Hands-On Astronomy:
Teaching Astronomy Using Constellations
Workshop for Educators - November 5-6, 2010 Underwritten by the Rainwater Observatory and the Miss. NASA Space Grant ConsortiumDr. Chris Sirola of the University of Southern Mississippi will be the clinician for a two day weekend workshop for educators
November 5-6, 2010 at the Rainwater Observatory and Planetarium in French Camp, Mississippi. This two-day educator workshop will focus on learning about the constellations and using them to teach astronomical concepts.. Teachers will receive materials that can be used immediately in the classroom and can receive 1 CEU toward teacher recertification. (CEU credit costs $20.00)·Planetary Exploration Update — James Hill, the NASA/JPL Solar System Educator Fellow for Mississippi will share with us the latest on JPL’s many current and upcoming missions to Mars, comets, Saturn, Mercury, and more.
In addition to classroom activities, there will also be opportunities for participants to observe the Sun through the Observatory's telescopes, and to become acquainted with the evening sky . Teachers can learn how to use the Planetarium’s Spitz A-2 Planetarium. You will have the opportunity to use research-grade telescopes and related equipment including the largest telescope in Mississippi and the .65m Sangre telescope facility.
Also available to teachers is the Astronomy Education Resource Center, with its collection of classroom activities, books, videos, slides, posters, and models, that may be checked out and used in their classrooms.
Food, lodging, and the workshop will be provided at no charge to the participants who pre-register. A $50 refundable deposit is required which will be refunded to participants and those who cancel in writing at least 3 weeks before the workshop. This workshop is funded by the Mississippi NASA Space Grant Consortium
Lodging: Participants who wish to stay overnight will be housed in the lakeside
Lodge or Guest House for Friday night in French
Camp. (Housing is available for up to 30 participants.)
Meals: Friday supper and Saturday breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Registration will begin at the Observatory at 4:00 PM, Friday, November 5. Supper will be at 5:00 PM. The workshop for CEU credit will begin 6:00 PM Friday and continue 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM on Saturday. Saturday supper and observing will be optional. If you would like to participate but can’t be here for the full time, you are still welcome to participate. Each of the workshop topics will be independent. There is no charge for the workshop, lodging, or meals which are being funded by a grant from the Mississippi NASA Space Grant Consortium. CEU credit is $20.00.
For more information and online registration, go to www.rainwaterobservatory.org
or call (662) 547-6377. Join us for an enlightening weekend.