Middle School Summer Astronomy Program

8-10 p.m., June 27-29, 2017

Published:

June 12, 2017

Grinnell College's Summer Astronomy Program offers middle school students the opportunity to learn more about the universe. Those who register for the free program will participate in presentations, activities and discussions, and observe astronomical objects through the telescope at the College's Grant O. Gale Observatory.

Bob Cadmus, professor emeritus of physics at Grinnell College, will direct program. There will be three sessions, each focused on a different topic. All of the sessions will take place from 8-10 p.m. at the Gale Observatory, located on the northern edge of campus (north of 10th Avenue and west of the railroad tracks; north of the baseball diamond and track). The sessions will be held on the following dates:

Tuesday, June 27 — Planets

This session will answer questions such as:

What are planets like?
What makes a planet suitable for life?
Is there life elsewhere in our solar system or in other solar systems?

Wednesday, June 28 — Stars

This session will explore questions such as:

What makes stars shine?
Where do stars come from and why do some of them end their lives as black holes?
What kinds of stars might have planets that could support life?

Thursday, June 29 — Galaxies and the Universe

This session will provide answers to questions such as:

What is the universe like?
How much do we know about where it came from and what will happen to it in the future?

Although students are encouraged to attend all three sessions, partial attendance is permitted.

The program is open to students who will be in 6th, 7th or 8th grades this fall. If space permits, students who will be in 9th grade this fall also will be admitted. Students may each bring one adult "assistant" if they wish.

Advance registration is required. To register, call 641-269-3172 by Monday, June 26. For more information, contact Cadmus at 641-269-3016/3014 or 641-236-8398.

Grinnell College welcomes the participation of people with disabilities. Accommodation requests may be made to Conference Operations.

The College welcomes the presence of minors at all age-appropriate public events and for informal visits, with the understanding that a parent, legal guardian, or other responsible adult assumes full responsibility for their child’s safety and behavior during such visits or events. In these cases the College expects that an adult responsible for the visiting child takes measures to ensure the child’s safety and sees that the child complies with directions of College personnel. Grinnell College is not responsible for supervision of minors on campus.