wavelandscott
08-08-2008, 10:31 PM
Just got home from helping at a NSAS viewing night at Cherrybrook. I am not sure how many kids/parents were in attendance but I enjoyed it a great deal. The kids were largely well behaved, respectful and interested. Well done to the organizers!!
No, it was not particularly dark and the views were a bit limited to moon, Jupiter (other planets early) some double stars, Jewell Box Cluster etc. but it was still fun.
But, there was one boy, I did not even get his name, that came back after most everyone had left and expressed a real interest in looking up...I got a great charge out of showing him a few things and letting him just look through my scope on his own. His excitement was contagious and refreshing and while I always enjoy outreach, this particular experience helped me have an even bigger smile than normal.
While I can't claim that he will go on to a career in Astronomy or even science, just seeing his interest in learning for this one evening was a great buzz for me. I am hopeful that the spark I saw tonight can be nurtured into a life time passion for learning. And that is why I enjoy doing Astro outreach...
No, it was not particularly dark and the views were a bit limited to moon, Jupiter (other planets early) some double stars, Jewell Box Cluster etc. but it was still fun.
But, there was one boy, I did not even get his name, that came back after most everyone had left and expressed a real interest in looking up...I got a great charge out of showing him a few things and letting him just look through my scope on his own. His excitement was contagious and refreshing and while I always enjoy outreach, this particular experience helped me have an even bigger smile than normal.
While I can't claim that he will go on to a career in Astronomy or even science, just seeing his interest in learning for this one evening was a great buzz for me. I am hopeful that the spark I saw tonight can be nurtured into a life time passion for learning. And that is why I enjoy doing Astro outreach...