April 04, 2024
Girl Power (Grades 6-8): Journey to the Sun - Discover Its Power and Prepare for Its Eclipse
Kopernik Observatory & Science Center • 698 Underwood Rd Vestal, NY 13850 Organized by Kopernik Observatory and Science Center
This event has ended.
About this event
Sun Power and Girl Power…sounds like quite a combination! Participants in this program will spend the day working with girls in their own age groups to explore our star, the Sun. The morning will focus on learning about the power of the sun and the effect of solar winds. Solar winds can cause the auroras that appear in the night sky. Use your artistic skills to create some Aurora Art. The latest interesting research from NASA includes the satellite, Parker Solar Probe, which is currently orbiting closer to the sun than any craft ever has. Learn how Parker Solar Probe is flying into the sun! Then, build your own Parker Solar Probe model. As with every Girl Power program, the girls will be introduced to a female NASA role model, Stephanie Mauro. Ms. Mauro is a Thermal Analyst/Acting Thermal Team Lead within the Exploration Systems Development directorate at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in Huntsville, AL. Ms. Mauro will Zoom with the girls to discuss her personal experiences, share career information, and have a Q&A session. In her position, Ms. Mauro helps design the thermal control systems to ensure the hardware will perform within the required temperature limits while operating in space. Interestingly, the Parker Solar Probe requires a thermal control system as it flies so close to the sun. In the afternoon girls will work in small groups to discover what causes a solar eclipse and build models to demonstrate. The upcoming total solar eclipse on April 8th will be discussed and ways in which to watch it safely. Each participant will create their own pinhole projector to take home and use on April 8. They will also receive a free pair of certified safety eclipse viewing glasses.