STEM Night at the Local Elementary School

[Unitron48]

Our local astronomy club was invited to participate in a STEM event at one of the local elementary schools. For those unfamiliar with STEM, it is a common abbreviation for four closely connected areas of study: science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The fields are often associated due to the similarities that they share both in theory and practice. Over the past years, there has been added emphasis placed on this area of education.

The event was scheduled for 5 to 6:30 pm. A little early for any serious observing, but we planned to at least check out Jupiter. We also set up a rolling presentation on the different objects that we observe with our telescopes, and displayed lots of astronomical reading material as well as a couple tabletop telescopes.

For observing we set up my Brandon 94 on a Stellarvue M2CW alt-az mount, set low for the younger observers. As luck would have it, we had 100% cloud coverage for most of the event!

We did take advantage of a Red Carpet Hotel sign in the distance to give the visitors a view through the telescope at 29x. In all we provided viewing opportunities for about 100 children and adults. In the very last 15 minutes of the event the clouds parted sufficient to provide some viewing of Jupiter, but "too little, too late".

Overall, it was a successful night. At best we may have encouraged several to join our local group and participate in our observing sessions, or at least get out under the night sky and take some time to look up!

Dave

[Juno16]

Sounds like a bunch of fun Dave!

Just like them darn clouds!

Sounds like you touched on lots of curious people and was a big success!

[Makuser]

Hi Dave. This was a nice STEM outreach activity. Starting with a nice presentation of objects that your club members observe with their telescopes, to tables of reading materials and portable telescopes. And I am sure the view of the Red Hotel sign was exceeded with finally a view of Jupiter, even with the cloudy sky conditions. Thanks for sharing this nice report with photos with us Dave. I am sure that it was fun time for the kids and we all know that the sky conditions are always the weakest link in our observing equipment and plans.

[Gordon]

I've done a few of those for the childrens museum in Temecula, Ca. Even had one rained out. Overall they are well worth the effort.

[Unitron48]

Thanks, Jim, Marshall, Gordon!

These events are great opportunities to encourage interest in our hobby.

Dave

[Bigzmey]

Bummer about clouds, otherwise sounds like a successful event. Great age to get kids involved.

[Lady Fraktor]

Very nice Dave!
Encouraging the children to get interested in these subjects is a good cause.
A bit unfortunate the skies did not cooperate but magnifying distant objects can create a interest in the theories involved.

[Unitron48]

As a follow-up, we had five folks (three adults and two kids) from the STEM night attend our astronomy meeting last evening. All were very enthusiastic participants. I'm encouraged!!

Dave