More than 30 science and cultural organizations from around Hawaii Island will engage participants with fun, educational activities and demonstrations during the 16th annual AstroDay celebration from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. May 6 at Prince Kuhio Plaza in Hilo.
More than 30 science and cultural organizations from around Hawaii Island will engage participants with fun, educational activities and demonstrations during the 16th annual AstroDay celebration from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. May 6 at Prince Kuhio Plaza in Hilo.
Exciting science programs, entertainment and awards will take place on the midmall stage throughout the day with live broadcasts by KWXX radio. Highlights will include Starlab, a portable planetarium provided by Gemini Observatory, solar viewing by experienced science guides, robotic telescopes, educational games and toys, and many hands-on activities. Colorful and informative material will be available as well as displays from diverse organizations.
AstroDay also sponsors the Maunakea Coin Contest, a graphic design competition open to all Hawaii Island students grades K-12 during the spring semester. The purpose of the contest is to promote awareness of the relationships between the science of modern astronomy and Hawaiian culture.
Several category winners are chosen for the coin contest, but the overall selection is awarded as the official design of AstroDay. The 2017 coin contest winners will be announced during the opening ceremony of the AstroDay program. The design is then minted into a collector’s coin, available during AstroDay, as well as becoming the event logo for the following year’s AstroDay T-shirts and posters. Visit http://mkaoc.org/coin/2017 for more information.
In addition to astronomy and science activities, AstroDay will be sharing the stage with the Martin Luther King Peace Poem Awards between noon and 1:30 p.m. The program honors students ages 5-18 for outstanding poetry, which embodies the spirit of King’s quest for a peaceful society. Mayor Harry Kim as well as a representative from Gov. David Ige’s office is expected to attend to present awards.
AstroDay is an annual event sponsored by the Maunakea Astronomy Outreach Committee. MKAOC is a partnership of scientists, administrators and educators in astronomy throughout the state. The group’s mission is to coordinate and organize the collective outreach efforts of the astronomy community and act as a forum for the astronomy community and related organizations to plan and coordinate outreach activities.
For more information or event updates, visit www.mkaoc.org/programming/astroday or on Facebook.