The San Diego Space Society works toward creating a spacefaring civilization within our lifetimes by raising awareness and educating the general public to the benefits of space exploration and San Diego's role in it. More about us…

  1. hands-on learning
  2. lunar rover driver
  3. Apollo IX Command Module "Gumdrop"
 
 

Astronomy and Space Enthusiasts: Project ASTRO Needs You!

UPDATE: The application deadline has been extended to August 10th.

Be a visiting astronomer in a San Diego County school – Project ASTRO will provide you with free training, materials, and a rewarding way to help our local schoolchildren and teachers. If you are a professional, student, or amateur astronomer or space scientist, we need you!

Project ASTRO is a program of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP) to create partnerships between 3rd-9th grade teachers and local astronomers and space scientists. If you have ever wondered how you can best share your enthusiasm for space and astronomy, AND help your local schools improve their science education, then Project ASTRO is for you.

This is a great opportunity to help kids learn science “hands-on”, as well as work with a dedicated teacher who desperately needs your knowledge of basic astronomy and space science in the classroom.  With a minimum commitment of one training workshop (the next is Saturday, August 16, 2008) and only 4 classroom visits during the school year, you can make a BIG difference in the education of our next generation of scientists and explorers. And you’ll have FUN – with the most inquisitive and appreciative audience you can find. Project ASTRO provides all the training and educational materials (a 1000-page activity guide) that you’ll need.

For more information, and an application form so that we can match you with a nearby school, please contact the local coordinators for Project ASTRO: Dr. Philip Blanco (pblanco AT sciences.sdsu.edu), or Dr. Ron Angione (angione AT sciences.sdsu.edu) at 594-6183, or visit the San Diego Project ASTRO website where you will find further details for volunteers and an FAQ list. Please apply before August 10, 2008 in time for the workshop.

Jr. Explorers Movie and Picnic Launch

Join us on Sunday, July 20th for a movie and picnic launch!

We’ve been given free passes to an advance screening of Fly Me To The Moon, an animated IMAX 3D film about Apollo 11 told from the perspective of a fly on the wall. (Literally.)

What: Fly Me To The Moon screening
When: Sunday, July 20th at 10:00 AM
Where: Edwards IMAX Mira Mesa

Email events@sdspace.org if you’d like to attend, and I’ll send you details on where and when we’ll meet.

After the movie, join us for our first Junior Explorers event, a picnic launch! We’re celebrating the 39th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing. Bring your own picnic lunch and blanket; we’ll provide a launch pad and help you turn a soda bottle into an awesome water rocket.

What: Jr. Explorers Picnic and Water Rocket Launch
When: Sunday, July 20th at 1:00 PM
Where: Mira Mesa Community Park (map and directions)

Stop by to see Phil Blanco’s famous M&M tube rockets, plus other rocketry demonstrations. Fabulous Prizes will be awarded for excellence in rocketry. Email events@sdspace.org if you have any questions, or if you have empty 2-liter soda bottles to donate to the event.

Hope to see you there!