ASTRO-Tucson Teacher's Corner
Larry Behers—Astronomer Partner Extraordinaire
As I get to know the partners involved in Project ASTRO-Tucson, I realize what extraordinary people who have graced our program. Every once in awhile, one member shines with such distinctive brightness that gives cause for recognition. I would like to take a moment to recognize the many accomplishments of Larry Behers.
Larry has been involved with Project ASTRO since the Fall of 1999. In the last year alone, he has made 50 visits to 10 classrooms. That is in addition to the half a dozen star parties he has done this year …ok, I will let you catch your breath… Larry spends most of his visits to grades 1-3 on behalf of Project ASTRO talking about the phases of the Moon, the reasons for seasons, the scale of the solar system, constellations, comets, and the Sun, stars and star legends. He also has some excellent 3-D images of the Universe, which adds that extra dimension of excitement and reality for children.
Besides taking so much time out from his job as President of both Nova West Communications and Nova West International Marketing to visit schools on behalf of Project ASTRO, he is an assistant scout master for Boy Scout troop #294. Larry is also a trustee for the corporation of Rainbow Girls in Tucson, which is an organization that does fundraising and charity work.
What is really striking to me is that in conjunction with his Project ASTRO visits, Larry also takes the time to answer a multitude of kids’ questions on astronomy with full-blown, colored handouts individually tailored to each child. His actions reinforce their curiosity, confidence and motivation, which is exemplified by the ending to his letters to the children, “keep asking intelligent questions and always reach for the stars.”
Two of the many questions he has shown me are among his favorites and his answers give more insight into the heart and soul of Larry and his love for astronomy and kids than anything else. The first question asked, “When you were a little kid, what was your favorite planet?” His answer started out “When I was in the third grade, my Dad bought me a telescope; it was my own little window to the Universe and I imagined that the planets were beautiful jewels that I could hold in my hands. This first thing I ever saw through a telescope was the planet Saturn. I never imagined it could be as beautiful as it was … ” The second question asked, “Do you have a buddy?” He answered, “My buddy is my best friend and business partner. We have been best buddies since we were eight years old. As children we used to lay under the beautiful summer star-filled sky in our backyard and talk about our dreams and plans for the future. We knew even then as children that someday we would be partners in business. Best friends can help you reach for the stars.”
Larry gives full dimension to the meaning of philanthropist. Thank you, Larry, for all of your time and effort in Project ASTRO. We are all the better for it. As one of your own students wrote you, “Good friends are like stars. You don’t always see them, but you know they are always there…”
There are many other Project ASTRO-Tucson astronomers and teachers who deserve special recognition—who would you like to see profiled next time? Contact Connie Walker at 520 318-8535 or e-mail at cwalker@noao.edu.
