Programs for the General Public

UW Planetarium

Wyoming Space Grant is working with the UW Department of Physics and Astronomy to provide high-quality planetarium shows for the public and educational groups. To schedule a group planetarium show please contact the Physics & Astronomy Office, or the Space Grant Office. Schedule of public shows.

There are other planetaria in Wyoming located at:

• Casper
• Gillette (Sage Valley Junior High School, 1000 Lakeway Dr., Gillette, WY 82716; Phone: (307)682-4307; Contact: nwilliams_(at)_sv.ccsd.k12.wy.us).

Stardate radio program on Wyoming Public Radio

A short radio program on topics related to space science is underwritten by Wyoming Space Grant. More information about Stardate can be found at Stardate Online. Listen to Wyoming Public Radio on-line, or find the nearest station from the WPR frequency list.

Stardate schedule (starting May 3, 2007):

• Monday-Friday: 8:58 AM (in "Morning Edition")
• Monday-Thursday: 2:56 PM (in "BBC")
• Saturday: 5:57 AM (in "The Changing World from the BBC") and 12-Noon (in "Ranch Breakfast Show")
• Sunday: 10:00 AM (in "New Dimensions") and 6:00 PM (in "Thistle & Shamrock")

WY Space Grant Speaker Series

Space Grant has funds to assist Wyoming 2- and 4-year colleges who wish to bring science, math, engineering, or technology speakers to their institutions. Please refer to our Speaker Series webpage, or contact the Space Grant Office for more information.

Astronomy and Science organizations in Wyoming

Jackson (Hole) Astronomy Club
Cheyenne Astronomy Club
Laramie Astronomical Society and Space Observers
Central Wyoming Astronomical Society (Casper)

NASA Resources

A variety of NASA resources are available through the Space Grant Office for educators (both formal and informal) and organizations - more information.

Meteorite Display

A meteorite display has been created with a grant from the Wyoming NASA Space Grant Consortium to educate the public about meteorites and their impact. The topics covered by the exhibit include meteorite classification, impact frequency, impact localities in the world and in the western US, how to hunt for and identify meteorites, meteorite mythology, and economic importance. One of the goals for this project was to get community members around the state interested in space science, and make educational tools available for public viewing. The display is made up of two posters (2' x 3') and a display box (2' x 3' x 4") containing meteorite samples. The display box contains several samples including an iron meteorite, a carbonaceous chondrite, a Martian meteorite, and several others. Three of these samples are housed on a shelf at the bottom of the display box, so that they can be handled and tested with a magnet. All of the information presented in the posters is accessible to a non-scientist audience, whether adult or child, and a two page handout directs the viewer to additional meteorite information resources. The display is also available in three posters which contain the same information, with no rock samples.

If you are interested in displaying this material at your facility, please let us know.

Opportunities for the public

Solar System Ambassadors Program

a public outreach program designed to work with motivated volunteers across the nation. Volunteers are asked to organize and conduct public events that communicate exciting discoveries and plans for exploration in Solar System research and technology through non-traditional forums, e.g. Rotary Clubs, libraries, museums, planetariums, "star parties," mall displays, etc. There are now 204 Ambassadors in 48 states bringing the excitement of space to the public. Ambassadors are space enthusiasts, K-12 in-service educators, retirees, community college teachers, and members of the general public interested in providing greater service and inspiration to the community at large.

Programs for kids and adults

There are many programs, camps, and institutes related to science, engineering, space exploration, and NASA. The majority serve some range of K-12 students, however some of them have openings for adults too. Listing of camps, programs, and institutes.