Sarnia's First IYA Event

by Ron Warren, Sarnia Centre

Sarnia Centre's first IYA 2009 event promoting astronomy was successful. We weren't sure how many kids and parents would come out, but there were over 70... with kids making up at least 40, and many were girls!

We had nine members participate in: Travel the Universe in Nine Steps; two free Internet sites about Moon exploration and Mars; All About Binoculars; Meteorite Presentation; the Night Sky for March and Basic Astronomy (using Stellarium); and Junior Certificate Observing Programs. We also had four scopes, one of which was made by one of our members... and displays, books and actual meteorites. Members linked them to astronomy very nicely!

Material for the Junior Certificates and other astronomy information was given to each child (and adults for other kids at home) as they left. Two kids left with a door prize - a very small meteorite.

Of course, the cookies, brownies, hot chocolate, and juice at two breaks were very much appreciated.

Viewing was cancelled due to thick clouds which, of course, cleared about one hour after everything was finished.

Author: 
walter.macdonald2@gmail.com
Last modified: 
Monday, January 5, 2015 - 3:32pm