VOLUNTEER UPDATE 08.09.13
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Space Odyssey News
Trainings and Meetings
Educator Uplink
Space Science Lectures & Events
Museum News and Lectures
Volunteer Enrichment Committee (VEC) Events
SPACE ODYSSEY NEWS
SOS EVALUATION UPDATE
We're almost there! This Monday I think will be the last day for doing the evaluation. We'll be alternating between doing See the Seas shows and facilitating the A Tale of Three Planet playlist. Thanks to everyone for helping out on this, I know it's been a ton of work and I really appreciate everything you've done!
ORBITS TABLE GETS UNIVIEW 1.5
Greg Mancari and Dave Lewis are targeting next Wednesday morning to install the new Orbits computer that is loaded with Uniview 1.5. It'll work just like the current system, same interface and everything but with the following updates:
- A new Milky Way Galaxy. Better visual quality and performance on modern computers.
- New ISS andHubblemodels.
- New visualization material such as rainbow and earthquakes.
- Constellations - individually accessible and with animated lines.
- Object Window search bar
- Smoother earth atmosphere rendering.
- Enceladus image layer updated
- Sun Model with Sunspots
- Full resolution Black Marble included as a Geoscope Tileset. (Access this through the Geoscope window with the earth selected, then "Add layer-> Geoscope Tilesets -> Default -> Black Marble.)
- New aurorae (available as default modules, but you need to select them in your profile):
- Basic Earth Aurora module, includes Aurora Borealis, Earth Aurora, Jupiter Aurora, Saturn Aurora and Uranus Aurora modules
FREE DAY AUGUST 11
PUBLIC WIFI NOW AVAILABLE
If you have a tablet or smartphone, DMNS now has public WiFi just log on to "DMNS Guest" network. It should be available in Space O as well.
DR. DAVID GRINSPOON SPEAKING AT FALL AGU MEETING
Dr. Grinspoon has been invited to give the prestigious Carol Sagan Lecture at this fall's American Geophysical Union meeting which is quite an honor.
The Sagan Lecture is co-sponsored by the Planetary Sciences and Biogeosciences sections.
GREAT TSUNAMI VIDEO
Thanks to Jim Nelson for passing this along. This video, also available on the Portal on the SOS Japanese tsunami page, shows how the tsunami warning system works use an animation showing the wave propagation of the Japanese tsunami.
100 YEAR STARSHIP PROJECT
Fascinating project and they're having a meeting soon if you're really interested:
SOS iPad APP UPDATE
We've been hard at work on a new app for the iPad to control and facilitate the SOS. We're hoping to have the basic functionality completed by late September but it won't be ready for primetime till later.
UNIFORM UPDATE
Still no word on the final cost for the custom uniforms. The wait is due to the factory needing to assemble five uniforms of varying sizes using the fabric etc. and having them embroidered. Once that's all done, hopefully sometime...soon...We'll know what the deal is.
LAPTOP ISSUES
Many of you have probably noticed that the laptops are having issues connecting to the internet. One thing that works is to click on the WiFi icon (the fan shaped icon on the upper right of the screen) and click on "exh-rest" which is the network we use. Just keep clicking on that and then load Firefox and it'll eventually work. The issue with these older machines has to do with the old operating system on them. Once we have the new laptops on the floor, theoretically this issue should vanish. Sorry for the inconvenience all and hope to have the new ones on the floor sooner rather than later.
NEW LAPTOPS UPDATE
Rumor has it that the laptops are nearly finished, 90% of the way there. Will let you know when they make their grand entrance.
TRAININGS AND MEETINGS
WEATHER CENTRAL SHOW TRAINING
Open to all Space O volunteers
Tuesday August 13
6 PM to 9 PM
Galaxy Stage Space O
Food and drink provided
RSVP by Monday August 15 to Dave Blumenstock
Come learn a great a show about how thunderstorms produce thunder and how tornadoes tornado! Learn to use a Van der Graaf generator in the comfort of the Galaxy Stage and make clouds appear--at will! If you're interested, let me know. Thanks!
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,
Dave B. asked me if I would write up some thoughts on talking to younger visitors. After all, we certainly get plenty of kiddos in Space Odyssey, and we want to do a great job interacting with all of our visitors, young, old, interested in science, not interested in science. No matter where they are coming from.
I thought back to this photo I took in Space Odyssey in 2005 because it really summarizes how I feel about this.
Two people having an educational experience in Space Odyssey. The dad (at least I think he was the dad, but that is an assumption) is looking over our photos of solar system objects. If he reads the captions, he might get insights into what these objects are (moons, comets, planets, etc.) and might be struck by the diversity of things that orbit in our solar system. He is building a new understanding of how the universe works. That is one of the outcomes we intended when we put those photos and captions up there.
But, check out the little guy. He is experimenting with the bench. Can he push it? Can he climb onto it? What does it feel like? He also is exploring and building a new understanding of the universe.
Which is having the more "important" educational experience? Is it more important that the man understand gas giants and icy moons, or is it more important that the little guy figure out that the heaviness of the bench makes it hard to move?
Who am I to say? Who am I to make that judgement?
Each one is having an experience appropriate for where they are in their lives. The key is that each moves a little on their personal journey of understanding, starting from where they are. THAT is the important thing.
So, how does that translate into "tips" on talking to kids?
Step one is understanding where a kid (or any other visitor) is starting from. Step two is moving them a little bit along their journey of understanding by interacting with them at their level. Once you realize that moving a little kid along his or her journey is an important thing to do, and that to do that you need to talk to them at their level of understanding, you also realize that you are not talking "down" to that kid. You are meeting them where they are.
Every one of us was a little kid once. Every one of us tried to push things around and discovered the idea of mass. Even Einstein started out as a little kid. In fact, he attributes his great insights which led to the theory of Relativity to a pocket compass that someone gave to him. He was so fascinated with how the needle moved that the idea stuck with him all of his life.
So, that's my tip. Talk to every visitor, including kids, at THEIR level without talking down to them. Find something that fascinates them. And move them a little along their personal path. Who knows where that path will lead?
--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!
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,August 28
7 p.m.
Gates Planetarium
Free
The next 60 Minutes in Space will be on Wednesday, September 25.
MUSEUM NEWS
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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