April 2015
Janice Harvey
Journey Through the Universe
Gemini North’s flagship local outreach program launches into its
second decade with unflagging support from the community and
Maunakea observatories.
2015 ushered in the second decade of Journey Through the Universe
on the Big Island of Hawai’i. During our 11th year of “Journey” week,
over 50 astronomers, engineers and observatory staff continued to
inspire and engage thousands of local Hawai‘i students (over 5,000
this year).
Jeff Donahue,
Gemini’s senior optics
technician, explores
the properties of light
with students at Hilo
Union Elementary
School as part of a
Journey Through the
Universe classroom
presentation.
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Since its conception well over a decade ago, Journey has partnered
successfully with Hawai‘i Department of Education’s Hilo/Waiakea
School Complex, to augment its science curriculum and spark an interest in astronomy and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)-related initiatives. District Superintendent Valerie Takata elaborates, “Our schools’ stellar partnership with the observatories,
business organizations, and community is Journey Through the Universe’s STEM initiative. As part of the educational system, our complex
area is overwhelmed with appreciation for the enthusiasm and energy
this initiative has generated for our schools… students, teachers and
administrators, and families. This concerted effort has made this grassroots program a sustaining reality as we move into our second decade.
We humbly thank the community for their continued support as we all
work together toward common goals and building a better future.”
As Takata so eloquently explained, this stellar outreach initiative has a broad impact on our
community. Following is a sampling of the events that lit up the Hilo schools and community
with our STEM-inspired outreach activities.
We welcome you to become a part of our Journey team. For more information please visit
www.gemini.edu/journey.
Janice Harvey is the Community Outreach and Education Programs Leader at Gemini North. She can
be reached at: [email protected]
GeminiFocus
2015 Year in Review
January 2016