Ridgefield Library Tapped for New NASA Educational Initiative
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- Category: Education
- Last Updated on Thursday, 09 February 2012 08:36
- Written by Ridgefield Library
The Ridgefield Library is pleased to announce that it has been chosen to be one of just nine libraries nationwide to participate in a new educational program being developed by NASA in conjunction with the American Library Association (ALA). The pilot project is called “Astro4Girls and their Families” and is focused on empowering women’s success – especially in science – starting from when they are young. The Ridgefield Library and a select group of other libraries will have the opportunity to host events on space science and astronomy during Women’s History Month in March 2012, and to engage girls and their families in discovering the Universe for themselves.
According to ALA’s Jennifer Dominiak, the Ridgefield Library was selected for this exclusive honor based on its “successful participation in the traveling exhibition, Visions of the Universe.” Ridgefielders will remember this exhibit as part of the community‐wide, yearlong International Year of Astronomy initiative undertaken by the Library and other groups in 2009. In all, 1684 children, teens and adults participated in 38 book discussions, exhibits, lectures, educational programs and more, all spearheaded by renowned astronomer and former Ridgefielder Dr. Heidi B. Hammel.
Now Executive Vice President of the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) in Washington, D.C., Dr. Hammel is thrilled that the Library has been chosen to participate in this exciting new educational initiative. She is looking forward to returning to town on March 3rd to kick off the project with a program entitled “Understanding Astronomy,” co‐presented with Ridgefield High School astronomy teacher J.R. Condosta. Click HERE for more information on the March 3rd event.
Key to the “Astro4Girls” educational model is the assignment of “NASA Buddies” to each partner library. Ridgefield has been paired with Erin Braswell and Mary Dussault of the Harvard/Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Cambridge, Massachusetts, who have taught Library staff how to use their MicroObservatory Robotic Telescope Network. Staff will be guiding participants in taking their own photographs of the universe using these telescopes! Following a hands‐on workshop on March 10th, participants’ astrophotographic handiwork will be on display in the Library’s Dayton Program Room in April. Click HERE for more information on teh March 10th workshop.
Also enthusiastic about this new project is Nicholas Donofrio, Executive Vice President of Innovation and Technology at the IBM Corporation until 2008, whose family has sponsored the Library’s award‐ winning “Inspiring Girls in Science” programs since 2005. “’Astro4Girls and their Families’ fits perfectly with my personal and professional commitment to encouraging women and minorities to enter and excel in science and technology fields,” says Mr. Donofrio. “The crucial time to engage the next generation of female scientists is in elementary and middle school, when they are still exploring theirinterests and options. This new program will provide an exciting opportunity for the Ridgefield Library and Ridgefield youngsters.”
Registration is required for all “Astro4Girls” programs. To sign up or for more information, contact Children’s Librarian Mary Beth Rassulo at 203‐438‐2282 x1024 or visit www.ridgefieldlibrary.org. “We are busy working with NASA and ALA to plan a full month of astronomy activities for March,” says Rassulo. “We are also working with the schools, to make sure ‘Astro4Girls and their Families’ has the maximum impact in our local community. Perhaps the next Heidi Hammel is out there right now, waiting for our encouragement!”
