Astronomy 101 (Grades 6-8) – Sign up today!
Apr. 13 - May 4, 10 AM - 1 PM, Four Sats. at University of Portland with Michael McKeag, Dr. Katherine Kornei & Kenny Parton. *Students are invited to an optional evening “star party” where Rose City Astronomers will provide telescopes and guidance for students and their families. Not open to the public.
Fundamentals of Astronomy (Grades 9 – 12)
May 21 - June 18, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM, Five Tues. at Wilson High School with Joe Minato
Intro to Astronomy (Grades 8-12)
June 24 - 28, 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM, Five Meetings, Mon. - Fri. at Pacific University with Dr. Todd Duncan
Instructor Spotlights:
Michael McKeag devoted decades to exploring the universe at the very small nanometer-scale at Intel as an electron microscopist (or a person who specializes in research with the use of microscopes). He then turned his attention to the universe at light-year scale as an amateur astronomer. He is now devoted to introducing young people to the joys of exploration at both scales, teaching classes in electron microscopy and astronomy.
Dr. Katherine Kornei (Ph.D. in astronomy from UCLA a B.S. in Astrophysics from Yale), loves talking about science. She has studied galaxy evolution, star formation and has even starred in NASA videos about astronomy. She has volunteered in many classrooms as a science educator.
Kenny Parton grew up during the time when humans were first landing on the moon. This inspired the first big purchase of his life; he saved up money from his paper route and bought a refractor telescope. With that telescope he looked at the planets and the moon and has been a lifelong enthusiast of science, astronomy and outdoor adventure ever since. He’s excited to share how to navigate the sky in every season and translate that to knowing where you are on earth.
Joseph Minato, MTE is a science teacher at Wilson High School with a BS in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an MTE in science education. While classically trained in physics, astronomy, and math, Joe is a lifelong natural historian with a broad background and endless enthusiasm for exploring the wonders of the natural world from subatomic physics to cosmology, from molecular genetics to frog metamorphosis. Joe has taught in a wide variety of settings, urban and rural, public and private, and to a wide variety of students, gifted scholars to troubled youth, small children to veteran educators.
Joe Minato is one of the most incredible teachers, thinkers, humans, 'curiosity proponents', and student-centered advocates who I have ever worked with.
Peyton Chapman, Principal, Lincoln High School
Dr. Todd Duncan (Ph.D. in astrophysics, University of Chicago) combines a research background in physics and astronomy with experience teaching science to a wide variety of audiences. He teaches at Pacific University, where he spends much of his free time setting up telescopes in public spaces to provide informal opportunities for people to feel inspired by views of craters on the Moon, rings of Saturn, and the conversations that spontaneously arise when we look up at the night sky. See his TEDx Talk!
Saturday Academy classes are stellar thanks to our amazing instructors. Spending time with professionals who are passionate about their fields is an opportunity you won’t find anywhere else!