Sky Path Project

by Tricia Finkle

On November 21, the Vermont State Science & Math Fair (VSSMF) organized a professional development event with Joe Comeau and four Grand Isle SU middle school science teachers at Joe’s Orchard Hill Observatory focusing on astronomy and astrophotography. Teachers toured the observatory and observed sunspots, before viewing a technical presentation of heavenly bodies as seen through Joe's camera lens.

Teachers were given a VSSMF Student Astronomy Kit that included high quality 8X42 binoculars, a compass, UV flashlight & marker, glow in the dark book of constellations, and materials to make a stargazing mat, altitude tracker, and star wheel as part of an activity developed to connect teachers with the Vermont Astronomical Society called Sky Path. In Sky Path, students use the kit to observe, and learn to navigate, the night sky. Then students select, research and possibly photograph, a celestial object, and record their findings and observations on a wiki page. Students arrange the selected objects into an interpretive path, which is presented to the public as an evening star party with the help of VAS members.

Details of this concept will be presented at the February 6 meeting of the VAS.

Tricia is Co-Director of the Vermont State Science & Mathematics Fair. VSSMF is an inquiry based poster- presentation competition open to all middle and high school level students in the state of Vermont.

Of interest to folks at all levels of knowledge.

Location: Brownell Library, Essex Jct. VT