Celebrate Astronomy! Year of Science July 2009

[science_spot]

The year of Science 2009 is a public awareness science event running the entire year.  Each month they look at a new science topic, providing learning opportunities, games and activities for adults and kids of all ages.   This month is a focus on astronomy!  Astronomy is the oldest science known to man, and has incredible importance in our daily lives.  July is the perfect time for this theme, too, because the nights are warm enough to stay outside and view the stars and moon.  This month we also celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Apollo moon landings!  In addition, the International Atronomical Union declared 2009 the International Year of Astronomy.  So now is really a great time to learn a little something about astronomy, and the world(s) around us.

 

Below are some awesome activities to check out with your kids as we use July to Celebrate Astronomy!  You never know, you may be inspiring a future astronaut or astronomer! 

We Choose the MOON is a video recreation of the first moon landing.

The microObservatory lets you control a telescope and get a free picture!

Meet the Scientists chats with for astronomers, and you can learn about their jobs.

Buzz Lightyear game, trivia, coloring pages, jigsaws and more in The Fun Zone!

And Connecting Astronomy to Society.... (podcasts, news articles and more.....

 

One of my favorite new images, courtesy of NASA's POD (Picture of the Day):

Mount Rushmore's Starry Night (by Wally Pacholka)

 

 

 

 

Tonya

 AKA sunmoonstars

The Science Spot

 

[PaxMommy]

Jul. 5, 2009 at 2:22 PM

Oooh...thanks for the information! I'm very behind on reading your blogs because i've been trying to take a little break from the computer. Of course, I had to skip ahead and read this one!!

I will absolutely use these resources to teach my kids. July happens to be the month of my birth! It seems like the perfect month to inspire future astronomers.

(And speaking of astronomy, I have embarked on a mission to build myself a Dobsonian telescope.)

Thanks for spreading the joy of astronomy!!!!