Scott Horstman
Vendor - Backyard Observatories
Reged: 03/11/04
Posts: 13088
Loc: Too Far North, USA
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Hi All! I just wanted to write up a little something about the great fun it was teaching Astronomy at our kids' school this past Wednesday.
My wife, Diane, and I were asked to give a presentation on Astronomy by our daughters' 3rd grade teacher to her class.
Of course we eagerly accepted and proceeded to loosely line out a program. We didn't want to try to structure it too much cause you never know what the adgenda of the KIDS might be! So I got to loading scopes in the van and Diane found some nice hand-outs to bring along.
We received a call from the school secretary just as we were leaving the house. She asked if it would be OK if another class were to attend. "The more the merrier" I told her. "We love sharing our passion for Astronomy". When we got to the school we found we had the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th grades! How AWESOME!
We started the program with the Solar System and moved out to nearby stars, DSOs in the Milky Way, the Local Group and out to the Virgo Cluster. We had many pix and charts. As well as, some nice scopes for the kids to see.
I was surprised at all the well informed questions the kids had:
What's a pulsar?
Why is a black hole a black hole?
How far are the furthest galaxies we know?
How did they find the new 10th planet?
Even questions about "the Moon hoax" Which I quickly ended any validity to!
These kids were good!
We then went out to do some Solar viewing through the PST. There were some decent proms that day and the kids were able to get their first look at the sun in Ha. There was a lot of oohing and ahhing and Diane and I were just happy as could be that we were able to share our insight and love of the hobby!
Thanks for looking,
Scott
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Scott
"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane."
Marcus Aurelius (AD 121-180)
www.backyardobservatories.com
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Scott Horstman
Vendor - Backyard Observatories
Reged: 03/11/04
Posts: 13088
Loc: Too Far North, USA
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#2
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Scott
"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane."
Marcus Aurelius (AD 121-180)
www.backyardobservatories.com
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Scott Horstman
Vendor - Backyard Observatories
Reged: 03/11/04
Posts: 13088
Loc: Too Far North, USA
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#3
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Scott
"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane."
Marcus Aurelius (AD 121-180)
www.backyardobservatories.com
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Scott Horstman
Vendor - Backyard Observatories
Reged: 03/11/04
Posts: 13088
Loc: Too Far North, USA
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#4
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Scott
"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane."
Marcus Aurelius (AD 121-180)
www.backyardobservatories.com
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 24022
Loc: Texas, USA
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That was great and sounded like sooo much fun!  Well done, you two!
And Diane, you're a much better woman than me wearing a skirt, dressy shoes and looking snazzy.  I'd look more like Scott..well without all the facial hair and all.  Oh, and all half the garden's dirt all down the front of me.
Crud. Nevermind, I don't hold a candle even to Scott.  The kids would think I'm their playmate and ask me to make mud pies after the talk.
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi. 
Zhumell 16", 10" LX200 Classic,Celestron 102 XLT, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm, AT6RC
PCW Memorial Observatory
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~Steph~
Texas Wildflower
Reged: 06/11/05
Posts: 26279
Loc: North Texas
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And you'd do it, Erika, and have a ton of fun doing so and the kids would love you for it! 
Scott and Diane, great job! Sounds like things went very well, and some great questions from the kids too.
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Steph
Taking it one day at a time...
I'm in the fight! - Support Liver Disease Awareness
10" RCX400 ~~ 4" TV102 ~~ WO ZS80FD ~~ PST
Serenity Observatory 
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Dob Frog
Ninjamphibian
Reged: 01/27/06
Posts: 8599
Loc: Ohio
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Thanks Erika! Believe me I wanted to be in my blue jeans, t-shirt, and tennies!
It was great fun! The kids were really good. Well, except for two 3rd grade boys in the front row that giggled when I said "naked" eye. It was impossible for me not to laugh! Try to get back on track with that!
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Diane
17.5" Dobsonian f/3.8 "Stella" The hunt is on!
Shine like the stars in heaven
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Scott Horstman
Vendor - Backyard Observatories
Reged: 03/11/04
Posts: 13088
Loc: Too Far North, USA
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Thanks Steph. It's impossible to pass up opportunities like this. I was really surprised how much the kids knew and had questions about.
If Erika was there I wouldn't have had to be so on my toes. What with mud pies and all! 
But I think Erika probably would have been sketching the view through the PST and REALLY wowed the kids!
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Scott
"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane."
Marcus Aurelius (AD 121-180)
www.backyardobservatories.com
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dgs©
Postmaster
Reged: 03/29/04
Posts: 15091
Loc: West Monroe, Louisiana
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School events are always fun, and you never know what to expect from the kids. 
I've never done one for more than 2 classes of the same grade though... four grades at once 
I missed this years 6th grade. I tried for the last couple of months to get set up for a Friday afternoon (I typically get off at 11:30am on Fridays) for a classroom talk and some Solar (white & Ha), followed by Saturday night on the playground. Wouldn't you know, clouds and rain every weekend, unless I was scheduled to be out of town for the weekend. 
One particular 6th grade girl, whose brother is in my 7th grader's class, has been wanting to get her chance for a long time. Since we missed out at school, I'm going to her house tonight and she'll get to see Saturn and Jupiter finally, plus a bonus... Europa & its shadow are due to make a transit across Jupiter's face tonight. 
The nights are great fun too, and parents are there as well. Most of the kids around the school knew me after that, I'd see kids around town and hear "Hey Mr. Showers" and similar from kids I barely recognized. Many will remember their night under the stars for a long time... hopefully long enough to be in a position to get themselves a scope and become astronomers themselves.
Diane, all dolled up in a skirt and heels, brings to mind an image of Scott droning on about optical principles while Diane gestures, Carol Marol style, at the scope.
BTW, doesn't Diane seem too pretty for the likes of Scott in the first place.
Keep at it Scott & Diane.
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- david
8"Ø Newtonian on SVP, Moonlite CR2, Telrad
PST Oberwerk Ultra 15x70 Orion Ultraview 10×50
Hand-me-down Sears Refractor (Discoverer) 60mm×900mm
"What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world, remains and is immortal." --Albert Pike
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oldsalt
Astro Philosopher
Reged: 02/12/05
Posts: 8806
Loc: Pa - between starparties
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Great job. Kids are a lot smarter then we give them credit for. Thats quite the line at the PST. Its always nice to be able to help out with a childs learning experience, and something we all should do more often.
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There are no winners in war, only bigger losers.
"Duty is the most sublime word in our language. Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more. You should never wish to do less.” Rober E Lee
"It is well that war is terrible-otherwise we would grow to fond of it" Robert E Lee 13Dec1862 Battle of Fredricksburg
Jim
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Dob Frog
Ninjamphibian
Reged: 01/27/06
Posts: 8599
Loc: Ohio
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Quote:
Wouldn't you know, clouds and rain every weekend, unless I was scheduled to be out of town for the weekend.
The nights are great fun too, and parents are there as well. Most of the kids around the school knew me after that, I'd see kids around town and hear "Hey Mr. Showers" and similar from kids I barely recognized.
I didn't know your name was Showers, I just thought you said that because it rained every time you showed up! Then I looked at your profile! 
Quote:
Diane, all dolled up in a skirt and heels, brings to mind an image of Scott droning on about optical principles while Diane gestures, Carol Marol style, at the scope.
BTW, doesn't Diane seem too pretty for the likes of Scott in the first place.
Keep at it Scott & Diane.
How'd you know I felt like Vanna and Carol? And thanks for the compliment, it made me blush 
Seriously, I wish you the best tonight! What a great guy to go over to her house to make sure she gets to do some viewing! 
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Diane
17.5" Dobsonian f/3.8 "Stella" The hunt is on!
Shine like the stars in heaven
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Richard B. Drumm
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/14/05
Posts: 1486
Loc: Albemarle Co. Virginia
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Great report guys! You've discovered the pleasures of EPO, Education & Public Outreach!
Kids are the best! And, thanks to Dave, I'm hip to tonight's Europa shadow pass! We're setting up for a viewing session tonight ourselves next to a house with little kids! Seeing them taking in Jupiter or Saturn for the first time is always an experience!
Rich
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AKA Richard Drumm The Astronomy Bum
Orion Atlas 10 (10" Newt on an equatorial mount)
Celestron 15x70 SkyMaster Binocs
Coronado Ha PST
President, Charlottesville Astronomical Society
IOTA member
38° 10' 57"N, 78° 23' 09"W
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dgs©
Postmaster
Reged: 03/29/04
Posts: 15091
Loc: West Monroe, Louisiana
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I got clouded out for tonight (again). 
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- david
8"Ø Newtonian on SVP, Moonlite CR2, Telrad
PST Oberwerk Ultra 15x70 Orion Ultraview 10×50
Hand-me-down Sears Refractor (Discoverer) 60mm×900mm
"What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world, remains and is immortal." --Albert Pike
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 24022
Loc: Texas, USA
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That's too bad, David. Thanks for letting me know about it though. I was able to get out for a good session with Jupiter and got to see the final 20 minutes of the transit of Europa itself (barely detectable until it reached the limb) and the shadaw stuck out like a sore thumb. Then I got to watch Europa slowly look like it was moving away from Jupiter to the west.
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
Zhumell 16", 10" LX200 Classic,Celestron 102 XLT, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm, AT6RC
PCW Memorial Observatory
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Scott Horstman
Vendor - Backyard Observatories
Reged: 03/11/04
Posts: 13088
Loc: Too Far North, USA
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Quote:
Great report guys! You've discovered the pleasures of EPO, Education & Public Outreach!
Kids are the best! And, thanks to Dave, I'm hip to tonight's Europa shadow pass! We're setting up for a viewing session tonight ourselves next to a house with little kids! Seeing them taking in Jupiter or Saturn for the first time is always an experience!
Rich
Thanks Rich. It wasn't our first rodeo but it was the biggest crowd to date. It's a great feeling to have the kids so interested and involved. You always hope that you spark a fire and inspire a new Astronomer.
How'd the viewing go with the kids last night?
Best,
Scott
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Scott
"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane."
Marcus Aurelius (AD 121-180)
www.backyardobservatories.com
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Dob Frog
Ninjamphibian
Reged: 01/27/06
Posts: 8599
Loc: Ohio
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David, That's a bummer! I hope it works out soon. Was she real disappointed?
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Diane
17.5" Dobsonian f/3.8 "Stella" The hunt is on!
Shine like the stars in heaven
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Scott Horstman
Vendor - Backyard Observatories
Reged: 03/11/04
Posts: 13088
Loc: Too Far North, USA
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Quote:
That's too bad, David. Thanks for letting me know about it though. I was able to get out for a good session with Jupiter and got to see the final 20 minutes of the transit of Europa itself (barely detectable until it reached the limb) and the shadaw stuck out like a sore thumb. Then I got to watch Europa slowly look like it was moving away from Jupiter to the west.
Hi David. Sorry to hear about the *Word deleted by the CN gnaughties gnomes* skies.
Hi Erika. I took some film shots at 10 minute intervals from 10 til 11 o'clock. I was getting some really clear moments here and there. Hope they turn out.
Scott
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Scott
"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane."
Marcus Aurelius (AD 121-180)
www.backyardobservatories.com
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Richard B. Drumm
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/14/05
Posts: 1486
Loc: Albemarle Co. Virginia
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Scott:
Unfortunately the kids got home somewhat late and the mom & dad enforced bath night and off they went. The little boy was about 3 and was rather disappointed at leaving the scopes and not looking at anything (it was still light out) but the dad said "bath time" and that was that. I chimed in with something like "You can do the bath and be back in time to see Jupiter!" but they aparently were put to bed. Then the parents must have gone to bed as well because they didn't even come down themselves! Go figure! I thought that the dad would come back down for a look, but nope...
We had a good time watching the Europa shadow pass and testing out some new Lumicon filters. 2 12" dobs, my 10" newt, an 8" newt and an ETX125 Mak. Surrounded by water on 3 sides with good sky views and a bit of dew. I have a dew shield on the Telrad and 2 washcloths for "dew rags" to keep the optical finder & eyepiece clear, so I had no problem, but one of the 12" dobs got knocked out of the game by 11PM.
Rich
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AKA Richard Drumm The Astronomy Bum
Orion Atlas 10 (10" Newt on an equatorial mount)
Celestron 15x70 SkyMaster Binocs
Coronado Ha PST
President, Charlottesville Astronomical Society
IOTA member
38° 10' 57"N, 78° 23' 09"W
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Scott Horstman
Vendor - Backyard Observatories
Reged: 03/11/04
Posts: 13088
Loc: Too Far North, USA
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Geeze Richard, I don't get it. It's a weekend first off and you guys had all those great scopes set up! I just don't understand the lack of interest sometimes from regular civilians. I always chalk it up to "oh well, their loss" and keep on scoping. I really feel a little sorry for the folks who are oblivious to the wonders of this great hobby. You can lead a horse to water.
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Scott
"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane."
Marcus Aurelius (AD 121-180)
www.backyardobservatories.com
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Awesomelenny
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/02/04
Posts: 3787
Loc: Long: 81.42 W Lat: 41.21 N
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Yeah, I don't get it either...take my family, they could care less too.  It's kinda too bad since I got all this great equipment to share too!
You and Diane did a fantastic job with those kids at school!
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Len
WO Zenithstar 66
Takahashi FSQ 106N
A. Jaegers 6" f/5 RFT
A. Jaegers 6" f/10 refractor
Meade 8" f/10 LX200 SCT OTA
Atlas EQ-G Equatorial Mount
AP1200 GTO-CP3
A "Backyard Observatory"
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