Astronomy Camp for Educators
In 2006, we will offer our eighth Astronomy Camp for Educators, June 29 to July 3, 2006. Participants will experience the life of an astronomer, spending four nights using 40", 60", and 61" telescopes equipped with photographic and CCD cameras, spectrographs, and other instruments to study the celestial objects of their choice. There will also be plenty of plain stargazing and informal opportunities to interact with professional astronomers.
Other activities will include: Lectures by professional astronomers, a planetarium orientation, a tour of the University's large Mirror Lab and other facilities, "bull sessions", volleyball and hiking, and a "swap meet" for astronomy teaching ideas and materials. Teachers at all levels are encouraged to apply. No prior knowledge of astronomy is necessary.
As part of a group of up to 20 educators, you will interact informally with professional astronomers, live in astronomers' dorms, and personally explore the heavens with research telescopes not only from Mt. Lemmon with its 40"/60" telescopes equipped for visual, photographic, and spectroscopic observations, but also, on one night, from nearby Mt. Bigelow with the 61" Kuiper telescope. You will be assisted, as needed, by University astronomers and experienced, high school educators. This staff will be available full-time to discuss modern topics and discoveries ranging from the solar system to cosmology and the space program.
Astronomy Camps emphasize "learning by doing." By providing personal control of modern research telescopes and instruments, the Camps communicate the excitement of research and the relevance of seemingly diverse fields such as physics, engineering (optics, mechanical, electronic, computer, etc.), geology, mathematics, etc. As a participant, you will experience the process of scientific discovery first-hand and accumulate many new educational ideas and materials for your students.
The setting is atop Mt. Bigelow (8235 feet) and Mt. Lemmon (9150 feet) in the colorful and diverse environment of the Santa Catalina Mountains north of Tucson. Despite the summer desert environment, daily temperatures at the observatory will be comfortable, ranging from 50-85 °F. Windy conditions are possible. Because of the high altitude and long night observing sessions, the Camp can be physically challenging. Anyone suffering from respiratory problems, arthritis, or any condition that limits physical mobility and endurance should probably not participate.
Tuition for this camp is $550 for 3 nights. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee clear nights for observing. Our camps are scheduled, based on historical weather patterns, to take advantage of Arizona's usually clear skies; only one of 30 previous camps has been completely cloudy. If weather conditions prevent observing, many substitute activities are planned such as image processing of visible and infrared images obtained recently by the hosting astronomers and a wide variety of educational activities, labs, and construction projects. There will be no refunds due to weather conditions.
Register for the next Educator's Camp to be held June 29 - July 3, 2006.
Back to the Astronomy Camp Home Page.
Last modified: Thursday Dec. 8, 2005