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Happening
at the Crossroads
September 14,
2009
by Coggin
Heeringa
Family Astronomy Weekend Upcoming at Door County’s Crossroads Learning Center, Sept 19 – 20
“Welcome
to the Universe” is the theme for the Family Astronomy Weekend 2009 at
Crossroads at Big Creek. On September 19 and 20, the Door Peninsula
Astronomical Society and Friends of Crossroads will sponsor an array of
family activities designed to introduce learners of all ages to the
wonders of astronomy.
Two
feature family programs will highlight the festivities. On Saturday
afternoon at 2:00, “Wisconsin Starwatch” will be presented in the
Collins Learning Center. On Sunday, at 4:15 will be a rocket launch
followed at 4:30 by “Space is Cool,” a demonstration program
about the frigid reaches of outer space.
Who
better to kick off the weekend than the man called “America’s Master
Stargazing Instructor,” Mike Lynch. A radio personality and
meteorologist from the Twin Cities, Lynch is the author of “Wisconsin
Starwatch; The Essential Guide to Our Night Sky” and other books in the
popular Starwatch series. He has led stargazing classes for more than
thirty years and has instructed thousands of backyard astronomers (and
maybe a few would-be professional astronomers.)
On
Sunday, space educator Jason Marcks will present the featured programs
starting [well after the Packer games] at 4:15 with a rocket launch
immediately followed at 4:30 his demonstration/program. He teaches both
undergraduate and graduate education courses in science and travels the
country doing space related programs in schools. Jason was recently
recognized for his professional accomplishments being named as the
Frank G. Brewer Award winner for excellence in aerospace education.
Crossroads
at Big Creek is located at 2041 Michigan Street (County TT) in Sturgeon
Bay. To reach the Astronomy Campus of Crossroads, turn onto Utah Street
and at the stop sign of the Cove Road intersections, turn left into
Crossroads.
Saturday, September 19, 2:00
Kick-0ff Family Program: Wisconsin Starwatch with Mike Lynch
In
the lecture hall of the Collins Learning Center, Lynch will present an
engaging, folksy introduction to the stars, telling folksy, but decided
updated stories from mythology to help “my the stars your old friends.”
Appropriate for grade two and older.
3:00 – 5:00
Astronomy Fair
The
laboratory at the Collins Learning Center will be set up with hands-on
activities. Some activities will be appropriate for young children
while others will intrigue learners of all ages. Mr. Lynch will beon hand to sign books
3:00-5:00
Telescope Petting Zoo
In
the Vignes School, a number of different types of telescopes will be on
display and members of the Door Peninsula Astronomical Society will be
on hand to explain how and why they work. They will also have
suggestions on how to get started in stargazing.
3:00-5:00
Sturgeon Bay Home and Garden Club Bake and Craft Sale
The
members of the Sturgeon Bay Home and Garden Club will be selling
homebaked goodies, crafts, and other items, the proceeds of which will
be used to create a scholarship for a Door County student to attend
NWTC.
3:00, 3:30, 4:00, and 4:30
Planetarium Shows
In
the Stonecipher Astronomy Center, short “Introduction to the Night Sky”
star shows will be present in the amazing inflatable StarLab
Planetarium. Shows will begin every half hour. Please use the Utah
Street Entrance.
3:00 – 5:00
Tours of Leif Everson Observatory, Demonstrations of the Radio Telescope, and Sungazing Activities Tour
the Astronomy Campus of Crossroads and participate in [safe] daytime
observing of the sun. Be amazed, as the members of the Door Peninsula
Astronomical Society show off their amazing astronomical equipment.
Please use the Utah Street Entrance.
8:30 PM
Star Party at the Leif Everson Observatory (clear skies only. Backup date, Sunday evening, September 20.)
Join
the members of the Door Peninsula Astronomical Society and Mike Lynch
in an evening of star gazing through a variety of telescopes. Dress
warmly. Please use the Utah Street Entrance.
Sunday, September 20, 1:30-4:00
Tours of the Historical Village at the Crossroads
Visit the buildings and learn how our pioneer ancestors used the stars and the moon to plan planting and harvest times.
2:00-4:00
Astronomy Fair
The
laboratory at the Collins Learning Center will be set up with hands-on
activities. Some activities will be appropriate for young children
while others will intrigue learners of all ages.
2:00-4:00 Telescope Petting Zoo
In
the Vignes School, a number of different types of telescopes will be on
display and members of the Door Peninsula Astronomical Society will be
on hand to explain how telescopes work. They will also have suggestions
on how to get started in stargazing.
2:00-4:00 Sturgeon Bay Home and Garden Club Bake and Craft Sale
The
members of the Sturgeon Bay Home and Garden Club will be selling
homebaked goodies, crafts, and other items, the proceeds of which will
be used to create a scholarship for a Door County student to attend
NWTC.
2:00, 2:30, 3:00, and 3:30 Planetarium Shows
In
the Stonecipher Astronomy Center, short “Introduction to the Night Sky”
star shows will be present in the amazing inflatable StarLab
Planetarium. Shows will begin every half hour. Please use the Utah
Street Entrance
2:00-4:00 Tours of Leif Everson Observatory, Demonstrations of the Radio Telescope, and Sungazing Activities
Tour
the Astronomy Campus of Crossroads and participate in [safe] daytime
observing of the sun. Be amazed, as the members of the Door Peninsula
Astronomical Society show off their amazing astronomical equipment. Please use the Utah Street Entrance.
4:15 Rocket Launch and “Space is Cool Program”
Jason
Marcks of Space Education Initatives will launch a rocket behind the
Collins Learning Center. Immediately after the rocket launch, he will
present a demonstration program in the learning center about the
coldest regions of our solar system. For learners of all ages.
Many of
the Past News articles may be retrieved from this directory,
indexed and named in the following manner: 080101-news.htm
where
the first two numbers are the year, the second two the month and the
last two the date.
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