Past Workshops 2012-2013

Our Stars at Yerkes teachers have planned a year of exciting and interesting workshops for teachers and informal educators who want to learn more about astronomy and the exploration of space. Registration for these workshops will be available online as the event approaches. Please visit the Workshop Archive to view past events.Here is our 2012 - 2013 calendar of events and dates:(You can also view our Stars at Yerkes Calendar here or click here for a copy of our 2012 - 2013 brochure.)

2012 September: Sneak Peek at 2012-13 Yerkes Teacher Workshops for Teachers, Administrators, and Friends

Saturday, September 8, 2012 - Teacher Workshop Preview

Workshop will be held at Yerkes Observatory from 2:30 am to 9:00 pm.

Using Authentic Data + Doing Authentic Research = STEM in the ClassroomPlease join us for a relaxing afternoon and evening at historic Yerkes Observatory to learn how Yerkes Outreach Educators have incorporated STEM into their classrooms. An overview of some of the authentic science experiences you can bring to your classroom by attending workshops will be presented by Stars at Yerkes Outreach Educators. In the evening, we invite you to bring that old telescope that's been lurking in the attic, and we'll help you set it up and train it on Mars!CPDUs available - Light Dinner Provided - $10 Fee

Click here for event agenda and registration. Click here to complete the post-workshop survey.Read all about this event here.

2012 September: Teacher Lunacy IV: Moon Gazers and International Observe the Moon Night

Saturday, September 22, 2012 - Teacher Workshop

Workshop will be held at Yerkes Observatory from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.

The Stars at Yerkes Lunacy IV Workshop will focus on turning your students into Moon Gazers. You will learn how to engage students to explore the solar system’s basic geological processes using the Internet award-winning video game "Selene". Learn about "MoonWorld " and show students how to help scientists map the moon using the "Moon Mappers" Project. The workshop will provide an opportunity for international collaboration using the iCollaboratory’s “Moon Over Us” project. Hear about some newly developed materials associated with Gerard P. Kuiper’s Moon Hemisphere, an artifact from the 1950's that was used to map the Moon's surface. Learn about crater counting and how to take lunar images using MoonKAM. “Lunacy IV: Moon Gazers” is a special day for teacher training at Yerkes Observatory, and is part of the “International Observe the Moon Night” Project. Stay after dinner for the Public Observing Night Moon Party, as we share the skies and observe the Moon using a variety of techniques and telescopes. Don't miss this day to better learn more about our neighbor the Moon! In the evening, join us for the 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 CPDUs 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, September 22, 2012 - International Observe the Moon Night (IOMN) 7:30 - 9:30 pm

Public Star Party Event - Join us at the Lions Field House, clear or cloudy, on September 22, 7:30-9:30 pm, as we celebrate our celestial neighbor for International Observe the Moon Night (observethemoonnight.org), co-sponsored by the Williams Bay Rec Department and Yerkes Observatory Educators. Click here for a preview of what's up in the night sky this month.

Observing with telescopes and indoor activities will be held at the:

Lions Field House

310 Elkhorn Road

Williams Bay, WI 53191

Charge for this event is $5/person or $15/family.

Come observe the Moon, with activities designed for school age children accompanied by a parent or teacher.

For more details and registration information, click here.

2012 October: Radio Astronomy and Pulsars

Saturday, October 20, 2012 - Teacher Workshop

Workshop will be held at Yerkes Observatory from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Interested in Radio Astronomy, but unsure about Pulsar Search Collaboratory West training?

Come to Yerkes Observatory to learn how radio astronomers study the invisible universe. Hear the story behind radio astronomy and the 100 meter Green Bank Radio telescope. Learn to analyze radio data to discover pulsars. Workshop activities include: a talk by a radio astronomer about the importance of pulsar research; exploring the sky for radio sources with the 20-meter radio telescope in Green Bank, WV using Skynet; Touch the Invisible Sky, A Multi-Wavelength Braille Book featuring Tactile NASA Images, by Noreen Grice, Simon Steel and Doris Daou; and using the Itty Bitty Radio Telescope at Yerkes. This will be an introduction to Radio Astronomy with an emphasis on discovering pulsars. Opportunities to have access to data you students can use to find more pulsars will be shared.Cost for the workshop is $25.00 and registration is suggested. Registration includes CPDUs and lunch.Click here for event agenda and registration.

This workshop is part of a detailed pulsar workshop weekend presented by staff of the Green Bank Radio Telescope in West Virginia. Details about that training are found here.

Click here to complete the post-workshop survey.

Read all about this event here.

Saturday night, October 20, 2012 - Public Star Party Outdoor Observing 7:00 - 9:00 pm

Public Star Party Event held at Yerkes Observatory, at 373 W. Geneva Street, Williams Bay, Wisconsin.Register for our Public Star Party on October 20th from 7:00 - 9:00 pm. Learn the fall constellations and see many deep sky objects through telescopes. 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.

Cost for public star party is $5.00 per teacher/adult, $15.00 for families.

For more details and registration information, click here

2012 November: Teaching with Telescopes - Using the Galileoscope in your Classroom and Beyond

Saturday, November 17, 2012 - Teacher Workshop

Workshop will be held at Yerkes Observatory from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.

We invite you to join “MESTA on the Road” for a journey of discovery using the Galileoscope. Teachers from the Michigan Earth Science Teachers Association will lead you in activities that explore optics, the history of telescopes, our Moon, and solar astronomy. The aim of this workshop is to provide you with the tools to do more astronomy with your students. Please bring a camera tripod with you to the workshop, as well as a laptop computer.Four (that's right, FOUR!) free Galileoscope telescopes (one will be built during the workshop) will be given to teachers if they join NESTA. A one-year online membership only costs $20. https://www.nestanet.org/cms/content/join/duesAll workshop participants will also receive a copy of The Center for Science Education's (UC Berkeley) new Cosmic Serpent book! Just added: all workshop participants will receive a Miller Planisphere!

Cost for the workshop is $25.00 and registration is suggested. Registration includes CPDUs 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, November 17, 2012 - 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 Public Star Party on November 17th from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. Learn the late fall constellations, and catch the slim waxing crescent Moon. View many other objects through telescopes, and learn from our volunteer astronomers. 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. 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.

2012 December: Observational Astronomy Student and Teacher Convocation

Saturday, December 1, 2012 - Teacher Workshop

Workshop will be held at Yerkes Observatory from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm with Star Party observing from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.

At this special session on for Stars At Yerkes, high school students are invited to experience life as an astronomer. While visiting the historic observatory, observing techniques will be the focus of our discussions. Students will have hands-on experience with telescopes, will meet with an astronomer, and be given a tour of the observatory. Students with research projects in astronomy are invited to present their work with the other students. (We will be capping the attendance at 35 students.) In the evening, students will apply what they learned as they experience the dark skies at Yerkes Observatory. Students must attend the session with a chaperone (either a teacher or a parent.) Students are also recommended to come with an observing plan (specific stars and constellations.) Students may also bring their own telescopes for use during the evening session. (There will be no cap to evening attendance.) Afternoon session begins at 2pm and ends at 5pm. Observing will begin at 6pm as dinner ends. The event concludes at 8pm. Cost $15 (includes pizza dinner and both the afternoon and evening session) $5 if only attending the evening observing session. This cost is per student. Chaperones (one per school) are free. Register below no later than Friday, November 23, 2012.

Click here for event agenda and registration.

Click here to complete the post-workshop survey.

Read all about this event here

Saturday night, December 1, 2012 - 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 Public Star Party on December 1st from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. Greet the winter constellations before the waning gibbous Moon rises. View Jupiter's moons and many other objects through telescopes, and learn from our volunteer astronomers. 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.

2013 January: Train Like an Astronaut and Connect with Ham Radio

Saturday, January 19, 2013 - Teacher Workshop

Workshop will be held at Yerkes Observatory from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to fly in space and train like an astronaut? Join us for an active Stars at Yerkes session where we explore the challenges and benefits of human spaceflight in weightlessness. This workshop is designed for all grade levels, and will examine life support systems, human physiology, and analogs your students can compare as they "train like an astronaut." Information also will be shared about how you and your students can connect with the International Space Station with Ham Radio with the ARISS program. Cost for the workshop is $25.00 and registration is suggested. Registration includes CPDUs 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 January public star party.

2013 February: Dawn of the North: Space Weather, the Sun, and the Aurora

Saturday, February 23, 2013 - Teacher Workshop

Workshop will be held at Yerkes Observatory from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.

There is a strong connection between the Sun, Earth, and the Aurora. This workshop will look at the aurora and explain how they are formed due to the processes that occur on the sun. This will also be a good time to take a look at the sun, its layers, and the spacecraft that observe the sun and are used to predict space weather. Participants will also learn about the space weather predictors used by scientists and what websites they can go to for aurora prediction. An aurora demonstration will also be provided.Cost for the workshop is $25.00 and registration is suggested. Registration includes CPDUs 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, February 23, 2013 - 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.

Come observe the night sky, with backyard telescopes and activities designed for school age children accompanied by a parent or teacher.

View the waxing gibbous Moon and Jupiter and its moons. View many other objects through telescopes, and learn from our volunteer astronomers. 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. 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.

2013 March: Stars at Yerkes Book Club Discussion

Saturday, March 16, 2013 - Teacher Workshop

Workshop will be held at Yerkes Observatory from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.

This workshop will focus on a book selection made by teachers from Stars at Yerkes. Join us in the Yerkes library for a relaxing and fun discussion along with sessions related to the topic.

Update: Book selection has been made!!!

We will be examining the red planet of Mars through the lens of Mary Roach's book Packing for Mars. How will humans get to Mars? What will they find when they get there? What do we know about Mars already? These and other topics will be discussed "by the fire" at Yerkes in March. We hope you will join us!

Cost for workshop is $25.00 and registration is suggested. Registration includes CPDUs 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 16, 2013 - 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. The waxing crescent Moon along with Jupiter and its moons should be great observing targets. View the constellations of the springtime sky, and learn from our volunteer astronomers.

This star party will happen if skies are clear or cloudy. There will be indoor activities if the sky is cloudy.

Cost for public star party is $5.00 per teacher/adult, $15.00 for families.

For more details and registration information, click here.

2013 April: Zooniverse in the Classroom

- New Tools for Awakening the Citizen Scientist in Your School

Saturday, April 27, 2013 - Teacher Workshop

Workshop will be held at Yerkes Observatory from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.

In the past ten years there has been an explosion of internet-based citizen science research in astronomy. Hundreds of thousands of people have contributed to scientific research through the Zooinverse projects. Participants in Galaxy Zoo, Hubble Zoo, Merger Zoo and more have been so active that the educators and scientists needed to develop new ways for participants to explore beyond the focus of any one project. The result ia a whole host of new web-based tools designed to assist citizen scientists in exploring vast quantities of astronomical data on their own. Many of these tools are also being linked to student lessons on the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Database website, SkyServer.

This workshop will provide educators with an overview of the Zooniverse and explore how new interactive tools are being used to allow students to discover for themselves the structure, laws and beauty of the cosmos.

Cost for workshop is $25.00 and registration is suggested. Registration includes CPDUs 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, April 27, 2013 - Public Star Party Outdoor Observing 8:00 - 10:00 pm 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. View the setting Jupiter in the twilight, and see Saturn rising around 8 pm. View the constellations of the springtime sky, and learn from our volunteer astronomers. The waning gibbous Moon will not rise until 10:30 pm, so skies should be dark. This star party will happen if skies are clear or cloudy. There will be indoor activities if the sky is cloudy.

Cost for public star party is $5.00 per teacher/adult, $15.00 for families.

For more details and registration information, click 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

Stars at Yerkes teachers are part of a professional learning community organized to provide STEM workshops, leadership training and mentoring for K - 12 educators at Yerkes Observatory and other amazing places. Join the teachers of Stars at Yerkes as you continue your own professional development!

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