help

Ideas for Converting an Old Observatory Into a Science Education Center

-- | October 24, 2015

Question: Hi there!
I am an Interior Architecture student from Leeds Beckett university. Currently working on my final year project, I have to pick a building that is unused/abandoned and propose/design a new use for it.

I found Bidston Observatory built in 1866, used to determine the time in Liverpool, Gravity measurements and astronomical observation (with a transit telescope and refracting telescope) it also used to rate chronometers. Eventually, the activity of the building focused on tide measurements and predictions, and the astronomical research and observation stopped in 1890.

I am proposing its revival by creating a space where people of all ages can gain interest in astronomy, mainly into the traditional or ancient techniques to calculate time, star mapping, and navigation. In an interactive educational way.

I am looking into the possibility of making tools, learning to use them, and make star maps.

Do you have any ideas on activities that can bring this building back to life and help kids and teenagers to engage with astronomy? I am trying to stay away from the standard exhibitions with buttons that tell u stories, but trying to get kids to build, use tools, learn by making and experimenting.

Any ideas welcome!

Thanks!

Melanie

Answer: There are quite a few sources of ideas for educational astronomy activities that one can do either in a science education center (which is what you are developing) or at a small gathering of friends looking at the sky at night.

The education resources from the Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP) are outstanding. There are several project ideas that you might be able to adapt to your science education center.
Also from the ASP, check out their list of hands-on astronomy activities. I think that you will find lots of ideas on this page.
NASA’s education activities for the classroom contains quite a few ideas for hands-on science education activities.
PBS’s Seeing in the Dark website contains quite a few guides to hands-on astronomy activities.
Check out the Exploring Planets in the Classroom page for a nice list of hands-on activities designed for the classroom.

Hopefully you can find some exercises in the resources above that you can adapt to your science education center. Let me know if you need additional suggestions for resources.

Jeff Mangum

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a facility of the U.S. National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.
	Founded in 1956, the NRAO provides state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. NRAO telescopes are open to all astronomers regardless of institutional or national affiliation. Observing time on NRAO telescopes is available on a competitive basis to qualified scientists after evaluation of research proposals on the basis of scientific merit, the capability of the instruments to do the work, and the availability of the telescope during the requested time. NRAO also provides both formal and informal programs in education and public outreach for teachers, students, the general public, and the media.
	The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense..."
	AUI collaborates with the scientific community and research sponsors to plan, build, and operate cutting-edge facilities. We cultivate excellence, deliver value, enhance education, and engage the public.