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Note: This blog is Part 2 of a previous post, Make Every Tree Count: Getting Started in Sustainability Programming   Host a Community Tree Walk. Because the destination must be easily accessible for library patrons of all abilities, the site, whether the library’s property, a community park, or someplace further that might require driving, such as a conservation area, should be considered with the patron in mind. Local resources, such as the state extension office or conservation department, can often offer no/low cost facilitators to lead your walk. The program can include information on tree identification by shape, bark and leaf, information about [...]

Trees provide one of the most versatile themes for library programs. Whether your audience is families, adults, children or classrooms/youth groups, “Trees” can provide a foundation for affordable and useful programs for libraries of all sizes -- uniting art and community with citizen science. Now is an ideal time to plan “tree-themed” programming for 2020. Not only is April 2020 Citizen Science Month, it’s also the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, and NASA GLOBE Observer is planning an international Trees Challenge (see below) in honor of the 25th anniversary of the GLOBE Program. In January 2019, the American Library Association adopted [...]

by Quyen Hart, Space Telescope Science Institute Join NASA's Universe of Learning for an exciting opportunity to use real astronomical data and tools to create your own beautiful images of the iconic starburst galaxy M82. You can capture your own real-time telescope image of M82 using the MicroObservatory robotic telescope network, or you can work with an archived set of NASA data files of M82, taken with 4 multi-wavelength space telescope missions: Hubble, Chandra, Spitzer, and GALEX. The challenges include instructions on how to turn those data into beautiful composite images with a simple version of an image processing tool used by professional astronomers.  Submit your astrophoto [...]

Computer Science Education Week is an annual program started in 2009 to raise awareness about the growing prevalence of computing in all careers and to underscore the importance of computer science education for people of all ages. It is held every year in December (9th-15th this year) in recognition of the birthday of computing pioneer Admiral Grace Murray Hopper (December 9, 1906). Libraries, schools, and afterschool programs around the world participate by holding Hour of Code Events, with 29,327 registered events happening in the United States alone! The STAR Net team hosted an “Exploring Space” workshop at the Boulder Computer Science Education Week at Boulder Public Library on Tuesday, [...]

by Andrea Jones, NASA's Solar System Exploration Division 10 years ago, NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) and its sister mission Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) entered lunar orbit. From the interest and enthusiasm at events celebrating the occasion, International Observe the Moon Night was born. Today, International Observe the Moon Night is now a worldwide celebration of lunar science and exploration, celestial observation, and the cultural and personal connections we have to the Moon. Everyone, everywhere can participate. You can join by hosting or attending an event, or registering as a lunar observer. With the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing, an international [...]

By Michelle Hall and Michael Mayhew Co-directors, Teen Science Café Network A teen science café brings high school teens together in a social setting to have a lively conversation with a scientist on some interesting and timely topic. In a teen café program, teens organize all aspects of it with the help of an adult mentor, and hands-on learning activities allow teens to interact one-on-one with the presenter and reveal more about the presenter’s work. The Teen Science Café Network (TSCN) is a community of practice that has grown at a rapid rate to 130 sites in 45 states, the District of [...]

By Claire Ratcliffe, Education Coordinator @ NCIL/SSI STAR Net recently launched a national traveling exhibition, Exploring Space: Smart Spacecraft, Big Data, and Modeling Reality. It will be hosted at four different libraries across the country over the course of the next year and showcases the evolving role of computing in space science and astronomy. The four host libraries include Westminster Public Library in Colorado, Brentwood Public Library in Tennessee, Algona Public Library in Iowa, and Marshall-Lyon County Library in Minnesota. Two representatives from each of the four host libraries met with the NCIL team for a workshop about the exhibit and the [...]

By Emma Marcucci, Space Telescope Science Institute Continue the exploration ignited by this summer’s reading theme "A Universe of Stories" with new resources and opportunities from NASA’s Universe of Learning and Girls STEAM Ahead with NASA. In this post, we will talk about three new resources: An opportunity to receive a travelling or permanent poster exhibit on the universe, A DIY Astrophoto Challenge, and Newly released thematic resource guides.   1. Apply for a poster exhibit Apply to receive one of several stunning exhibits provided by NASA’s Universe of Learning! https://forms.gle/TLXtf4NEL9Y5EeJD8 Several exhibits are available in limited quantities: “Visions of the Universe”: [...]

By Theresa Schwerin, Institute for Global Environment Strategies (IGES) The GO Oklahoma! citizen science challenge (June 15-Oct. 31, 2019) is part of the GLOBE Mission Mosquito campaign, co-led by the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) and NASA GSFC. Citizen scientists in the greater Oklahoma City/Norman, OK metropolitan area are collecting GLOBE Observer Mosquito Habitat Mapper data to support NASA research by partner scientists Dr. Mike Wimberly, University of Oklahoma, Norman, and Dr. Caio Franca, Southern Nazarene University. The University of Oklahoma provided the equipment (clip-on magnifiers and mosquito traps) and an expedited Institutional Review Board (IRB). The data collected is related [...]

Willa Kopp-DeVol, a Junior at Animas High School in Durango, Colorado, recently served a 3 week internship at the Space Science Institute (SSI) in which she worked with both the research and education departments. Her school’s Leading Internships for New Knowledge (LINK) Program takes students beyond the classroom walls in order to clarify personal, college and career goals while teaching invaluable professional skills and life lessons. Below is the second installment of this blog series. Click here to view part 1 of her personal thoughts on her internship experience. Education Department of SSI By Willa Kopp-DeVol (May 10, 2019) For the last 2 weeks [...]