Failure Can Lead To Success

While Sir Ken Robinson can be controversial, I find a lot of wisdom in his words. Most importantly, he challenges us as educators, parents, citizens, to be open to change, to not settle for status quo. One may not agree with everything he says or writes, but it can get the conversation of reform moving in thoughtful ways. As we prepare to return to the classroom, pick up the challenge of making that experience the best it can be for everyone.

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Rooftop Goes Mobile

With incredibly clear skies over Washington, D.C. on July 4th, Lauren and I decided to set up the telescope in the parking lot at the Cordoza High School where we had see up to watch the fireworks over the National Mall.

View to the Washington Monument from NW

We had a great view of the Washington Monument. The waxing crescent moon was a great target to begin with, even before sundown. 

Fireworks over the National Mall July 2014

Explaining the Physics of an SCT

We trained both the Celestron C8 and the Cometron binocs on the moon, and almost immediately had people coming over to find out what we were looking at. We invited them to take a look through the telescope and/or binoculars while Lauren shared stories of the cratering of the moon and the structure of Saturn, it's moons and its rings.
After night fell and the fireworks wound down, we continued the "fireworks" sharing views of the Moon, Mars and Saturn.

Saturn is how big?

Isn't there a robot on Mars?

Fun facts about the Moon, Mars and Saturn were shared, questions were answered, but most of all eyes were opened to the cosmos. People walked away with a smile on their face and their eyes to the sky. It was a good evening.

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