VOLUNTEER UPDATE 07.05.13
http://spaceodyssey.dmns.org/
Click below for quick access to:
Space Odyssey News
Trainings and Meetings
Educator Uplink
Space Science Lectures & Events
Museum News and Lectures
Volunteer Enrichment Committee (VEC) Events
SPACE ODYSSEY NEWS
HAPPY JULY 4 EVERYBODY!
And thanks muchto everyone who helped out yesterday!
FREE DAY JULY 21
MAVEN LAUNCH INVITE: Deadline is July 11
If anyone is interested in going to see the MAVEN launch in November, the deadline for RSVPs is July 11. Here's the link to register: Click here to RSVP for the MAVEN launch.
The next mission to Mars, MAVEN is being targeted for launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on November 18, 2013. For more information on the MAVEN mission, see
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/maven/main/index.html
INTERESTING ARTICLE ABOUT MUSEUMS AND EDUCATION
http://www.imls.gov/assets/1/AssetManager/GrowingYoungMinds.pdf
NEW ORBITS TABLE COMPUTER COMING
Greg Mancari, our Uniview guru, has built us a new computer that will run Uniview 1.5. Some improvements include a "real" Sun image that you can fly to, and more.
GREAT MOON PHASES VIDEO
https://vimeo.com/58385453
Thanks to Jim Nelson for passing this along.
ASTEROIDS AND METEORITES WITH DR. MICHIO KAKU
Dr. Kaku Returns to the Colbert Nation
UNIFORMS: STATUS QUO
The latest, most amazing custom uniform prototype is being built as I type. We've also got cost estimates from LL Bean (fleece vests) as a back up. Once we know the unit price for the custom uniform, we'll know whether we can afford it or not. :)
NEW LAPTOPS UPDATE
The computers are in the building and sounds like we've got some headway on setting them up. Hope to have them in the exhibit by sometime in August.
TRAININGS AND MEETINGS
SPACE ODYSSEY B TRAINING
JULY 16
5:45 to 9 PM
Galaxy Stage Space Odyssey
Food and drink will be served
RSVP to Dave Blumenstock by July 15
This is a fun and enriching training is for all Space Odyssey volunteers and is required for any new Space O volunteers. This training will teach you about our teaching philosophy as well as introduce you to different ways you can facilitate as well as some carts or demos you may not have seen before. Should be a fun night!
NEW VOLUNTEER ORIENTATIONS FOR 2013
These trainings are required for all new volunteers. Please sign up by contacting Shelley Knepley at , or call her at 303.370.6419. All the trainings run from 9-1:30 unless otherwise noted.
· Tuesday, September 17: VIP Room
· Saturday, October 5: VIP Room
· Tuesday, November 12: VIP Room
EDUCATOR UPLINK
Hi Museum Galaxy Guides,
It's an exciting time in Space Odyssey. 10 years down the road, and we are still innovating and going strong. And, as always, it is a partnership between the staff and volunteers that makes it all happen, and makes Space Odyssey the best in the world.
One of the exciting things is that we are embarking on the summative evaluation for our Science on a Sphere grant. Although NOAA built the SOS, we were able to purchase it with a grant from NASA. That NASA grant also covers show development, experimenting with innovative ways to facilitate the Sphere, and some educational research. The reason for the summative evaluation is to see how well we have accomplished what we set out to do.
Amongst other things, we set out to create some programs which deal with understanding climate - especially how studying Venus, Earth, and Mars helps us understand climate on Earth. That is certainly the case with scientists. They have gained valuable insights into our own planet's climate by studying all three planets. The question is, does it also help visitors understand Earth's climate better. So, we created the "A Tale of Three Planets" show for the sphere. It contains some datasets from NOAA, some from NASA, and some that we created ourselves. Our evaluators will be testing to see how well the show works for visitor understanding.
Another thing we set out to do with our grant was to compare the effectiveness of three different modes of operation: Shows, Facilitation, and Autorun. My personal hypothesis is that facilitation, the one-on-one conversations that you have with our visitors with iPad in hand, will turn out to be the most effective. With Show mode next. And, autorun, where we just let the sphere run unattended and rely on information on the back screens to do all of the work, will be last. But, as with all scientific experiments, we need to actually try all three modes, in a controlled way, to verify our hypothesis. For that reason, you will see that there will be some times when nobody is over at the Sphere so we can test autorun mode. So, resist the temptation to answer visitors' questions about the sphere during those specific testing times.
We are so lucky to have a talented force of Museum Galaxy Guides, so that we can always provide the best experience for our visitors. This summative evaluation is our chance to substantiate it with hard data.
So, as I say, it is an exciting time in Space Odyssey.
By the way, I am taking the next two weeks off for summer vacation. So, I'll see you when I get back.
- - Eddie
SPACE SCIENCE LECTURES & EVENTS
RESERVATION INFO
Volunteers may attend some events for free on a space available basis by calling Adult Programs at 303.370.6303 or emailing .
This is only for lectures, for other programs, like Science Lounge, please call Reservations, 303.370.6000, thank you!
Sci-Fi Film Series
Begins July 9Details on showtimes etc.:
http://www.dmns.org/learn/adults/sci-fi-film-series/
60 Minutes in Space
Go "behind the stories" in space science using the best images and animation available to help understand new developments. Seating is limited to first come, first served.
Wednesday, July 317 p.m.
Gates Planetarium
Free
The next 60 Minutes in Space will be on Wednesday, August 28
Curiosity Rover Update
On August 5, 2012, after seven minutes of terror, NASA's Mars Science Laboratory mission successfully landed the "mega-rover" Curiosity, the largest and most advanced mobile laboratory ever to operate on the surface another planet. Over the past year, Curiosity has been busy investigating climate and geology on Mars. Experts will discuss updates and discoveries related to geochemistry, weather, and atmospheric conditions, including results from the Radiation Assessment Detector (RAD), the first MSL instrument to return data. RAD is also one of the first instruments sent to Mars to specifically prepare for future human exploration.
Monday,August 5
7:00 p.m.
Phipps IMAX Theater
$8 member, $10 nonmember, $5 child (ages 3-12)
MUSEUM NEWS
DMNS TEEN APPRECIATION PARTY
It's Party Time!
Wednesday, July 17
4:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Dinner and dessert provided
EVENING HIGHLIGHTS
Getting to know Dinosaur Hunter Dr. Joe Sertich
Ricketson Auditorium: 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Joe Sertich began working at the Museum in 2011. His first day on the job he reported to work in Snowmass and became one of the lead scientists who worked on one of the most significant fossil finds of our time. Learn about how Dr. Joe Sertich turned his love of crocodiles, dinosaurs and science into a career at the Museum. Joe is going to share his story with you and answer your questions. Did you know this world renowned paleontologist was a volunteer at DMNS when he was a teenager too?! To learn more about Joe and how he travels around the world, making new discoveries visit our website: http://www.dmns.org/science/museum-scientists/joseph-sertich/
Rare Opportunity
West Atrium: 5:30-6:15 p.m.
Get to see specimens hand picked by Dr. Joe Sertich that are not on display at the Museum. We're bringing them out from behind-the-scenes this evening only!
Dinner
Southeast Atrium: 6:15-7:00 p.m.
Hang out with other teen volunteers and staff
Eat yummy food
A Big Thank You
As a way to say thank you for all you do to make the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, a more energetic and engaging place we are throwing this awesome teen volunteer appreciation party, just for you. Actually, it's for you and one of your lucky friends. Yep, this time you can bring a guest!
RSVP
Deadline: please sign up for the party by Monday, July 15, 2013.
For instructions about how to sign up, pleasevisit the DMNS Volunteer Portal: http://volunteers.dmns.org/media/6995/how_to_sign_up_for_teen_appreciation_party_summer_2013.pdf
CONSTRUCTION JUNCTION
The construction of the traffic circle at the Montview entrance that will connect the existing roadways to the new road and bus drop-off area will begin next week. Please be aware that construction fencing will be going up in the area south of the IMAX night entrance and also between the Monti Gates at the park entrance from Colorado Boulevard starting 1 July.
The Montview entrance will be closed to traffic from Wednesday 3 July until the construction is completed in September 2013.
School busses will continue to enter from the north (22nd avenue by the Gang Unit) and drop off near the IMAX entrance in a turn-around on the IMAX paved area. The parking area near the IMAX night entrance will be used exclusively for bus traffic and automobile parking will be prohibited.
If you ride your bike to the Museum and come from the East, consider using 23rd street.
MORE MUSEUM INFO
Click here for Lunchtime Lectures
Click here for Evening Lectures
Click here for Museum IMAX information
Click here for Museum Planetarium Information
VOLUNTEER ENRICHMENT COMMITTEE EVENTS
See bulletin board in the Volunteer Lounge for more info
DaveBlumenstock
Coordinator of Volunteers for Space Science
Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Phone 303.370.8344
Fax 303.370.6005
Join the Museum's Online Community
www.dmns.org