Building and Using a Galilean Telescope
Workshop for Educators - November 6-7, 2009 Presented by the Rainwater Observatory and Planetarium and the Mississippi NASA Space Grant ConsortiumJohn McFarland, aka Johannes Kepler, will be the clinician for a workshop Friday and Saturday, November 6-7, 2009 at the Rainwater Observatory and Planetarium near French Camp, Mississippi.
This two-day educator workshop will focus on building and using a telescope like Galileo used to revolutionize our view of the cosmos. Participants can receive 1 CEU toward teacher recertification. (CEU credit costs $20.00)2009 has been designated the International Year of Astronomy in honor of the first astronomical observations by Galileo 400 years ago. Rainwater Observatory obtained a grant for 100 Galilean telescope kits from the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. Teachers will build and keep their own telescope and learn activities in optics to use in their lessons. Plan to bring a camera tripod with a standard 1/4x20 screw to mount the scope.
In addition to building the telescopes participants will also learn enough about the night sky to find planets and star clusters and nebulae. The story of how the telescope has developed over the past 400 years and changed our view of the cosmos as technology has progressed will also be a part of the workshop.
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 use the Planetarium’s Spitz A-2 Planetarium. You will have the opportunity to observe with a research-grade telescopes and related equipment including the largest telescope in Mississippi and the .65m Sangre telescope facility.
Also available to teachers is Rainwater’s 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.
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 supper will be provided.
Check-in will begin at the Observatory at 4:00 PM, Friday, November 6. 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 call (662) 547-6377.