Family ASTRO News
Family ASTRO Training Workshops 2007
Hosted by the National Optical Astronomy Observatory
Project ASTRO became so popular with students that their families asked how they might enjoy similar activities. Family ASTRO meets that demand by offering to train “event leaders” to hold one to four thematic events. These thematic events take hands-on inquiry-based activities similar to those in Project ASTRO and move them to the extracurricular arena where parents and siblings can join the fun. Less formal than classroom instruction, these events focus on the moon, the planets, the night sky, and light in ways that get families together and thinking creatively while having a lot of fun. The typical event lasts about two hours. Each training workshop teaches event leaders how to conduct one of the four events mentioned above and lasts about five hours. During the workshop the activitiesare modeled and additional facets of hosting the event are addressed. Each event leader receives a leader kit containing all the basic materials necessary for organizing the event. Available for purchase are additional games that may be used in the events or given to families to take home.
Dates: September 28 Cosmic Decoders
October 5 Race to The Planets
October 12 Night Sky Adventure
October 19 Moon Mission
Place: National Optical Astronomy Observatory headquarters, 950 N. Cherry Avenue, Tucson
Time: 4:30 to 9:30 PM
Cost: $25.00 per workshop, including dinner
Applications to join the Family ASTRO program are available for teachers and for others.
The application deadline is 3 weeks before a training. Completed applications may be faxed to Robert Wilson at 520-318-8451 or mailed to him at 950 N. Cherry Ave., Tucson, AZ, 85719. For any further questions, feel free to contact Robert at rwilson@noao.edu or 520-318-8440.
