! | Anonymous Friend | 08/27/2025 | $10.00 | Robert Santillana | 08/25/2025 | $100.00 | For the Emil Buehler planetarium DigiStar upgrade | Saad Shaikh | 08/24/2025 | $10.00 | Larry Tanenbaum | 08/24/2025 | $25.00 | In honor of Derek Demeter’s hard work towards this project | Frank Fortenese | 08/24/2025 | $25.00 | For Digistar 2025. Thanks Derek for all your hard work to make The Planetarium and CFAS a great success. | Anonymous Friend | 08/24/2025 | $50.00 | Derek and staff make this place an outstanding place for education! | Anonymous Friend | 08/24/2025 | $50.00 | Elaine Fisher | 08/24/2025 | $5,000.00 | CALVIN BEARD | 08/24/2025 | $20.00 | Jay Kashuda | 08/24/2025 | $25.00 | “Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground”- Theodore Roosevelt | ANTHONY LEONG | 08/24/2025 | $20.00 | Rally Hard | Indiana Solo | 08/23/2025 | $20.00 | Keep rockin and flyin! | Hunting Rocks | 08/23/2025 | $5.00 | Reggie Pennington | 08/23/2025 | $50.00 | For future star talks! | Eric Hoin | 08/23/2025 | $100.00 | ♾️ and beyond!! | Lindsay Demeter | 08/23/2025 | $20.00 | James Ratliff | 08/23/2025 | $100.00 | Thank you Derek and Seminole State for an amazing planetarium and program. | Anonymous Friend | 08/23/2025 | $50.00 | Digistar 2025 | Lexie C Moss III | 08/23/2025 | $50.00 | Great Establishment! | Robert J. Wert | 08/23/2025 | $30.00 | Jalapeño fudge wrong season | Jane Dennan | 08/20/2025 | $50.00 | Anonymous Friend | 08/20/2025 | $250.00 | No need for any rewards; put it all toward the digistar! | Anonymous Friend | 08/19/2025 | $50.00 | Haihong Qiu | 08/19/2025 | $25.00 | Robert Scott | 08/19/2025 | $50.00 | Susan Jenik | 08/19/2025 | $25.00 | Nancy Ringier | 08/19/2025 | $25.00 | Keith Becher | 08/19/2025 | $25.00 | Love this place!! Thank you Derek and staff for all the wonderful work you do at the planetarium. | Rick Navarrete | 08/19/2025 | $30.00 | Jody Rogers | 08/19/2025 | $25.00 | Anonymous Friend | 08/18/2025 | $50.00 | Jocelyn Williamson | 08/18/2025 | $25.00 | Denice K Woody | 08/18/2025 | $25.00 |
| Total | $6,775.00 | ||