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Jun 10
2015

Asteroid Day - June 30, 2015

What is it? Asteroid Day is a international awareness movement where people learn about asteroids and what we can do to protect our planet and future generations. Asteroid Day will be held on the anniversary of the 1908 Siberian Tunguska event, the largest asteroid impact on Earth in recent history. On June 30, why not plan to go out and try to see asteroid Pallas or Ceres as they will be visible from now through to event day and share your experience with friends, family or your local club. If you see an asteroid or are planning on an Asteroid...

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Jul 27
2015

Sharing Resources, Science News, and a Love for Astronomy

At the end of the week we are very tired – with 7 school visits – off road travel – and long days. But the sense of accomplishment and solidarity with schools, students and teachers makes it all worthwhile. We trust you will enjoy thee photos. This is the entire science lab at Uraki Secondary School chemistry, biology, physics. The box measures 16x20 inches and is 8 inches deep. The government of Tanzania is requiring all schools to have three laboratories....physics, biology and chemistry. Here at Uraki labs are being constructed as required. Students from Lakitatu Secondary School test food... Read More...

Jul 24
2015

Telescopes to Tanzania - School Visits

As we move about the Meru/Usa River region during our third week in Tanzania we'll be making visits to 7 schools in the area. They include: Ngongongare, Ailanga, Lakitatu, Uraki, Kikatiti, and Nkoaranga Seconday Schools plus the English Medium School at Makramira. We'll be visiting 6 of the 24 secondary schools where Science Centre Ambassadors are helping to establish Science Clubs. As we meet with students and their teacher advisors we'll be talking about the New Horizons mission to Pluto. This often gives us an opportunity to discuss the solar system, our Milkyway Galaxy and beyond with each group. Using... Read More...

Jul 18
2015

Telescopes to Tanzania - Day 4

Each day during the 4 day workshop offered by Telescopes to Tanzania, we asked a different question. What do we know? What do we want to know? How do we find out? And on the last day, What did we learn? Responses to the last question included: How to use effective teaching aids. Teaching and learning is a two way traffic pattern between student and teacher. Interact with other teachers. I learned about Pluto. THINK OUTSIDE OF THE BOX. What did we at Telescopes to Tanzania learn? Open a door for teachers and creativity, learning, interaction, ideas, and visions will... Read More...

Jul 18
2015

Telescopes to Tanzania Update - Day 3

In the back of the classroom we have put a poster on the wall that reads: “Even Einstein asked questions.” Today we asked: What is light pollution? How could it affect the economy of Tanzania? What resources are available on-line for your classroom to use? Using new computer skills and the on-line education materials from the Cosmic Light Kit teachers explored ways to create lessons for their students to join the year of light science community. After a lunch of banana stew teachers spent the rest of the day learning to use telescopes provided by Telescopes to Tanzania. -Teachers working... Read More...

Jul 18
2015

Telescopes to Tanzania Update - Day 2

Usa River, Tanzania: Chuck and Sue Ruehle with Tanzanian colleague Mponda Malazo lead the 2015 science ambassador training. Today, the 16 teachers from 10 schools began to work on building hands-on curriculum based lesson plans. Many using computers for the first time learned about Dawn and New Horizons and began to want information on comets, meteors, asteroids, and the whole solar system. Pluto has become an important focus of conversations! Picture: Thomas Mbise a Centre for Science board member encourages teachers in their research and planning Read More...

Jul 14
2015

Telescopes to Tanzania Update - Sue's Workshop

First Day of the Centre for Science Ambassador Training. 18 teachers gather to learn how astronomy is the gateway to the sciences. Today we participated in Pluto flyby activities and researched various topics. Sue Ruehle led a discussion on "How do you learn?” Read More...

Jul 14
2015

Telescopes to Tanzania Update - July 12

Group Photo: Board members of the Centre for Science visit with Ngongongare Village Chairman to look at the site for the Centre Observatory. Telescopes to Tanzania founders Sue and Chuck Ruehle have arrived safely in Tanzania. They met with the Board of the Centre for Science …and proceeded to visit the site which has been selected for the construction of the observatory. The Village Chair of Ngongongare has made the land available for the Centre. After the visit the land transfer work began. While they are in Tanzania further details for construction of the observatory will be finalized. Land Photo:... Read More...

Jul 01
2015

AstroPoetry Contest 2015 Winners Announced

This year's GAM Astropoetry contest attracted a total of 339 poems, more than any other of our contests in the four year history! They were from around the world, from Brazil, India, Indonesia, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, and USA. Our younger poets were from mostly from India. So many entries were well crafted and thoughtful that it was very difficult to choose our 18 winners. Here's the quick list: Children's Category : First Place - Isabelle Byren, 
Stockholm, Sweden for " The Moon " Second Place - Emilia Russell Blom
, Stockholm, Sweden for " Stars " Third Place -... Read More...

Jun 26
2015

Heading Back to Tanzania - Telescopes in Hand

Telescopes to Tanzania is packing. Clothes and personal items get squished between the important stuff. Generous donors have made it possible for us to take 5 more telescopes, at least 4 microscopes, light benches, lenses, prisms, maps, spectroscopes, a few books, sky maps, and whatever we can squeeze into 6 suitcases weighing up to 50 pounds each!! Sue Packing gear : Sue packs a suitcase with science equipment for the Centre for Science Education as the Ruehle's prepare for another month of teaching in Tanzania. In just 2 weeks, 14 teachers will gather in Usa River Tanzania to begin to... Read More...

Jun 19
2015

A Dream Come True

The Centre for Science Education and Observatory in East Africa is a dream that has turned into a reality for educators, students, parents, and institutions throughout Tanzania. With immense challenges to education of the country's youth, particularly in critical areas of science and technology, the Centre is providing training for teachers, hands-on laboratories for students, and resources that promises to have a long-lasting impact nationwide. The Centre for Science Education and Observatory in East Africa has organizational and governmental partners to help it move forward, and is expected to be a project that will also be a model for other... Read More...

Jun 18
2015

Dream Come True

The Centre for Science Education and Observatory in East Africa is a dream that has turned into a reality for educators, students, parents, and institutions throughout Tanzania. With immense challenges to education of the country's youth, particularly in critical areas of science and technology, the Centre is providing training for teachers, hands-on laboratories for students, and resources that promises to have a long-lasting impact nationwide. The Centre for Science Education and Observatory in East Africa has organizational and governmental partners to help it move forward, and is expected to be a project that will also be a model for other... Read More...

Jun 18
2015

Telescopes to Tanzania Update from Sue Ruehle

May 28, 2015 Science Education is on the move in Tanzania. In the last two months, 14 Schools have welcomed the Science Ambassadors of the Centre for Science Education and about 1000 students have had a brief introduction to astronomy. Just this week, the Centre has received 3 computers and modems along with a printer and supplies to begin to take distance learning to rural areas around Mt. Meru Tanzania. A small grant from the Office of Astronomical Development and many contributions from individuals have made this work possible This week the work of the Ambassadors and the story of... Read More...

Jun 18
2015

Report from Tanzania - Laptops

Here's the news from Tanzania: It was good Day when we receive equipment for Astor –science ambassador auto reach we received the following: 4 modems, 4 laptops and one printer. Mr Nassary, project coodinator, together with Mr Mwakalapa and Mr Mbise Mwakalapa first from right Mr Miley at the midlle Mr Makapala the left first Mr Mbise. The activity for installation of laptop. Taking place on behalf of the center for science Mr Mbise. Thanks donors for donating equipment which we be owned and monitored by science center on Monday we are going to distribute it to ambassadors group. And... Read More...

Jun 10
2015

AWB Helping NASo for Nepal

NASO's (Nepal Astronomy Society) crowdfunding campaign "Let's Build Schools for Kids in Nepal" is closing June 13. There's only a few days left. NASO continues to fund raise for ever important schools in the earthquake-stricken district of Sindhupalchok, Nepal. Teaching science through astronomy is a goal that Astronomers Without Borders is proud to support and with NASO's crowdfunding effort, we can now directly affect the children of this country. Please visit the NASo Indigogo campaign page and give or join AWB in helping spread the word. Read More...

Jun 10
2015

Asteroid Day - June 30, 2015

What is it? Asteroid Day is a international awareness movement where people learn about asteroids and what we can do to protect our planet and future generations. Asteroid Day will be held on the anniversary of the 1908 Siberian Tunguska event, the largest asteroid impact on Earth in recent history. On June 30, why not plan to go out and try to see asteroid Pallas or Ceres as they will be visible from now through to event day and share your experience with friends, family or your local club. If you see an asteroid or are planning on an Asteroid... Read More...

Jun 03
2015

AstroArtist of the Month - Danielle Futselaar

Danielle Fuselaar was inspired by SETI and the movie Contact to create poster artwork for the SETIcon 2012. As a result, Danielle has create works of asteroids for Franck Marchis, Senior Planetary Astronomer at the SETI Institute. She then went on to illustrate the planets Kepler 186 and Kepler 186. Check out her work in the first in her series of posts at our AstroArtist blog . Read More...

Jun 03
2015

SOFIA Hosts Mike

Tuesday, June 2, our president Mike Simmons will be onboard the SOFIA observatory. The SOFIA or Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy is a converted Boeing 747SP and was originally acquired by Pan American World Airways for NASA and is packed with equipment like cameras, spectrometers, and photometers. On this trip Mike will be watching and reporting on current projects like star birth and death, planets, comets and asteroids in our solar system and black holes at the center of galaxies! Follow him during this 10 hour journey into the depth of space all from the hull of an airplane flying... Read More...

Apr 30
2015

AWB @ NEAF

Our president, Mike Simmons represented Astronomers Without Borders at NEAF this year held in New York. He manned our booth and spread the word about our international outreach. Here's his report: "The Northeast Astronomy Forum (NEAF), was held in northern New York, and was the highlight of the year for the astronomy industry. The big companies display their wares alongside small vendors that serve every niche in the hobby of astronomy. AWB was there once again with a booth and the AWB OneSky telescope on display, and more, thanks to Planewave Instruments who is generously shipping materials and equipment for... Read More...

Apr 30
2015

Mike In Brazil

Our president, Mike Simmons visited friends in Brazil during GAM 2015 representing Astronomers Without Borders. Here's a report of his trip. "It was a pleasure to attend the International Meeting of Astronomy and Astronautics in Campos dos Goytacezes, Brazil this April after a three-year absence. As always, Marcelo Souza organized a great program attended by mostly students in the small city, with the help of eager young volunteers. There were several other international guests including Patrick Miller of the International Astronomical Search Campaign (IASC), the indefatigable Stephen Ramsden of the pioneering outreach organization Charlie Bates Solar Astronomy Project, Pedro Re... Read More...

Apr 29
2015

Melanie King - Largest Ever Cyanotype

This week Melanie King features her work with cyanotype, when the paper is exposed to ultraviolet light (usually from the Sun), a chemical reaction takes place resulting in an insoluble blue dye know as "prussian blue". Using the same technique, she created the largest cyanotype measuring 10 x 6 metres! The aim of Melanie's artwork "intends to remind the viewer of the interconnectedness between the individual and the universe as a whole". Explore her work at our AstroArtist Blog . Read More...