Family ASTRO
Questions?
Contact the staff of Family ASTRO:
Connie Walker, Tucson Site Director
520-318-8535, cwalker@noao.edu
Robert Wilson, Family ASTRO Site Coordinator
520-318-8440, rwilson@noao.edu
Kathie Coil, Public Affairs Program Coordinator
520-318-8230, kcoil@noao.edu
FAX: 520-318-8451
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.
Family ASTRO News
Family ASTRO Training Workshops 2006
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: October 5 Cosmic Decoders
October 12 Race to The Planets
October 19 Night Sky Adventure
October 26 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.
Family ASTRO News
Spring ‘06 Follow-up Workshop
February 4, 2006
3pm - 9:30pm
Explore The Night Sky With Internationally-Known Comet Hunter David Levy At His Home-based Observatory In Vail
Registration Deadline is January 20, 2006… (space is limited to
30 Family or Project ASTRO Partners)
Download the flyer for more information and to register!
Family ASTRO News
Mt. Graham Astronomy Day 2005
Submitted by Project and Family ASTRO partners—Paul and Cathy Anderson
Mt. Graham Astronomy Day 2005 was a huge success with about 250 in attendance. The Desert Skygazers Astronomy Club hosted the event at Discovery Park in Safford, Arizona. We had many from the community helping out to make this a success. The Boy Scouts were parking cars, Eastern Arizona College students were helping out with the Solar Viewing and Rocket launching, and teachers from Discovery Plus Academy and the Discovery Astros Junior Club were assisting in the Game Building. The Lions Club kept us well nourished. We can not forget the local police department that guarded the Moon Rocks for us while they were here.
more...
Family ASTRO News
About Family ASTRO
With support from the NSF, the Astronomical Society of the Pacific has created a new twist on the ASTRO concept designed to bring hands-on astronomy activities and astronomy events to families of all backgrounds. Seven “Family ASTRO” sites have started nationally within the last two years, with NOAO Tucson being the newest addition. The heart of this project is a series of new astronomy kits designed to be both educational and fun for children ages 8 and up (and for the adults who work and play with them).
more...
Family ASTRO News
Update for Family ASTRO
On January 22, Tucson staff held a Family ASTRO event leader training workshop as the last in a cadre of four thematic workshops for the 2003-2004 academic year. Event leaders from the Sahuaro Girl Scouts as well as teachers from the local school districts participated in being trained on the newest Astronomical Society of the Pacifi c Family ASTRO kit called Cosmic Decoder. The Cosmic Decoder kit provides a fun way for families to learn about light, color and filters as well as how to send messages to and receive messages from space aliens.
