Cincinnati Observatory Center's 40 Galileos Starry Messenger Project

CASPER

THE FRIENDLY GHOST
In honor of the International Year of Astronomy, The Cincinnati Observatory Center (COC) sponsored a contest to give away forty 8-inch Dobsonian telescopes to individuals and groups who will further astronomy education in the region. The 40 winners — selected from 145 applicants — were teachers, informal educators, students, and non-astronomers.

The transformation from normal to "Galileo-like" was not easy. They had to attend two classes presented by COC staff members and conduct two star parties with loaner scopes. But all 40 winners completed their requirements and are poised for graduation. In fact, participants have attended optional classes on using Starry Night, public viewings at the COC, and construction parties (I couldn't put all 40 telescopes together by myself!). One winner created a web site to coordinate group star parties as well as share information and experiences. Several have even gotten media coverage for their events. As their 3-month training comes to a close, the 40 Galileos have delivered 120 programs and reached over 5,000 people - most of whom had never seen through a telescope before.

This passion for the program is infectious. Terry Haynes-Tony, who teaches art at a local elementary school, embodies the transformation this program has engendered. She regrets getting into the field so late.

"I just had to apply to share this opportunity with the community in which I work," she says.

Beyond star parties, her ultimate goal is to start an Art in Astronomy Club at her school, and she's off to a great start. Haynes-Tony has logged 12 events through the program, including a solar extravaganza with her entire school, star parties, and every COC special event.

"I think the biggest surprise of all is how a simple tube with mirrors and lenses can attract complete strangers, create meaningful conversations and bond individuals," says Haynes-Tony.

Chad Husting, a high school science teacher, relishes his new role in the community as a "Galileo."

"I was stopped in the library a couple weeks after I did a sidewalk astronomy program there," Husting says. "A 5-year-old girl came up to me and said, 'Hey, aren't you the star guy? I had fun with your telescope.'"

Husting will share the telescope at home football games. A newly hired astronomy teacher will borrow it to use as a training aid. Being able to use the telescope outside the classroom, in an informal way, has helped Husting gain perspective on the field of education.

"Every time a person looks through the eyepiece it becomes an incredible teachable moment," Husting says. "That reaction reenergizes me as a teacher and makes me want to work harder to recreate this type of excitement in my own classroom."

Alice Kahn has been using her telescope at the retirement community where she works as a speech-language pathologist. Kahn often works with adults who have dementia or other neurological conditions that may limit speech. "I wanted to use astronomy to encourage them to keep learning something new," Kahn says. "Stargazing has been an activity they could enjoy without needing verbal communication."

Matthew Worsham's journey to become a Galileo was similar to most. A high school student with an interest in science, Matthew first observed the Moon and stars through his dad's telescope. After being selected as a Galileo, now it's his turn to be the teacher. Worsham recalled: "One night I was out on my driveway just looking at the Moon with the telescope and some kids from my neighborhood saw me and asked me what I was doing. I explained it to them and asked them if they would like to take a look. They were so fascinated by what they saw that they kept getting more people to come over. I ended up having an impromptu star party."
 
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