Research Telescope Educators Workshop
October 31-November 1, 2008
at the Rainwater Observatory and Planetarium, French Camp, MS
funded by the Mississippi NASA Space Grant Consortium
This two day, 10 contact hour, workshop will focus on activities to learn how to access and use the new .65m Sangre Research Telescope at Rainwater Observatory near French Camp Mississippi. In addition to learning to operate the large telescope there will be time spent in the observatory's planetarium learning the constellations, and using some of the other telescopes at Rainwater.
Teachers can choose to receive 1 CEU toward teacher recertification. To receive CEU credit requires a $20.00 payment to the University of Mississippi Continuing Education.
Our clinician will be James Hill, the director of Rainwater Observatory. Mr.Hill, the NASA/JPL Solar System Educator Fellow for Mississippi will also share with us the latest on NASA’s many current and upcoming missions to Mars, comets, Saturn, Mercury, and more. Also available to teachers is the observatory’s Astronomy Education Resource Center, with its collection of classroom activities, books, videos, slides, posters, and models. These materials may be checked out and used in your classrooms.
Food and lodging will be provided at no charge to the participants who pre-register. A $50 deposit is required which will be refunded to participants or those who cancel in writing at least 3 weeks before the date of the workshop.
Lodging: Participants who wish to stay overnight will be housed Friday and/or Saturday nights in the lakeside Lodge or Guest House for in French Camp. (Housing is available for up to 32 participants.)
Meals: Friday supper and breakfast and lunch Saturday will be provided.
Registration will begin at the Observatory at 4:00 PM, Friday, February 8. Supper will be at 5:00 PM. The workshop for CEU credit will be from 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM on Friday and 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM on Saturday. Saturday supper and star party will be optional. If you would like to participate but can’t be here for the full time, you are still welcome to participate. There is no charge for the workshop, lodging, or meals which are being funded by a grant from the Mississippi NASA Space Grant Consortium.
For more information call 662-547-6377. Come join us for an enlightening weekend.