Health & Fitness
Huntington Arts Council & NYSCA Help Local Astronomy Gurus Turn Kids On To Science Using Art
Teaching Astronomy Through Art by manipulating astrophotos with free computer graphics program.
Two members of the Amateur Observers' Society of NY, Sue Rose and Rich Huber, just completed teaching their last astronomy and art class at East Meadow’s .
Through a grant from the Huntington Arts Council, they spent one morning a week for six weeks working with Rich Santer's fifth grade class to teach astronomy concepts to the students. In this effort, they were assisted by Mr. Santer and Bowling Green's Art Teacher Mr. Ryan Rochford.
Their innovative program brought students photos of the Sun, Moon, Galaxies and other deep sky objects that were taken by local Long Island Amateur Astronomers. During classes, Ms. Rose and Mr. Huber gave demonstrations of astronomical concept. Then, students used GIMP, a free program similar to Adobe Photoshop, to change the digital photos into works of art. Once students were familiarized with GIMP, they were given the ability to change the hue, contrast, and color of the astronomical photos and transform them into their personal visions of space in the school's computer lab. While this was going on, concepts of astronomy were discussed and reinforced with students.
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As a final remembrance of the subject, students were given prints of the photos they modified, and then their best photos were compiled into a 12-month calendar which each student received.
The response from students was very positive and the concept was proven in this pilot program. Ms. Rose and Mr. Huber plan to reapply for the grant in the next
calendar year to continue giving their astronomy/art program. Both are committed to continuing their efforts because they believe there is a need to help educate our young people in astronomy and science concepts.
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Ms. Rose is planning to give a talk on their experience with this program at the national convention of the Astronomical League, a body that oversees US astronomy clubs, in July. She and Mr. Huber are also planning to propose the program to the Night Sky Network, a NASA backed astronomy organization that develops materials for Astronomy Clubs who run educational outreach programs.
