Journey through the Universe 2014

See Gemini Observatory's webfeature on Journey 2013

Download Journey 2013 overview booklet

Journey through the Universe (Journey) Week: March 6 – 14, 2014

Developed by the National Center for Earth and Space Science Education (NCESSE), Journey through the Universe is a national science education initiative that engages entire communities – students, teachers, families, and the public – using educational programs in the Earth and space sciences and space exploration to inspire and educate. The initiative supports sustained Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education in local schools, and is a celebration of exploration and the joy of learning.

The Hilo/Waiakea Complex, located on the island of Hawai'i and home of Mauna Kea Observatories, joined the Journey through the Universe program in June 2004 and is one of 10 communities in the nation that are designated Journey through the Universe sites. More ...

Family Science Events

Environments where families learn science together with hands-on activities. Local and national scientists give short presentations on interesting topics in astronomy and space exploration throughout the event.

`Imiloa's 8th Annual KTA Family Free Day, Sunday, March 9, 2014, 9am – 4pm
at `Imiloa Astronomy Education Center

Exhibits from the Observatories on Mauna Kea, NASA Lunar Space Institute, UHH Astrophysics Club, Visitor Information Station and many others will be open for viewing!

Astronomy Educators Reception, Monday, March 10, 2014, 5pm – 8pm at Hilo Yacht Club
Sponsored by Hawai'i Island Chamber of Commerce, Japanese Chamber of Commerce, and Industry of Hawai'i

Friday, March 7, 2014: `Imiloa Astronomy Center

Facilitate common understandings of key concepts and strategies for effective science education among master educators and professional scientists for preparation for classroom visits.

Master Educators Workshop: 8am – 12pm

Each local school selects one Master Educator to represent the participating teachers for the school.

Science Educators Workshop: 10am – 12pm (joining the Master Educators)

See the workshop flier!

The combined Master Educator and Astronomy Educator Workshop is designed to help astronomers enhance and focus their classroom visits by working side by side with Master Educators. Astronomers are encouraged to bring their classroom presentation materials to this workshop to get valuable feedback from classroom experts. This workshop dramatically improves the impact of astronomers’ and scientists’ classroom visits.

Astronomy Educators and Science Educators are volunteering astronomers, engineers, and faculty from astronomical institutions and colleges, both local and national.

Saturday, March 8, 2014: `Imiloa Astronomy Center

Journey STEM conference and workshops: 8am – 2:45pm

Ambassadors play a very important role in the Journey through the Universe program. Our ambassador team represents members of the community who choose to help inspire our youth and support unique educational opportunities in science education. Ambassadors help facilitate one day (or more) events as follows:

• Make arrangements with assigned Astronomy Educator to meet or to carpool if appropriate
• Assist the Astronomy/Science Educator with transport, setup and breakdown of classroom materials and/or AV equipment
• Introduce the Astronomy/Science Educator to the class and help monitor their time to end on schedule
• Distribute a Classroom Visit Assessment form to the teacher(s)

If you are interested in being an ambassador for one day (or more!) please contact Christine Copes, ccopes@gemini.edu (974-2531) or Janice Harvey, jharvey@gemini.edu (974-2603).

Download flyer for interested individuals.

A live video conference connecting local Hilo students with the astronauts aboard the International Space Station prompted many questions.

Local student Kiani Nishimoto, an eighth grade student from Waiakea Intermediate School on the Big Island, Hawaii, asks about water processing in space.

Student Spaceflight Experiments Program (SSEP) — Hilo-Waiakea Complex Area

NASA Press Release: [SSEP] Students Conduct Live Conversation with Orbiting NASA Astronauts

Watch the video of local Hilo students communicating with astronauts aboard the International Space Station.

An exciting new program - literally “out of this world” - is coming to our students in the Hilo-Waiakea area schools this year! As part of our highly successful Journey through the Universe program and our commitment to preparing students for S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) careers, we are now able to offer our students the opportunity to participate in the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program (SSEP) - a project developed by the National Center for Earth and Space Science Education (NCESSE) to engage students in authentic scientific research carried out in space! However, we need your help to fund the project.

Administrators and teachers at Waiakea Intermediate School will lead the project, with approximately 650 students participating in the SSEP. Additional schools are welcome to participate. With assistance from teachers and community mentors, students will develop investigations, write proposals, and submit plans for spaceflight experiments to a review committee. The committee will select and forward the most promising proposals to the NCESSE, and one project will be selected to fly to the International Space Station and return to students in Spring 2013.

While only one project will be selected for spaceflight, the project will involve our entire community. A design competition for a mission patch to fly with the selected project into space will engage additional students; while parents and community mentors provide support through mentorships and fund-raising. Our community will be highlighted with other SSEP sites through national press releases distributed by NCESSE. For more information about the SSEP, go to http://ssep.ncesse.org/

The fee for flying single experiment to space is $19,950, with fees covering the cost of supplies, management and transport of the student project on the mission to space. We have requested funding support from NCESSE partners; however we will also need assistance from members of our community to support students’ participation. Our goal is to raise at least $10,000 by Sept. 1, 2012.

We believe the SSEP will provide our students with a unique and significant learning experience. It is aligned with state and Complex Area initiatives to promote student achievement in the STEM fields, and to prepare them for careers that are locally available to them through numerous Big Island business and research facilities.

We are most grateful for any assistance you may be able to provide toward this endeavor. Checks may be made out to “Waiakea Intermediate School” (please write “SSEP” on the bottom of the check), and should be mailed to or dropped off at the school office: 200 W. Puainako St. Hilo 96720-3199 no later than Sept. 1, 2012. For more information, contact Christine Copes at 933-0934, Christine_Copes "at" notes.k12.hi.us Thank you in advance for your support!

The SSEP Lead Team

Janice Harvey
Gemini Observatory
670 N. A`ohoku Place
Hilo, Hawai'i 96720

Phone: (808) 974-2603

Email: jharvey "at" gemini.edu