Primary Sponsors
Journey through the Universe is a national science education initiative that engages entire communities-students, teachers, families, and the public-using education programs in the Earth and space sciences and space exploration to inspire and educate. The initiative engages communities in sustained science, math, and technology education, and is a celebration of exploration and the joys of learning.
What the human race knows about our world and the greater Universe is used to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers through interactions with the current generation; give teachers the tools and training to conduct powerful lessons in the classroom that are deeply relevant to the science curriculum; and provide venues for family learning where parents and their children learn together. More ...
February 10 - 18, 2011
Journey Week: February 10 - 18, 2011
- Thursday, February 10, 2011:
- Master Teacher Training: 8am - 2pm at `Imiloa Astronomy Education Center
- Friday, February 11, 2011:
- Astronomer Workshop: 9am - 1pm at `Imiloa Astronomy Education Center
- Teacher Workshop: 4pm – 7:30pm at `Imiloa Astronomy Education Center
- Sunday, February 13, 2011:
- Family Science Day: 9am - 4pm at `Imiloa Astronomy Education Center
- Tuesday, February 15, 2011:
- Hawai'i Chambers of Commerce Appreciation Event: 5-8pm at Hilo Yacht Club
- Wednesday, February 16, 2011:
- Family Science Night: 6pm - 9pm at University of Hawai'i at Hilo Theatre
The Local Science Team
- Andy Adamson, Joint Astronomy Centre
- Christian Andersen, UH Hilo Physics & Astronomy
- Colin Aspin, UH Institute for Astronomy
- Betsy Barton, UC Irvine/TMT Science Committee
- Kenyan Beals, Hawai'i Electric Company
- Kevin Caruso, Wilson-Hurd Manufacturing
- Richard Chamberlin, Caltech Submillimeter Observatory
- Kristin Chiboucas, Gemini Observatory
- Antonio Chrysostomou, Joint Astronomy Centre
- Paul Coleman, UH Institute for Astronomy
- Richard Crowe, UH Hilo Physics & Astronomy
- Doris Daou, NASA Lunar Science Institute
- Chris Davis, Joint Astronomy Centre
- Brian Day, NASA Lunar Science Institute
- Anil Dosaj, Submillimeter Array
- Angelic Ebbers, Gemini Observatory
- Scott Fisher, NSF/Gemini Observatory
- Brian Force, Caltech Submillimeter Observatory
- Gary Fujihara, UH Institute for Astronomy
- Tom Geballe, Gemini Observatory
- Taras Golota, Subaru Telescope
- Stephen Goodsell, Gemini Observatory
- Kevin Grazier, Jet Propulsion Laboratory
- Olivier Guyon, Subaru Telescope
- John Hamilton, UH Hilo Physics & Astronomy
- Janice Harvey, Gemini Observatory
- Saeko Hayashi, Subaru Telescope
- Inge Heyer, Joint Astronomy Centre
- Michael Hoenig, Gemini Observatory
- Ryoko Ishioka, Subaru Telescope
- David James, UH Hilo Physics & Astronomy
- Eric Jeschke, Subaru Telescope
- Scot Kleinman, Gemini Observatory
- Ron Koehler, Mauna Kea Support Services
- Shawn Laatsch, ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center
- Bernhard Laurich, Hawai‘i Community College
- Dan Lyons, University of Wyoming
- Frantz Martinache, Subaru Telescope
- Tony Matulonis, Gemini Observatory
- Richard McDermid, Gemini Observatory
- Callie McNew, Onizuka Center Visitor Information Station
- Peter Michaud, Gemini Observatory
- Robert Potter, Subaru Telescope
- Ramprasad Rao, Submillimeter Array
- Julie Renaud-Kim, W.M. Keck Observatory
- Kathy Roth, Gemini Observatory
- Hiroko Shinnaga, Caltech Submillimeter Observatory
- Doug Simons, Gemini Observatory
- Stephanie Slater, University of Wyoming
- Tim Slater, University of Wyoming
- Walter Steiger, Caltech Submillimeter Observatory
- Ryuji Suzuki, Subaru Telescope
- Marianne Takamiya, UH Hilo Physics & Astronomy
- Holly Thomas, Joint Astronomy Centre
- Kumiko Usuda, Subaru Telescope
- Watson Varricatt, Joint Astronomy Centre
- Bernie Walp, Gemini Observatory
- James Webb, Joint Astronomy Centre
- Greg Wirth, W.M. Keck Observatory
Lead Local Team
- Janice Harvey, Gemini Observatory
- Valerie Takata, Department of Education
- Richard Crowe, University of Hawai'i at Hilo
- Andolie Marten, Gemini Observatory
- Inge Heyer, Joint Astronomy Centre
- Bess Jennings, Department of Education
- Gail Loeffler, `Imiloa Astronomy Center
- Peter Michaud, Gemini Observatory
- Darrell Nekoba, Department of Education
The Program
Developed by the National Center for Earth and Space Science Education (NCESSE), Journey through the Universe provides a window on the true nature of science and the lives of modern-day explorers, with special emphasis on not just what is known about our world and the universe but how it has come to be known. It is an approach that reveals the very personal means by which researchers ask questions of the world and empower themselves to create a pathway to an answer.
The initiative includes local programming for thousands of students and families, grade K-12 lessons and curriculum support materials, grade K-12 educator training, and ongoing support from scientists and educators nationally in both science content and pedagogy for the classroom. The communities integrate these resources into their existing science, mathematics, and technology education programming in both formal and informal science education venues. The result of this partnership is programming that reflects the strengths and capabilities of the community, and provides access to resources that would otherwise be unavailable.
Hilo, Hawai'i is currently one of 10 communities around the nation that are designated Journey through the Universe sites.
The North Hilo/Laupahoehoe/Waiakea Complex area located on the island of Hawai'i joined the Journey through the Universe program in June 2004. There is a genuine desire among the scientists and professionals associated with astronomy to participate with Hilo schools. Local educators and students desire to share in the excitement of astronomy. Journey through the Universe Week can bring the two together. The joint partnership will:
- Heighten awareness of science in classrooms.
- Help students meet the Hawai'i Content and Performance Standards and national standards.
- Provide rigor, relevance and relationships in curriculum, instruction and assessment.
- Tap into the rich resources that are the Hilo community.
- Improve teaching staff in content fields. Professional development, in-service training sessions, networking and articulation amongst educators, scientists, and community people will help improve teaching.
- Educate parents and the community in the space science enterprise.
Programming provided to each community includes a weeklong celebration of learning "Journey through the Universe Week" conducted by a National Team of researchers and engineers reflecting organizations from across the NASA communities. During Journey Week:
Family Science Events
A family science night will be held at the `Imiloa Astronomy Center, including planetarium shows, four guest lecturers, and free access to the exhibit area.
Classroom Visits
A National Team of researchers and engineers working on the frontier conduct Classroom Visits for 8,000 K-12 students. The researchers are gifted at communicating their passion for research and science to audience of all ages, providing students a personal interaction with explorers working on the space frontier, and providing a window on the lives of researchers and the process of science.
Educator Workshops
Training is provided for K-12 educators on Education Modules that are mapped to the National Science Education Standards. Each Module includes an Educational Unit at three (K-4, 5-8, 9-12) or four (K-2, 3-4, 5-8, 9-12) grade levels, and includes content overviews; inquiry-based, hands-on activities; assessment rubrics; and resource listings.
Contact Us
- E-Mail Journey through the Universe Program
- Phone Janice Harvey (808) 974-2603
- Mail Journey through the Universe, Janice Harvey, Gemini Observatory, 670 N. A'ohoku Place, Hilo, Hawai'i
- Press Inquiries Janice Harvey, Gemini Observatory, (808) 974-2603, jharvey"at"gemini.edu