Hi all, I'm not sure what's going on here. Mike has tried to post the following to the list twice but for some reason the list keeps rejecting his post saying it violated some list rule. So I'm trying to post it for him to see if it gets through. patrick

From: Wilson Family <astro_outwest@yahoo.com> Date: 30 April 2008 14:37:05 MDT To: Utah astronomy blog <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Subject: Re: [Utah Astronomy] other astronomy activities Reply-To: astro_outwest@yahoo.com

I totally agree. For the past two years I've been doing PowerPoint presentations at various junior high and high schools here in the Salt Lake Valley. It is rewarding when the kids start asking questions either during or after the presentations. I was told by one teacher that even her autistic child (who usually talks to the caged rodents in his science class) was unusually more attentive.

--- On Tue, 4/29/08, Patrick Wiggins <paw@wirelessbeehive.com> wrote: From: Patrick Wiggins <paw@wirelessbeehive.com> Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] other astronomy activities To: "Utah Astronomy" <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Date: Tuesday, April 29, 2008, 7:01 PM

On 29 Apr 2008, at 15:53, daniel turner wrote:

...

The world of astronomy is much bigger than picture taking and data gathering. I would like to suggest a number of other activities.

The first is public outreach.

Daniel is spot on.

Many may not know that SLAS does far more evening outreach that most clubs but for those with a bit of spare time during the day, outreach in the public schools can be very rewarding, especially this time of year.

I say "this time of year" because Utah schools are currently doing core curriculum testing which, for 6th grade, includes testing on Earth's seasons, phases of the Moon and eclipses.

Last week I did the Grantsville Elementary, so far this week both elementary schools here in Stansbury and Thursday one in Tooele. And more to come.

The subject matter isn't all that difficult to teach and the kids really eat it up. In fact, at the school I was at today the bell rang signaling the end of the school day yet several kids (curiously all girls) stayed behind to ask questions.

How to get started? Just call the local elementary school and ask to speak with the 6th grade science coordinator or the principal.

patrick