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The
most successful events are designed around a theme, and offer a
variety of related learning activities. Following are some event
ideas that should be successful:
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Astro Science Night
Exploring the Night Sky
Family Science Night
Fun and Learning the Night Sky
Math and Science Family Night
MoonScope
MoonScope on a Starry Night
Moonscapes
Night “Spacetacular”
Night Sky Adventure
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Night Sky of the Ancients and
Mythology
Night Sky with the Planets
Night with the Stars
Race to the Planets
Science Night
Star Gazing Lock-In
Star Spectacular
Star “Spacetacular”
Stargazing
Starry Night
Trip to the Moon
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School Star Party Scheduling Coordinator
Paul Moss
520 240-2084
school-star-party [at] tucsonastronomy.org
Star Party Request Form and Instructions [DOC]
TAAA can help you choose an event theme,
whether for daytime, evening, or overnight camp out.
See the
Teacher's Corner for projects and instructional materials. The
TAAA Star Party Coordinator can also provide guidance, when you
Request a Star Party.
To the Top
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Walk the site (preferably at night)
and select a location away from bright lights and potential
dangers.
The Star Party Leader is
responsible for learning EXACTLY where telescopes are to be
positioned for viewing at your school and will ensure an
adequate number of volunteers and their scopes will be arriving
for your star party.
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Any identified dangers or hazards
should be addressed with the school staff.
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Get permission and make arrangements
for very limited area lighting, suspended sprinklers, etc. in
the viewing area. (The school is responsible for water damage to
personal property occurring during a star party!)
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The astronomers will need to drive
to the immediate observing location. This often means unlocking
a gate onto a playground.
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Make arrangements for cleaning area
afterwards, if necessary.
Star Parties provide an opportunity to
publicize your school and the TAAA.
To the Top
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Confirm that TAAA astronomers have
access to your location (gates are unlocked, if applicable)
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Confirm that
lighting is limited and sprinklers
suspended, etc. in the viewing area
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Provide for
related activities and handouts (such as log sheets, star
finders, etc.)
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Arrange for a
camera to take pictures at your event
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Make
arrangements for cleaning the area afterwards, if necessary
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And finally, in the unlikely event
of inclement weather, the leader will contact your school to
handle the possibility of cancellation of the event. Every
effort will be made to reschedule canceled events.
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Are you a Project Astro School?
This program partners astronomers and teachers for learning.
Benefits include free instructional
materials for teachers, in addition to one-on-one support from a
trained astronomer.
Download the Project Astro Brochure
Visit the Astro Tucson website
for additional information and resources.
Project Astro is an educational outreach program of the
National Optical Astronomy
Observatory (NOAO).
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