The oregon museum of science and industry omsi is applying for a NASA CP4SMP grant to fund lenses on the sky. This project will focus on the wonder of the sky and space that has remained constant…

The oregon museum of science and industry omsi is applying for a NASA CP4SMP grant to fund lenses on the sky. This project will focus on the wonder of the sky and space that has remained constant across time and cultures, and how people have come to know the sky through NASA missions, various tools, and observations with the naked eye. The two main goals of this project are to: 1 inspire and engage diverse audiences in NASA themed science, technology, engineering, and math stem content; and 2) enhance the capacity of teachers to incorporate engaging NASA and stem content into their curriculum. A suite of programs offered across oregon, correlated with teacher resources and professional development, and inventive, bilingual exhibit pieces in a free public space in omsi S planetarium hall will use strategies that create easy access points for diverse audiences to be drawn to and make sense of the content. Omsi will develop content around the big idea that across cultures and time, humans have used observational tools and techniques to understand space phenomena. Audiences will be able to explore topics through three main lenses or frames for this project: a NASA lens, a tools lens, and a cultural lens. In order to reach our most underserved audiences, the cultural lens will highlight stories that are especially relevant to hispanic, african american, and native american youth. Specific topics will stem from questions most often asked by the public about the sky. By focusing on the common questions people have and retaining a culturally competent lens, this approach will draw new audiences into the stem inherent in space science. Once drawn to the experience, participants will have the opportunity to learn about and engage with tools that provide a figurative and literal lens to expand knowledge and understanding of the skies and space, such as creating and/or trying a telescope to view celestial objects. From this foundation, audiences will explore the sky through a NASA lens, highlighting relevant NASA missions that have deepened and continue to enhance our knowledge. For this project, omsi will partner with rose city astronomers, rosa parks elementary school, the libraries of eastern oregon LEO, and scienceworks hands on museum for the design and implementation of deliverables which include: observational astronomy events; an online resource featuring space news updates from omsi S director of space science education, hands on activities, and resources; programs and presentations including spherical display system programming; two complementary bilingual spanish/english interactive exhibit components to attract and kick start public engagement with space science in omsi S free public spaces adjacent to its planetarium. These programs will be geared to families with children and will target specific audiences: underserved hispanic, african american, and native american youth; rural oregon audiences; and elementary and middle school groups visiting omsi. Deliverables will also include the following teacher resources: professional development workshops; classroom activities aligned with next generation science standards ngss; and an educators' guide to lenses on the sky.