Our
Program:
The
UCI Observatory announces a new expanded Astronomy Outreach Program
featuring tours of the UCI Observatory or visits to local school by
an Astronomy Outreach team combined with grade-appropriate activities
for the teachers to do with their students that focus on teaching
California Science Standards. We are part of a research study
designed to determine what types of science outreach programs are
most effective, thus we can offer these activities free of charge to
schools in the Santa Ana, Newport/Mesa and Compton School Districts.
Schools in other districts can participate, but them must pay a
reasonable fee. Also, schools that wish to bring their students for a
tour of the Observatory must fund their own transportation costs.
Outreach
Tours/Classroom Visits:
Students
will see an astronomy slide show designed to fit the California
Science Standards for their designated grades (Grade 3: Earth, Moon,
Sun, Grade 5: Solar System, Grade 9-12: Stars or Galaxies). During
the tours or school visits, students use telescopes equipped with
solar filters that allow them to observe the Sun and view sunspots
and solar prominences and another hands-on activities that are
content specific.
Eligibility:
Because
these visits are funded as part of a research study and the NSF FOCUS
program, only 3rd grade, 5th grade, and high school classes from
schools in the Santa Ana, Newport/Mesa, and Compton school districts
are eligible for this program. We can make visits to classes in
other grades and districts, but these visits have to be paid for by
the schools. Participating teachers must agree to do designated
pre- and post-visit activities (documentation and equipment supplied
by us) with their students and give the students short surveys before
starting and after completing the program.
Contacts:
If
you are interested in this program, please contact Mike Hood, the
Astronomy Outreach Coordinator, at outreach@sculptor.ps.uci.edu
or (949) 824-1661 immediately. Tours/visits will be scheduled on a
first-come first-served basis and they will be in high demand. For
more information about the UCI Observatory and our other programs,
see our website at http://www.physics.uci.edu/~observat.