The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation Provides STAR_Net Libraries 1.26 Million Eclipse Glasses for the 2017 Solar Eclipse

The Space Science Institute (SSI) was awarded a grant from the Moore Foundation that will provide 1.26 million solar viewing glasses and other resources for 1,500 public libraries across the nation. These libraries will serve as centers for eclipse education and viewing for their communities.

 Click here to read the press release.

Begin Step 1 of your Registration!

If your library has already completed Step 1, look for next month’s newsletter (or follow us on Facebook for immediate notificaton) for more information on how and where your library can complete Step 2 (verification) and become qualified to receive free eclipse glasses and other outstanding educational and promotional materials for your eclipse event.

Join us for a FREE online training course in conducting a selection of hands-on engineering activities. The STAR_Net project’s Playful Building activities are designed to engage children, tweens, and families in hands-on engineering fun at the library, and they rely on inexpensive materials! Play along with us – have the following materials on hand to try the activities yourself.

Note: This webinar has reached its registeration capacity but will be recorded and available for viewing on our website on January 19th. If you have registered but can no longer attend, please contact us so we can open your spot up to someone that can attend. Thanks!

Date: Wednesday, January 25th, 2017
Time: 1:00 pm MST
Presenters: Andy Fraknoi and Dennis Schatz

Join us for exciting updates to our last eclipse webinar in October. This webinar will repeat some of the information provided previously, and also serve as the opportunity to announce the enhanced opportunity available due to our new Moore Foundation funding.

Note: Although this webinar does not require registration, it will only be available on a first-come, first-served basis, so please sign in at least a half an hour early. If the room is full, a full recording will be posted on our website on January 26th.

NASA’s Universe of Learning astronomy education program is celebrating National Women’s History Month with the Girls STEAM Ahead with NASA project, which partners libraries with NASA scientists and educators to empower girls and their families in STEM! During the webinar, we will introduce Girls STEAM Ahead with NASA, discuss how to build girl-engagement into your programming, and demonstrate hands-on coding activity that uses real astronomical observations in the ways real astronomers do. We’ll also connect you to a suite of support materials, such as exhibits, activities, and even some posters inspired by the women depicted in new film Hidden Figures!

Register Now!

Mini-Grant Program for 2017 Solar Eclipse

The American Astronomical Society (AAS) Solar Eclipse Task Force is pleased to announce a call for proposals for small grants to fund programs and activities aimed at engaging the public with the total solar eclipse August 21, 2017.

Proposal deadline:
5pm EST, Friday, January 13, 2017

Click here to learn more!

Hands-on STEM: Levers at Play

Kids and families love to build their own creations. Check out tips for guiding them through an open-ended process of building, testing, and revising in this new how-to video.

Download the STAR_Net activity guide, Levers at Play, to see how library patrons can use household materials to create a lever that addresses any number of real-world challenges -- like designing a seesaw on which two people of different weights (e.g., a child and a person using a wheelchair) can ride.