annee25012 — Announcement

Upcoming Events

31 January 2025

Professional Development Opportunities

7 February, What Supernovae Reveal about the Universe

Time: 3:15 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. CST

Location: Space Center Houston, Houston, TX

Description: This workshop is part of the Space Exploration Educators Conference (SEEC). Attendance may be in person or virtual. Use authentic data to learn how to classify supernovae based on changes in their brightness, and then fit light curves to data to determine the distance to their host galaxies.

27 February, Coloring the Universe with AMTA and Rubin Observatory

Time: 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. MST

Location: Virtual 

Description: This is an online workshop hosted by the American Modeling Teachers Association.

Vera C. Rubin Observatory has developed a suite of free, classroom-ready investigations (with support materials, such as phenomena and assessments) that use authentic data to explore common astronomy topics. These may be integrated into American Modeling Teachers Association (AMTA) Astronomy Modeling units to provide multiple opportunities for deep dives into making sense of data. In this session, you will explore Coloring the Universe, in which students learn how to apply filters and colors to stars and galaxies to create data visualizations that communicate information about the stars’ temperatures, formation and galaxy distances.

1 March, Lights, Data, Action! A Sensemaking Approach to Inquiry

Time: 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 

Location: NSF Kitt Peak National Observatory 

Join the Arizona Science Teachers Association (ASTA) for an exciting professional development workshop at NSF Kitt Peak National Observatory, where you will learn about supporting student sensemaking using Science and Engineering Practices and tour a cutting-edge observatory. During this hands-on experience you’ll deepen your understanding of how real-world scientific inquiry unfolds, offering a unique opportunity to connect classroom learning with the wonders of the Universe. 

Grade Focus: Grades K–12 

Cost: $35 ASTA members, $50 non-ASTA members

Register: https://azsta.org/events/lights-data-action-a-sensemaking-approach-to-inquiry/ 

Community Events

Hawai‘i

1 February, ʻOhana Stargazing

Location: Liliʻuokalani Gardens, Hilo, HI

Time: 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. HST

Description: We will be co-hosting an ʻOhana Stargazing event with ʻOhana Kilo Hōkū at the Liliʻuokalani Gardens in Hilo from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. There will be telescope viewing, stargazing, and Native Hawaiian star stories. No RSVP needed, please come and enjoy this free event if you can.

6 February, Hilo Town Tavern

Location: Hilo Town Tavern, Hilo, HI

Time: 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. HST

Description: Join us at the Hilo Town Tavern for a special Journey Through the Universe edition of Astronomy on Tap from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Our guest speakers will share some of what they are teaching our local students in the classrooms as well as an interactive demonstration. No RSVP needed, please come and enjoy this free event if you can.

Arizona

1 February 2025, Tohono O’odham Rodeo

Location: Eugene P. Tashquinth Sr. Livestock Complex, Sells, AZ

Time: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. MST

Description: Join NOIRLab as we celebrate the 86th Annual Tohono O’odham Nation Rodeo and Fair. Please visit the event website for more information.

Chile

21 February 2025, Feria del Libro de Ovalle

Location: Museo del Limarí, Ovalle, Chile

Time: 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. CLST

Description: Join us in a stargazing event that will take place as part of the activities for the Feria del Libro de Ovalle! 

Visit Us!

We welcome you to visit NSF NOIRLab’s state-of-the-art facilities in the U.S. and Chile to explore firsthand the locations of modern astronomical discovery. We offer regularly scheduled tours of both our summit and base locations for public visits. Whether touring the powerful telescopes or learning about the latest discoveries at our base facilities, NOIRLab offers an unforgettable experience to anyone curious about the cosmos! Book your tour today or learn more here. All visits are free, except to Kitt Peak. 

NSF Kitt Peak National Observatory also offers field trips for students and professional development for teachers, providing these groups with the opportunity to engage with our innovative programs and explore the groundbreaking science and engineering of a national observatory. 

Can’t make it to one of our facilities? Check out our virtual tours!