What We've Been Doing Lately
Spring
We've been busy so far in 2011!
This past spring, YAA completed two more implementations of our after school program at the Tobin Community Center and UMASS Boston.
And we've been active in events all over Cambridge and Boston! We were joined by the Amateur Telescope Makers of Boston for Under the Boston Sky II, the follow up to our first successful star party at UMASS Boston. YAA and KCU youth joined MKI staff at Under the Dome, the MIT Open House, exhibiting planetarium shows and exhibits on the Chandra X-Ray Observatory, right next to the scientists and engineers who work on it! Just days later, we packed the roadshow over to the Center for Astrophysics, were we participated in the city-wide Cambridge Science Festival.
December
Upcoming Star Party
Just a reminder to say that we have our next star party scheduled at UMASS Boston for Friday, February 25th from 6:00-8:00PM with a cloud date of February 26th. Check the star party page for more details.
Expanding Facebook Presence
Our friends in the Science Education Department at the Center for Astrophysics have launched Facebook pages for both MicroObservatory and the traveling Black Hole Exhibit (you know, the one our apprentices contributed to!). Go click some "like" buttons!
New Video Online
The Science Media Group have released a new video showcasing the work of our very own YAA interns. Watch it now on YouTube for an up close and inside look at the some of their ongoing efforts in the YAA.
October
Astronomy in the City coming up
Cambridge's premier astronomy outreach event will be held on Saturday, December 4th from 2:30 - 5:30 PM. Click for details!
But we got some practice in first!
Our interns and senior staff have just returned from two days on the National Mall at the USA Science and Enginereeing Festival where they exhibited a version of Astronomy in the City small enough to fit inside a 10x10ft tent! We'll have pictures up shortly.
September
Whew. Great summer.
Thanks and congratulations go out to all our apprentices who were with us through the 2010 summer apprenticeship. Because of their effort and hard work, the YAA now boasts several new museum exhibits, three new shows for our portable planetarium, and a brand new theater performance. All of these projects will be shared at our upcoming events. Stay tuned for details.
Now taking applications for the 2010-2011 session!
Are you a high school student interested in joining the Youth Astronomy Apprenticeship? Starting this October and running through the beginning of May, the YAA After School Program will be hosted at two sites:
Tobin Community Center (1481 Tremont St. Roxbury, MA 02120): Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00 – 6:00PM, starting October 5th. It’s just a short walk from the Roxbury Crossing stop on the Orange Line or you can take either a #66 or #19 bus on Tremont Street.
UMass Boston (on campus): Saturdays 1:30 – 4:00 PM Starting October 9th. We’ll be on the third floor of the Science Center. You can download a campus map and driving directions online. You can easily reach the campus from the JFK/UMass stop on the Red Line. A free shuttle bus leaves the station at 12:00, 12:20, and 12:40 in the afternoon.
Download our printable brochure and apply online. Space will be limited, so get in early!
Elsewhere around the web
In case you’re not aware, we have more than just a website! You can join our Facebook group, follow us on Twitter, and check out the latest photos on Flickr.
May
While photos from our successful Astronomy in the City event are being processed, take a look at this 24.5 second movie of what a StarLab rehearsal looks like, in fast forward, that is..
April
Preparations are underway for Astronomy in the City, which will take place on Saturday May 15 from 2:00pm to 5:00pm.
We hope you will come join us when celebrate a promising group of middle and high school students from communities around Greater Boston. At Astronomy in the City you will engage in astronomy activities, attend poster presentations, explore an interactive science exhibit, and enjoy planetarium shows and science-theater performances. Follow the link for more information.
February
Terrascope Youth Radio, a program run by MIT and Cambridge Youth Programs, joins the Youth Astronomy Apprenticeship at the Cambridge Science Festival! The two groups are already working to prepare for the event on April 24th: From the Care of our Earth to the Wonders of our Universe. Follow the link or click on the flyer for more information.
When: April 24th, 2:00 - 5:00 pm
Where: MIT Stata Center, 32 Vassar Street, Cambridge
What: From the Care of our Earth to the Wonders of our Universe.
January
Registration for the 2010 YAA After-School session is open!
The program will run from early February until May 25th, 2010. To be eligible for the summer job at MIT participants are required to attend all sessions at their chosen site during the duration of the program. Participants are also required to attend the “Astronomy in the City” event hosted by the YAA program at MIT in May 2010. Click the image for a printable brochure.
Read the information below about the two different locations. Then use this online form to enter your information and pick your site.
The Tobin Community Center program will run Tuesdays & Thursdays 4:30-6:30pm starting February 9th. Located at 1481 Tremont St. Roxbury, MA 02120 (click on address for google map), Tobin Community Center is a 5-min walk from the Roxbury Crossing T-station on the Orange Line and is serviced by the #66 and #19 bus routes on Tremont St.
The UMass Boston program will run Saturdays 1-4:30pm starting February 6th. The Program will be held on the 3rd floor of the Science Center at the UMass Boston Campus (click on address for google map). Campus is accessible by the JFK/UMass T-station on the Red Line. Take the Free #1 bus from the station to Campus, departing at: 12:00, 12:20 or 12:40 pm.
December
Join us for an afternoon of astronomy on Saturday December 12th from 2:00pm to 4:30pm as we celebrate a promising group of middle and high school students from communities around Greater Boston.
These youth chose to devote part of their out-of-school time engaging in exciting astronomy investigations and science learning. Come and enjoy planetarium shows, an interactive Chandra exhibit, science theater, observing with remote telescopes and image processing, and astrophotography exhibits.
The event will be at the MIT Stratton Student Center, located at 84 Massachuestts Ave in Cambridge. Directions can be found here. Click the image for a high resolution, print-quality flyer.
November
The MKI Education and Outreach Group held a 2-day conference on science programs for older youth in out-of-school time. The conference took place on November 19th and 20th, 2009.
