Indiana University
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K-12 Education

Kirkwood Observatory

  • Open Nights - Kirkwood Observatory is open for sky viewing every Wednesday evening, weather permitting, from mid-March until mid-November.  The hours vary by season, and are posted on our website at www.astro.indiana.edu/kirkwoodinfo.shtml.  To find out if the Observatory is closed by weather on a particular evening, call the Kirkwood hotline at 812 855-7736.  Students and parents are welcome.  Free to the public.
  • Special Tours - Evening and daytime tours are available by special arrangement.  If the weather is good, visitors can view the Sun using our solar telescope.  To arrange a special tour, contact outreach [at] astro.indiana.edu.  Free to the Public

At Schools

  • Classroom Visits - We visit classrooms to talk about dennisastronomy and to present hands-on learning activities including comet-making, Mars exploration, light and infrared astronomy, and others, or to talk about careers in science. To schedule a classroom visit, contact outreach [at] astro.indiana.edu.
  • Science Nights and Science Fairs - Need help with activities for your school's science night, or need judges for your school science fair?  Ask at outreach [at] astro.indiana.edu.

On-line Resources

  • Kirkwood E-Bulletin - Early each month, we distribute the Kirkwood E-Bulletin summarizing upcoming events, including star parties, special astronomical occurrences, and talks about astronomy.  To sign up to receive the Kirkwood E-Bulletin, send an email to astdept [at] indiana.edu.
  • Ask-an-Astronomer - Got a question about astronomy?  Send it to astdept [at] indiana.edu and get it answered!
  • Online Activities - Our education resources website offers online activities and resources for teaching astronomy - see www.astro.indiana.edu/educational_tools.shtml.
  • Teacher Workshops - Astronomy workshops for teachers are held in June.  Check out previous workshops via our educational tools website above.

Curriculum Development

Events

  • Physics-Astronomy Open House - The Open House is held on a Saturday each fall.  Come see lecture-demonstrations and enjoy hands-on demonstrations in the Indoor and Outdoor Exploration areas.  Experience the excitement of physics!  For information, visit www.iub.edu/~iubphys/outreach/openhouse.shtml.  Free to the public.
  • Science Olympiad - The IU Astronomy Department participates in state and regional Science Olympiad competitions in Indiana.
  • Public Talks and Special Events - Information about upcoming special lectures, public talks, and special astronomy events will be distributed through the Kirkwood E-Bulletin and local paper.  Free to the public.

Additional Contacts - Be sure to check with your local amateur astronomers' club for information about local star parties or to arrange a star party at your school. For contact information about amateur clubs in Indiana, see www.astroleague.org/al/general/society.html.