This week was another new taster session. We took our wares to Hapton Primary School and once again our taster session about star formation, abiogenesis and proplyds went down a storm. These kids were great. They were full of questions and once again I found myself surprised by the intelligence they displayed in their questioning. I was not surprised to find smart kids, but there are questions and then there are questions. The most rewarding thing is when we see a student starting to use inductive reasoning, often showing the ability to infer intelligent answers from various propositions we present to them. I was so impressed by a couple of students who were able to employ induction and a sort of young strain of syllogistic logic to ask intelligent questions. This was pleasing not only because of the questioning, but also because the questions suggested certain premises had already been dismissed prior to formulating the question. Now that WAS exciting. When a child has been educated to a standard sufficient to allow them to self-educate intelligently then that child is equipped well for the academic challenge. I am in no doubt that there were at least a couple of future scientists in this school.
The session went down, as I say, very well and it is always great when the teachers and learning support staff are as engaged in the lesson as the students. This is often the case with astronomy as it is rare and also almost transcendent and numinous in parts. The best sign of a good lesson is when we are told to shut up! The students would have questioned all afternoon but inevitably the wider curriculum came rushing in. How thrilling it is to have the students chatter our ears off from beginning to end.
Other good news is that the Awards4All funding application we previously had rejected looks as though it will be approved upon reapplication. I am not the expert on this sort of thing, that is Erica's forte, however, it seems that a minor detail was incorrectly stated or interpreted and clearing it up will allow us to go ahead. That will be great result if that comes in, allowing us to buy significant resources for educating.
A great song.
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Earth Moon
Today was the first day of a new term, six weeks now until Easter, and it was the first session proper delivered to the secondary school in our rotation. The last time I was there was a taster session delivered to a great bunch of kids with a bundle of attitude. I love these kids. Today's session was delivered to their GCSE class with a couple of 'stepper-uppers', i.e. talented students from lower years. The subject was the Earth - Moon system, and I managed to export a great deal of knowledge in 45 minutes. We covered libration:
Libration is a 'wobble' observed in the Moon's orbital motion as it faces Earth. The GIF above demonstrates this by showing the motion greatly accelerated. 50% of the surface of the Moon is visible from Earth at any one time, but thanks to libration it is possible to see 59% of the Moon's surface can be observed.
We also talked about eclipses, total, partial and annular. We covered the landings, including a thorough debunking of the Moon Landing conspiracies, each with accompanying explanations of why they are so preposterous, and this is a very useful tool actually, an easy way to cover a diverse knowledge base very quickly. After that we had a general chat about the Apollo missions, Apollo 13 and various interesting elements of the missions like the Lunar Rover, the geography and topography of the Moon and a little about the formation.
It was a Monday morning lesson, sleeps heads in some ways, but nonetheless a great lesson and the shock and awe in the face of how cool astronomy is was absolutely clear.
Song. Read More!
Libration is a 'wobble' observed in the Moon's orbital motion as it faces Earth. The GIF above demonstrates this by showing the motion greatly accelerated. 50% of the surface of the Moon is visible from Earth at any one time, but thanks to libration it is possible to see 59% of the Moon's surface can be observed.
We also talked about eclipses, total, partial and annular. We covered the landings, including a thorough debunking of the Moon Landing conspiracies, each with accompanying explanations of why they are so preposterous, and this is a very useful tool actually, an easy way to cover a diverse knowledge base very quickly. After that we had a general chat about the Apollo missions, Apollo 13 and various interesting elements of the missions like the Lunar Rover, the geography and topography of the Moon and a little about the formation.
It was a Monday morning lesson, sleeps heads in some ways, but nonetheless a great lesson and the shock and awe in the face of how cool astronomy is was absolutely clear.
Song. Read More!
Binary Opposites, Black and White, Yin and Yang
Today we struck up a conversation with the excellent Mr Eclipse. I am sure I do not need to tell anyone what a man with such a name is renowned for. His website is one of the best amateur sites out there devoted to astronomy, and even more specifically eclipse chasing. One of the modules on the six week course we are doing in schools is devoted to the Earth - Moon system and therefore it goes without saying that eclipses are a large part of that presentation.
I have to confess that I love Erica's methodology. I happened to mention this guy (real name Fred Espenak) in passing whilst I was showing her an Annular Solar Eclipse and she instantly said
This is what Erica does so well, essentially everything I don't! I assemble data and prepare and produce seminars and clubs based upon what guys like Espenak do. It never occurs to me to talk to these people. To be quite honest, if I did I would be so bombastic and aggressive that I would likely scare or offend them anyway. I am good with high impact, shock and awe. Not so much with chat and show. When we founded Beauty in the Universe we were kindly assisted by an academic at UCLAN who put us in touch with the right person at UCLAN, with whom we now share a fruitful relationship. This particular academic was kind enough to attend our introductory meeting with UCLAN astrophysics and afterward he quietly intimated to me that hooking up with Erica was likely to be the shrewdest move I will ever make. I have no hesitation in agreeing wholeheartedly with his comments. Her talents for fundraising, speaking business lingo and, quite literally, collecting people, know no bounds. Whatever I have brought to Beauty in terms of vision, energy, passion and knowledge she has more than matched with business prowess, financial acumen, people skills (something I am entirely devoid of) and compassion. Her Yin is every bit the equal to my Yang.
As a result my pipe dream of using the substantial talents and materials brought to bear upon astronomy by Mr Eclipse for educational purposes is now a distinct possibility, and that is all because of Erica's mastery of the art of talking to people. That is why she is Director of Implementation. A dream that never takes form is a tragedy. Erica turns intentions in to events, talk in to action, potential energy in to kinetic accomplishments.
For as much as the students we see learn from me in the sessions we deliver I learn just as much about how to do this thing called business. Naturally, in true Adam style I cannot say it in person, I am too busy being me, but the formidable presence a strong woman in business cannot and should not ever be underestimated. Of such relationships, careers, even lives are made of.
Song. Read More!
I have to confess that I love Erica's methodology. I happened to mention this guy (real name Fred Espenak) in passing whilst I was showing her an Annular Solar Eclipse and she instantly said
You like him? Let's talk to him!
This is what Erica does so well, essentially everything I don't! I assemble data and prepare and produce seminars and clubs based upon what guys like Espenak do. It never occurs to me to talk to these people. To be quite honest, if I did I would be so bombastic and aggressive that I would likely scare or offend them anyway. I am good with high impact, shock and awe. Not so much with chat and show. When we founded Beauty in the Universe we were kindly assisted by an academic at UCLAN who put us in touch with the right person at UCLAN, with whom we now share a fruitful relationship. This particular academic was kind enough to attend our introductory meeting with UCLAN astrophysics and afterward he quietly intimated to me that hooking up with Erica was likely to be the shrewdest move I will ever make. I have no hesitation in agreeing wholeheartedly with his comments. Her talents for fundraising, speaking business lingo and, quite literally, collecting people, know no bounds. Whatever I have brought to Beauty in terms of vision, energy, passion and knowledge she has more than matched with business prowess, financial acumen, people skills (something I am entirely devoid of) and compassion. Her Yin is every bit the equal to my Yang.
As a result my pipe dream of using the substantial talents and materials brought to bear upon astronomy by Mr Eclipse for educational purposes is now a distinct possibility, and that is all because of Erica's mastery of the art of talking to people. That is why she is Director of Implementation. A dream that never takes form is a tragedy. Erica turns intentions in to events, talk in to action, potential energy in to kinetic accomplishments.
For as much as the students we see learn from me in the sessions we deliver I learn just as much about how to do this thing called business. Naturally, in true Adam style I cannot say it in person, I am too busy being me, but the formidable presence a strong woman in business cannot and should not ever be underestimated. Of such relationships, careers, even lives are made of.
Song. Read More!
The Society For Popular Astronomy
Today we are pleased to announce the formation of a formal partnership with The Society for Popular Astronomy
I have been a member for a year or two now and we are excited to be able to use their endorsement and their influence in schools. We look forward to introducing our students to them and to seeing us work together for the benefit of UK education.
If you are from a school and would like to know how the SPA and Beauty in the Universe can contribute to your educational efforts then please email us and we can send you some information. Read More!
I have been a member for a year or two now and we are excited to be able to use their endorsement and their influence in schools. We look forward to introducing our students to them and to seeing us work together for the benefit of UK education.
If you are from a school and would like to know how the SPA and Beauty in the Universe can contribute to your educational efforts then please email us and we can send you some information. Read More!
Tired Yet Pleased
Today was our third taster session and it was delivered on the last day before half term to Lowerhouse Primary School in Burnley. I have to confess that these sessions take a lot of energy and wear me out, but it is a good feeling, a gentle fatigue that reminds me how cool this job is, despite the mild terror of self-employment during the worst recession in living memory. After half term the lessons and sessions begin proper. I estimate that Erica and I were able to reach around 100 students today. I live for these moments, when I see students totally engaged and energised by science, assimilating the complexities of things like black hole physics, abiogenesis, astrobiology and solar physics. It is difficult to do anything other than beam with joy at these children. They are smart, they are sharp and they are intelligent, full of potential. I have no doubt that some of them might go all the way and get a good university education. It is so exciting to be able to influence them in that way, and they deserve it.
The taster sessions are delivered in two parts, with the first dealing with abiogenesis and the chemistry of life and the second nebular accretion and star formation. I usually wind these sessions up with Pale Blue Dot and today I was utterly blown away when one of the kids knew who Carl Sagan was. That made me jump inside just a little bit. Pale Blue Dot is a great way to finish a class with something inspirational, and, after so much hardcore science, something that is also a rest for the mind and which appeals to the human sense of, and appreciation for the transcendent and the numinous. I love Pale Blue Dot for many reasons, but one of them as that it is a reminder to me that however much I love science, empiricism and suchlike, human beings are ultimately creatures of emotion, and thus it serves to force me to engage with education using a holistic methodology. Today I was utterly thrilled that, when the Powerpoint slide with Sagan's photograph appeared on screen, one student knew him, and even better, it was a girl. This science seems to naturally appeal to boys so I always try to get the girls equally involved and engaged. That doesn't usually take a massive amount of persuasion but I do it nonetheless because one thing Beauty in the Universe definitely will not be is a gendered organisation. As it turns out her father grew up aware of the same 1980's sense of wonder and fascination at space exploration that I did so he bought her the box set of Carl Sagan's Cosmos. Good for him, and especially for her. This town needs more parents like that.
Tune. Read More!
The taster sessions are delivered in two parts, with the first dealing with abiogenesis and the chemistry of life and the second nebular accretion and star formation. I usually wind these sessions up with Pale Blue Dot and today I was utterly blown away when one of the kids knew who Carl Sagan was. That made me jump inside just a little bit. Pale Blue Dot is a great way to finish a class with something inspirational, and, after so much hardcore science, something that is also a rest for the mind and which appeals to the human sense of, and appreciation for the transcendent and the numinous. I love Pale Blue Dot for many reasons, but one of them as that it is a reminder to me that however much I love science, empiricism and suchlike, human beings are ultimately creatures of emotion, and thus it serves to force me to engage with education using a holistic methodology. Today I was utterly thrilled that, when the Powerpoint slide with Sagan's photograph appeared on screen, one student knew him, and even better, it was a girl. This science seems to naturally appeal to boys so I always try to get the girls equally involved and engaged. That doesn't usually take a massive amount of persuasion but I do it nonetheless because one thing Beauty in the Universe definitely will not be is a gendered organisation. As it turns out her father grew up aware of the same 1980's sense of wonder and fascination at space exploration that I did so he bought her the box set of Carl Sagan's Cosmos. Good for him, and especially for her. This town needs more parents like that.
Tune. Read More!
To Know and to Care
Yesterday was another very fruitful day. It was supposed to be tough, but I found it to be a rewarding challenge. We were delivering another taster session and this was the first one Erica and I have done together. This will likely not happen too often so it was interesting to see how the dynamic between us worked. It was great to have Erica there to do all of the relationship building work that I am really not at all good at. That was one huge advantage, and my shrewdest move to date has been working with her.
This was a school that was allegedly challenging in the extreme. Obviously I won't name the school, but the students there are purported to be challenging, with emotional and behavioural issues and so forth. Of course this was borne out in the lesson, they were higher maintenance and had a stack of teenage attitude (I love that about teenagers), but it was an extremely interesting and engaging lesson. Naturally the first half hour was loaded with sulking and pretending not to care, but as time went on more and more of them became interested and thrilled by the science of astronomy, vindicating my belief and conviction that knowledge is always the winner in a fight between it and ignorance and apathy.
These students are good kids who need people who not only know, but who also care - exactly the kind of students Beauty in the Universe loves.
Song Read More!
This was a school that was allegedly challenging in the extreme. Obviously I won't name the school, but the students there are purported to be challenging, with emotional and behavioural issues and so forth. Of course this was borne out in the lesson, they were higher maintenance and had a stack of teenage attitude (I love that about teenagers), but it was an extremely interesting and engaging lesson. Naturally the first half hour was loaded with sulking and pretending not to care, but as time went on more and more of them became interested and thrilled by the science of astronomy, vindicating my belief and conviction that knowledge is always the winner in a fight between it and ignorance and apathy.
These students are good kids who need people who not only know, but who also care - exactly the kind of students Beauty in the Universe loves.
Song Read More!
Young Astronomers and More Progress
This week has been a very good time for Beauty in the Universe. We have secured a further funding award from CVS in Burnley and we have hatched a plan to create a club for young astronomers, with the working title 'Little Beauties'. This means more work of course, but fruitful labour rather than a chore. I will build a separate website where children can get updates, learn to stargaze and download/watch videos about astronomy.
Things are going well and we are experiencing small scale successes that are already beginning to add up to a very substantial whole. Our next goal behind the scenes is to secure enough funding to lease office space and fund two full time positions that we can guarantee for at least twelve months, and then after that we will create two internships for school leavers. In schools the goal is to do an excellent job on our first contract.
In the long term our goal is to prove Centre for Cities wrong. We could not have made a better start. Read More!
Things are going well and we are experiencing small scale successes that are already beginning to add up to a very substantial whole. Our next goal behind the scenes is to secure enough funding to lease office space and fund two full time positions that we can guarantee for at least twelve months, and then after that we will create two internships for school leavers. In schools the goal is to do an excellent job on our first contract.
In the long term our goal is to prove Centre for Cities wrong. We could not have made a better start. Read More!
More Progress
This week has been one of our busiest yet. I estimate that I have put around fifty hours work in this week. We have secured the five schools we need to proceed with our initial six week programme, so now we can proceed and get on with things.
Yesterday we looked at office space. That was a weird feeling. This started in the last week of October and now we are three months on, looking at premises and actually proceeding. That is remarkably quick if you ask me. The challenge is to keep a rational mindset and to focus. Of course it would be great to move in to our own space and we fell in love with the place we looked at, but that means that my desire for what I want can coerce me in to bad decisions. I never decide on the spot about these things, particularly when it is money and could tie us up for a while. That is when a cool head is important and decisions made need to be thought through and intelligently assessed. It will happen, but preparedness and alertness in respect to the consequences of our actions and decisions forces regular, stringent reviews of ideas and plans and that process is what Beauty in the Universe is all about. We stand or fall on our ability to make shrewd, intelligent decisions. Read More!
Yesterday we looked at office space. That was a weird feeling. This started in the last week of October and now we are three months on, looking at premises and actually proceeding. That is remarkably quick if you ask me. The challenge is to keep a rational mindset and to focus. Of course it would be great to move in to our own space and we fell in love with the place we looked at, but that means that my desire for what I want can coerce me in to bad decisions. I never decide on the spot about these things, particularly when it is money and could tie us up for a while. That is when a cool head is important and decisions made need to be thought through and intelligently assessed. It will happen, but preparedness and alertness in respect to the consequences of our actions and decisions forces regular, stringent reviews of ideas and plans and that process is what Beauty in the Universe is all about. We stand or fall on our ability to make shrewd, intelligent decisions. Read More!
Beginnings
Beginnings is the de facto theme of 2010 for Beauty in the Universe. It sort of came about by accident really, but beginnings it is. We have begun our search for funding in earnest and have agreed several sources already, as always these things seem to take forever. We have begun a partnership with UCLAN, home of some of the smartest people I have ever met. We will work with them and their facilities to give students an experience to remember. We have something of a partnership with Sir Patrick Moore; he has sent us a letter of commendation. We have provisionally agreed to work with the Society for Popular Astronomy and that brings with it a connection to Jodrell Bank, a place I have been aware of for as long as I can remember. For five months' work, I think that is pretty damned impressive. We are now moving on to talking to Queen Guitarist Brain May, whom you may not be aware is a renowned astronomer and an expert on interstellar dust, and Sir Richard Branson who has recently founded Virgin Galactic.
Yesterday featured more beginnings. I delivered our first ever session in a local primary school to a class of forty year six students. The theme was... BEGINNINGS! The session featured an introduction with some cool pictures from the Hubble Space Telescope - that was such a joyous experience, to see how thrilled and utterly enthralled they were. We then conducted an experiment, followed by a long and in-depth discussion on the subject of Abiogenesis which was then neatly closed with the Clutching Stardust video. After that it was on to planetary accretion. We talked about Proplyds, nebulae and the creation of the Solar System. They lapped it up and I could have gone on all afternoon and they would have been fascinated.
Chalk one in the 'plus' column for Beauty in the Universe. Read More!
Yesterday featured more beginnings. I delivered our first ever session in a local primary school to a class of forty year six students. The theme was... BEGINNINGS! The session featured an introduction with some cool pictures from the Hubble Space Telescope - that was such a joyous experience, to see how thrilled and utterly enthralled they were. We then conducted an experiment, followed by a long and in-depth discussion on the subject of Abiogenesis which was then neatly closed with the Clutching Stardust video. After that it was on to planetary accretion. We talked about Proplyds, nebulae and the creation of the Solar System. They lapped it up and I could have gone on all afternoon and they would have been fascinated.
Chalk one in the 'plus' column for Beauty in the Universe. Read More!