Our Sky Trekker program continued to grow this year and was very well received.
This year we had our orientation class at the Galileo Gallery...
Our budding astronomers paid attention in class...
They put together and decorated an ornament.
The evening program is geared around two levels: beginner and advanced. Both programs start with an introduction to the night sky. Beginner level requires that the kids identify three bright stars and six constellations or asterisms. This gave the kids a simple introduction to back-yard astronomy that was easy for elementary school kids to understand and achieve.
The advanced program required that the student complete the beginner level and then be able to find three of five types of deep sky objects: Nebulas, Globular clusters, open clusters, double stars or galaxies. Additionally, they had to sketch a solar system object. Students who participated took home their study guide and a planisphere.
Those who completed the course got a certificate, a pin and a Dilly Bar ice cream bar!
Celestron donated a FirstScope to support this program and the star party bought a second one. Everyone who completed the course was entered to win a FirstScope. One scope was awarded Friday night and the other scope on Saturday night. A great start for a future astronomer.
The Sky Trekker program was featured in the March 2009 issue of the Astronomical League's "Reflector" magazine. The article is here.
