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Citizen Scientists – Inaugural Presentation (Updated)
Title: Citizen Scientists – Inaugural Presentation
Date: 3-2-2010 (Tuesday) or 3-6-2010 (Saturday)
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: A Time for Science (directions)
Files: Click here for a handout of this event. Also, see the release forms on the forms/files page.
We want to get the word out to everyone who may be interested in a new program of science activities being fostered at A Time for Science Nature and Science Learning Center. Numerous research organizations throughout the world, from uni-versities to government agencies, are reaching out to schools, students, organizations, and ordinary, everyday citizens to become involved with their research and they are soliciting assis-tance for a variety of scientific research endeavors. Many of these endeavors involve observing and reporting on all manner of natural and environmental conditions and occurrences – such as bird, butterfly, turtle, or other animal activity; surface or coastal water quality/conditions; local rainfall, temperatures and a variety of weather occurrences as well as sky observations. And the list goes on.
A Time for Science (ATFS) intends to become a partner and facilitator in a number of these programs, reaching out to the residents of Eastern North Carolina to become CITIZEN SCIENTISTS and to get them actively involved in interesting, fun, and very meaningful and useful research.
Not the least of these research organizations and endeavors is NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) and its continuing research using its Night Sky Network. One important research activity underway is its investigation of sky brightness (night-time light pollution) and its effects not only on the observational capabilities of astronomers throughout the world but its effects on a number of environmental issues as well. Check out their Citizen Scientists website here.
To initiate this offering, ATFS, in partnership with the Carolina Skies Astronomy Club, invites teachers and organization leaders to join us in learning how to get involved and to foster participation in this important investigation. An excellent PowerPoint presentation from NASA’s Night Sky Network will be given and a demonstration of the observation process will be presented. Participants will have a chance to immediately use what they have learned by performing an actual observation. Permission from NASA has been obtained to provide copies of the PowerPoint to teachers and leaders who may want to use it in their classrooms. The goal is to get a number of schools, groups and individuals within Pitt, Lenoir, and Green Counties (and beyond) participating so that as many data points as possible will be sent from our region to the researchers.
Instructional presentations will be given at the A Time for Science Learning Center (directions) on Tuesday March 2nd and Saturday March 6th at 6:30 pm. Note, you need only attend one session, but we are making two presentations available. Since space is limited, please indicate your desire to attend either by registering on-line at the website by e-mailing or phoning in their reservation. See the Contact tab on the website for mail, e-mail or phone contact information. Join the fun as well as contribute to a useful scientific endeavor.
For those teachers wishing a copy of the PowerPoint to present in class bring along a USB thumb drive on which it can be downloaded.
Registration is currently: CLOSED