Burckhalter Elementary to Host Astronomy Studies Premiere

From Oakland Unified School District: Oakland Unified School District is proud to announce the debut of the National Center for Elementary Astronomy Studies (NCEAS) at Burckhalter Elementary School, named after astronomer Charles Burckhalter (1849-1923) who served as the first director of the Chabot Observatory. Carrying on Oakland’s tradition of world-class astronomy, the NCEAS at Burckhalter Elementary has a unique interdisciplinary curriculum that incorporates astronomy studies in all grades as well as providing a hub for developing and exploring the elementary role in astronomy studies and science education.

Celebrating year one of full time service, NCEAS invites the public to celebrate with an Astronomy Night Star Party on Wednesday, March 8, from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. The Eastbay Astronomical Society will have telescopes on the playground, and NASA and SETI Institute Astrobiologist, Dr. Margaret Race will discuss and take questions on human missions to Mars. Students and families will learn about the night sky with supporting activities.

The NCEAS program was founded by Director John Panagos 13 years ago and has been entirely volunteer-operated up until now. Join us to celebrate the rich tradition of astronomy research and education in Oakland and the Bay Area, and the success of NCEAS at Burckhalter Elementary in providing students and astronomy professionals with innovative, transformational, and networking opportunities extending to the national sphere and beyond.

What: Premiere of National Center for Elementary Astronomy Studies

Where: Burckhalter Elementary School, 3994 Burckhalter Ave, Oakland, CA 94605

When: Wednesday, March 8, from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

R.S.V.P: Kimberly Jones, Burckhalter Secretary (510) 729-7700.

The mission of the NCEAS School of Astronomy Studies and NCEAS Professional Collaborative Center is to allow our youngest students to discover, practice, and share the Beauty, Joy, and Wonder of astronomy and related studies, and to communicate its discoveries through collaboration by sharing their own findings, and through an exchange of ideas with others. Learn more under ‘Academics’ here.

Image via Pixabay