The NRAO Astronomy Festival is scheduled for Saturday, November 5, 2011. It consists of an Open House at Edgemont Road from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. and public lecture by John Grunsfeld, Hubble Astronaut, in Chemistry 402 at 7 p.m.

Post-Event Survey for Staff

2011 Astronomy Festival Feedback form

Parking for Staff

In order to give easy access to our community guests, please park in the areas shown in yellow.

Staff Parking Festival2011.jpg

We need LOTS of volunteers for this to be successful. We expect around 1,000 people to come through our doors and participate in the Open House alone. Please sign up for a minimum of 4 hours. All volunteers will receive an exclusive Festival T-shirt and are invited to stay after the Open House for a catered dinner (families welcome). If you are unavailable on November 5, there are several volunteer opportunities for you as well! Family and friends who are at least 16 years old are welcome to sign up as volunteers.

Be sure to sign up for your T-shirt and the Volunteer Dinner.

NRAO Tee.jpg

Skill Level is as follows:

  • I = no previous experience needed, simple, basic tasks;

  • II = no previous experience needed (but helpful), will need to be able to explain scientific concepts and lead activities, training materials will be provided

  • III = appropriate for scientific staff only

Keep watching this page for updates.

The following activities are in need of volunteers:

Activity Time Commitment Location Description Skill Level* Sign-up
ALMA Display 1 hr 2nd Fl ALMA Hall Need Post-doc/Astronomer to answer ALMA related questions. III Sign up
Ask an Astronomer 1 hr Library Answer astronomy related questions posed by the public. (Astronaut John Grunsfeld will be at this station most of the day as well.) III Sign up
EVLA Display 1 hr TBA Need Post-doc/Astronomer to answer EVLA related questions. III Sign up
Amateur Astronomers 5 hrs Front Drive CAS members III Sign up
Careers in Science Talks 45 minutes 245 Talks by scientists and engineers for minority families to consider careers in science and technology. Two will be given in Spanish. III Sign up
CDL Display 2 hrs 230 Staff the various CDL Demonstrations II Sign up
Comet Making 2 hrs Picnic table behind building Assist Tony Remijan with making “comets” using dry ice, dirt and other materials II Sign up
Color Saturn/Make a Radio Image 2 hrs Auditorium Explain what a “radio” image is how and how it is achieved while helping guests to create some using printouts and crayons/markers. II Sign up
Connect the Stars/Make a Constellation 2 hrs Auditorium Talk generally about constellations while helping children trace lines to create one on paper (simple craft). II Sign up
DSBK Activities 2 hrs Backyard For members of the Dark Skies, Bright Kids group to sign up for the UV Light activity and Water Rockets II Sign up
Face Painting/Temporary Tattoos 2 hrs 3rd Floor Canteen Paint designs on children's faces and help apply temporary tattoos. No experience necessary. However, some artistic talent helps. II Sign up
Infrared Light Detection 2 hrs Room 331 Explain and demonstrate infrared light detection, using the infrared camera. II Sign up
Interference Detecting 2 hrs 2nd Floor hallway near prize table Using Quiet Skies Detection Kit, distribute supplies and assist progress. II Sign up
Lifestyles of the Stars 2 hrs Hallway near 209 Explain a Hertzsprung-Russell diagram and help guests place a star of their choice on the diagram. II+ Sign up
Make a Star Wheel 2 hrs Auditorium Explain how a Star Wheel works and help guests create one with scissors and tape (suitable for children 8+). II Sign up
Make a Sun Dial 2 hrs Auditorium Explain the purpose and use of a Sun Dial while helping guests to create one using scissors and tape. II Sign up
Worlds in Comparison 2 hrs Room 245 Facilitate activity on the relative sizes of the planets in our solar system using playdoh. Need to be comfortable speaking to whole group. This is a fun activity! II Sign up
Virtual Tour of the Universe 2 hrs Room 211 Support Brian Kent with this interactive video presentation. II Sign up
Auditorium Usher 2 hrs Auditorium Help direct guests to activities in Auditorium and operate Auditorium elevator as needed I Sign up
EMITT 2 hrs Front Lot Help direct guests in and out of the interference detection truck which will be parked in the front lot. I Sign up
Greeters/Information 2nd Floor 2 hrs Main Entrance Foyer Greet visitors as they arrive and provide program to each adult and Passport to the Universe/Questionnaire to each minor. Provide location directions to activities as needed. Provide unused items to Karen Ransom to tally attendance. I Sign up
Greeters/Information 3rd Floor 2 hrs 3rd Floor Back Entrance Greet visitors as they arrive and provide program to each adult and Passport to the Universe/Questionnaire to each minor. Provide location directions to activities as needed. Provide unused items to Karen Ransom to tally attendance. I Sign up
Parking Patrol 2 hrs Outside Parking Lot Proactively direct guests to open parking spaces around NRAO. Use walkie-talkies to coordinate with other parking patrol volunteers. I Sign up
Passport/Prize Table 2 hrs 2nd Floor Hallway by Elevator Collect completed Passport to the Universe sheets, check answers to Astronomy questionnaire and give prize. I Sign up
Refreshment Table 2 hrs Foyer Ensure availability of and distribute snacks and drinks. I Sign up
Runners 2 hrs ER Be available to move between activities and help out as needed. I Sign up
Greeters at Evening Lecture 1 hr Around Chemistry Bldg Greet and direct attendees from parking lots behind Chemistry Bldg to the front entrance. I Sign up
Ushers at Evening Lecture 1 hr Chemistry 402 Collect "priority seating" tickets from Open House attendees, help guests find seats as auditorium fills up. I Sign up
Activity Material Prep Prior to Nov 5   Gather, organize and put together final materials for each activity. II Sign up
CDL Set Up Nov 4 230 Help set up the NTC CDL displays. II Sign up
Dinner Coordinator Prior to Nov 5 and/or Nov 5   Work with Karen Ransom to get count for dinner, contact caterer, help set up/clean up for event. II Sign up
Publicity Committee Prior to Nov 5   Help with publicity mailings, distribute posters, submit calendar listings online, contact schools and generally get the word out about Festival. I & II Sign up
Room Set Up Friday, Nov 4 ER On Friday before Open House, help with room reconfiguration. II Sign up
T-shirt Order Coordinator Prior to Nov 5   Work with Karen Ransom to collect orders and distribute t-shirts to volunteers. II Sign up

-- LyndeleVonSchill - 2011-10-03
Topic revision: r29 - 2011-11-07, LyndeleVonSchill
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