Past Workshops 2011-2012
Read all about our Stars at Yerkes Workshops for 2011 - 2012.
2011 September - Infrared Astronomy Featuring NASA's SOFIA and NITARP programs
Stars at Yerkes traveled across the spectrum of multi-wavelength astronomy with a special emphasis on infrared astronomy during the first teacher workshop of the 2011 - 2012 year. The workshop on infrared astronomy featured NASA's SOFIA and NITARP Programs. A variety of sessions, tours and hands-on activities were lead by astronomers, engineers and teachers that are involved in NASA’s SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy) and NITARP (NASA/IPAC Teacher Archive Research Program using the Spitzer Space Telescope) infrared missions. Read more here.
2011 October - Teacher Lunacy III Workshop: Seeing the Moon as Kuiper Did
"Observing The Moon As Gerard Kuiper Did" was the focus of the October 2011 Stars at Yerkes teacher workshop. Tracing the path that Gerard Kuiper traveled in his quest to see the moon surface while director at Yerkes Observatory framed the activities of the day. Surprising three dimensional images of the moon's surface were viewed, along with those of solar system planets, moons, and animations on the rarely seen "Kuiper Hemisphere" artifact. Some really rotating activities were unveiled!
2011 November - Using Radio Astronomy in the Classroom
A wide variety of activities and experiences illustrated the interesting world of radio astronomy at the November 2011 Stars at Yerkes teacher workshop. Participants were treated to a presentation by Dr. Rachel Rosen, astronomer at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank, West Virginia. Student projects led by S@Y teachers Sherry Shelley and Marcella Linehan were also highlighted.Read more here.
2011 December - Visions of the Universe: Remote Observing
In the first ever Stars at Yerkes webinar, teachers learned about several different telescopes available online for students to use and image objects in our Milky Way and beyond. Using the Internet and an online conference format, teachers from a variety of locations were brought together by conference leader and Stars at Yerkes teacher, Jackie Barge to learn about remote observing.Read more here.
2012 January - Miss Leavitt's Stars - Book Discussion and Variable Stars
Stars at Yerkes celebrates the work of Henrietta Leavitt with a discussion of George Johnson's book and an examination of the Yerkes connection to "computers" and variable stars. Workshop leader and Stars at Yerkes teacher Elizabeth Ramseyer took participants on a journey exploring not only variable stars, but issues related to women in science.Read more here.
2012 February - Citizen Science Saturday
2012 March - Building STEM in Your Classroom
2012 April - Constellation Photography and Variable Stars
Another successful year of Stars at Yerkes workshops was punctuated with a series of sessions related to constellation photography and variable stars. Workshop leader and Stars at Yerkes teacher Richard DeCoster hosted a panel of experts who took us to the edge of our galaxy, around the world, and our own classrooms and backyards to share with us many memorable insights and images.
Read more here.
Our 2011 - 2012 calendar of events and dates as posted
(You can also view our Stars at Yerkes Calendar here)
2011 September: Infrared Astronomy featuring NASA's SOFIA and NITARP Programs
Saturday, September 10, 2011 - Teacher Workshop
Workshop will be held at Yerkes Observatory from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm. Optional Saturday Evening Observing – by appointment
We invite you to join us in exploring the invisible universe of infrared astronomy through informative sessions, tours and hands on activities. You will be lead by astronomers and teachers that are involved in NASA’s SOFIA and Spitzer (NITARP) infrared missions, at the forefront of astronomical research. The aim of this workshop is to increase your knowledge of and ability to teach about infrared light as well as learn how you can become involved in NASA missions.Scheduled to participate are the first six teachers to fly on SOFIA!Cost for the workshop is $25.00 and registration is suggested. Registration includes CPDU's and lunch.Click here for event agenda and registration.
Click here to complete the post-workshop survey.
Read all about this event here.
2011 October: International Observe the Moon Celebration
Saturday, October 8, 2011 - Teacher Lunacy Workshop 3: Seeing the Moon as Kuiper Did
Workshop will be held at Yerkes Observatory from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.
The Stars at Yerkes Lunacy III Workshop will provide teachers with classroom activities and resources associated with Gerard P. Kuiper’s Hemisphere. Learn about the Moon from a 1960’s perspective and how you can use this wonderful 3D model in your classroom. In this workshop, teachers will learn some historical information about Gerald P. Kuiper’s Hemisphere. This artifact has resided at Yerkes since the 1960’s, and was used to rectify images of the moon before satellites were ever sent there. "Rectify the moon?" you say? Come find out what that means. In this workshop you will learn how to use the “Kuiper Hemisphere” to teach moon topography, the history of how and why it was used, and applications of ways to use it with today’s technology. This is a real model of the moon in 3D. "Lunacy III: Seeing the Moon as Kuiper Did" is a special day for teacher training at Yerkes Observatory, and is part of the “International Observe the Moon Night” Project. Return in the evening for the Public Observing Night Moon Party, as we share the skies and observe the Moon using a variety of techniques and telescopes.Cost for the workshop is $25.00 and registration is suggested. Registration includes CPDU's. Lunch is on your own.
Click here for event agenda and registration.
Click here to complete the post-workshop survey.
Read all about this event here.
Saturday night, October 8, 2011 - International Observe the Moon Night (IOMN) 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Public Star Party Event held at Yerkes Observatory, at 373 W. Geneva Street, Williams Bay, Wisconsin.
Come observe the Moon, with activities designed for school age children accompanied by a parent or teacher.
Cost for public star party is $5.00 per teacher/adult, $15.00 for families.
For more details and registration information, click here.
2011 November: Using Radio Astronomy in the ClassroomSaturday, November 19, 2011 - Teacher WorkshopWorkshop will be held at Yerkes Observatory from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Since the little "blip" found by Jocelyn Bell when she was operating her telescope, radio astronomy has been intriguing the public for years. So having students learn the story and participate in the activities is a great way to bring in technology and the nature of science to the classroom. This workshop will provide background information as well as hands-on activities about radio astronomy including the Drake Equation, radio frequency interference, and the pioneers that helped the radio telescope become an important part of astronomy.
Cost for the workshop is $25.00 and registration is suggested. Registration includes CPDU's and lunch.
Click here for event agenda and registration.
Click here to complete the post-workshop survey.
Saturday night, November 19 - Public Star Party Outdoor Observing 6:00 - 8:00 pmPublic Star Party Event held at Yerkes Observatory, at 373 W. Geneva Street, Williams Bay, Wisconsin.
Register for our Moonless Star Party on November 19th from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. Learn the fall constellations, see many deep sky objects through telescopes, and observe Jupiter and its four moons. This star party will happen if skies are clear or cloudy. There will be indoor activities if the sky is cloudy. Activities are designed for school age children accompanied by a parent or teacher. Dress warmly!
Cost for public star party is $5.00 per teacher/adult, $15.00 for families.
For more details and registration information, click here.
2011 December: Visions of the Universe - Remote Observing
Saturday, December 10, 2011Workshop will be held ONLINE as a Webinar event from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm (noon).
Additional session Saturday evening, December 10, 2011 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm Weather Permitting
We love to see the universe as it is viewed through a telescope at night. But how do you get your students to use a telescope when you are in class with them during the daytime or if you live in an area with a lot of light so the sky isn’t very dark? The answer is Remote Observing. You will learn about several different telescopes available online that you and your students can use to take pictures with. This workshop will bring together Internet technology and astronomy in an authentic experience for you and your students. An additional evening session will operate a telescope remotely weather permitting. Both sessions will be in an online webinar format so you will need a computer with Internet access to attend the workshop.
Cost for the webinar is $25.00 and registration is required. Click here for details and registration.
Read all about this event here.
2012 January: Miss Leavitt's Stars - Stars at Yerkes Book Club Discussion
Saturday, January 21, 2012 - Teacher WorkshopWorkshop will be held at Yerkes Observatory from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. Our January Stars at Yerkes Book Club selection has been chosen!
Miss Leavitt's Stars by George Johnson (ISBN 0-393-05128-5) is our book to discuss in January 2012.
Henrietta Leavitt’s analysis of Cepheid variable stars gave astronomers an ability to measure distances outside our galaxy. Miss Leavitt’s Stars by George Johnson was mentioned last year at the first Stars at Yerkes book discussion. This book does an excellent job discussing how astronomers determined that the Sun is a member of one of many million galaxies that compose our Universe.
We are excited to feature discussion of this publication this year especially in light of the recent Nobel Prize in Physics being given to Perlmutter, Schmidt, and Riess for the discovery of the accelerating expansion of the Universe. The workshop will begin with a discussion of our featured selection and an opportunity to “live the book” by analyzing Henrietta’s stars as she did. The afternoon will feature activities on galaxies, variable star observing and analysis using Skynet (UNC), and the use of supernovae to measure distances to galaxies.
Cost for workshop is $25.00 and registration is suggested. Registration includes CPDU's.
Click here for event agenda and registration.
Click here to complete the post-workshop survey.
Read all about this event here.
There will be NO public star party this month.
2012 February: Citizen Science
Saturday, February 25, 2012 - Teacher WorkshopWorkshop will be held at Yerkes Observatory from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.
Citizen Scientists - Who are they? What do they do? How do they contribute to the scientific community? Can I join them?
Learn how you and your students can participate in different citizen scientist programs such as GalaxyZoo, MoonZoo, and other programs.
Cost for workshop is $25.00 and registration is suggested. Registration includes CPDUs, lunch, and evening star party.
Click here for event agenda and registration.
Click here to complete the post-workshop survey.
Read all about this event here.
Saturday night, February 25 - Public Star Party Outdoor Observing 5:00 - 7:00 pmPublic Star Party Event held at Yerkes Observatory, at 373 W. Geneva Street, Williams Bay, Wisconsin.
Come observe the night sky, with backyard telescopes and activities designed for school age children accompanied by a parent or teacher.
Cost for public star party is $5.00 per teacher/adult, $15.00 for families.
For more details and registration information, click here
2012 March: Building STEM in Your Classroom
Saturday, March 17, 2012 - Teacher Workshop - Bring a Friend!Workshop will be held at Yerkes Observatory from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.Looking for ways to build interest in STEM in your classroom? Join us for a hands-on workshop where we build devices for you to share with your students, and spark the excitement for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Materials from NASA will be highlighted, and a transit watching device for the transit of Venus on sunset June 5, 2012 will be built. Bring a friend, and the two of you will pay only one registration fee! A materials fee for each teacher will be charged for equipment that you take home.
Cost for workshop is $25.00 and registration is suggested. Registration includes CPDU's and lunch.
Click here for event agenda and registration.
Click here to complete the post-workshop survey.
Read all about this event here.
Saturday night, March 17 - Public Star Party Outdoor Observing 7:00 - 9:00 pmPublic Star Party Event held at Yerkes Observatory, at 373 W. Geneva Street, Williams Bay, Wisconsin.
Come observe the night sky, with backyard telescopes and activities designed for school age children accompanied by a parent or teacher.
Cost for public star party is $5.00 per teacher/adult, $15.00 for families.
For more details and registration information, click here.
2012 April: Constellation Photography and Variable Stars Workshop
Friday night, April 20 - Public Star Party Outdoor Observing 7:30 - 10:00 pm Please Note this event is on Friday evening before the workshop.
Public Star Party Event held at Yerkes Observatory, at 373 W. Geneva Street, Williams Bay, Wisconsin.
Come observe the night sky, with backyard telescopes and activities designed for school age children accompanied by a parent or teacher. Special addition to this evening's party: the use of digital cameras to photograph constellations.
Cost for public star party is $5.00 per teacher/adult, $15.00 for families.
For more details and registration information, click here.
2012 April: Constellation Photography and Variable Stars Workshop
Saturday, April 21, 2012 - Teacher WorkshopWorkshop will be held at Yerkes Observatory from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.
We invite you to join us in exploring the very visible universe. The planets Mars and Saturn will be perfectly situated for our observing pleasure. The summer constellations will be greeting us in the east as we say goodbye to our winter friends in the west.
Workshop agenda includes learning how to teach your students how to use their digital cameras to photograph the constellations; use your digital camera to record the motion of Mars and Saturn through the zodiac; use Astrometry.net to identify your and your students’ beautiful images of the sky; engage in hands-on activities related to constellation photography; learn how to change photographic slides to digital images; find geostationary Earth-orbiting satellites and engage your students in projects based on this; learn basics of variable stars, observing them and making light curves with Skynet’s Afterglow.
Cost for workshop is $25.00 and registration is suggested. Registration includes CPDU's and lunch.
Click here for event agenda and registration.
Click here to complete the post-workshop survey.
Read all about this event here.
There will be no workshop in May.
This information is also posted on the Yerkes Observatory site. Click here to view.
You can also view our Stars at Yerkes Calendar here
