Constellation exploration activity kits available for kids from Friends of Sears Island
Friends of Sears Island has created free constellation-themed activity kits for kids that will be available for families to pick up at Carver Memorial Library beginning Friday, Oct. 16. In autumn, it is getting dark earlier each day, which gives us plenty of time to stargaze! This activity kit will allow your child to explore the night skies by creating their own star wheel, glow-in-the dark stars to make constellations at home, star beads for bracelet making, and ID cards that can also be used to project each constellation onto the wall with a flashlight! Project instructions and educational handouts about constellation mythology will also be included. Families who enjoy these kits are also encouraged to attend FOSI’s virtual star party on Oct. 27 at 6:30 p.m., led by John Meader of Dark Sky Maine. To sign up for this Zoom visit https://tinyurl.com/virtual-star-party.
These kits are intended for children ages 5-12. Donations to Friends of Sears Island are always gratefully accepted to allow the organization to continue to offer programming to all at no cost. Activity kit quantities are limited and will be distributed to families on a first-come, first-served basis. Pre-registration is no longer required to receive a kit- simply stop by Carver Memorial Library in Searsport when they are open (beginning Oct. 16) and request a kit for your child while supplies last!
Friends of Sears Island’s children’s programs and activity kits are sponsored by First National Bank. To learn more about Friends of Sears Island check out www.friendsofsearsisland.org or facebook.com/friendsofsearsisland.
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Virtual Star Party Zoom Presentation with John Meader
On Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 6:30 p.m. Friends of Sears Island will host a Zoom presentation given by John Meader. Using Stellarium software to create a virtual sky, Meader will lead participants on an exploration of the stars, constellations, visible planets, and a few deep sky objects that you can easily find in the autumn sky with binoculars or a small telescope.
Meader is the owner-director of Northern Stars Planetarium and Educational Services, and he just finished his 39th school year traveling to schools and libraries across Maine. He also regularly leads outdoor star parties with telescopes for schools, museums, libraries and land trusts in Maine. John has been an astronomy educator since 1979 when he got his start as the student director of the planetarium at the University of Maine in Orono. From 1983-88 he was the planetarium director at the Francis Malcolm Science Center in Easton, before starting his own astronomy education business in 1987. He is a fellow of the International Planetarium Society and the Middle Atlantic Planetarium Society. He was a founder, past vice president, past secretary and active board member of Dark Sky Maine. He also serves on the board of the Friends of the LC Bates Museum in Hinckley and the Eagle Hill Institute Astronomy Center in Steuben. Meader is a Registered Maine Guide, a canoeist and a photographer.
Please visit https://tinyurl.com/virtual-star-party to sign up. Registered participants will receive a link to the Zoom prior to the event.
If you’d like to learn more about the work of Friends of Sears Island, visit friendsofsearsisland.org, and to learn more about Dark Sky Maine, check out darkskymaine.com.