Astronomy Training November 5th 2011

Teachers participated in the Engaging Teachers and Students in the RGV in Astronomy 2011 institute coordinated through the RGVSA, UTPA, The University of Texas at Austin Center for Space Research, Texas Space Grant Consortium and NASA.

Teachers listened to presentations and participated in activities which were led by Dr. Judit Ries from CSR. Discussions and activities involved expansion of the universe, galaxies, life cycle of a star, Earth/Moon system, and rotation/revolution.

Janie Leal, RGVSA member and PSJA teacher, lead an activity on characteristics/classification of planets.

Link to PowerPoint with all slides... PPT

Link to all handouts... Handouts

After clicking on the link, click on File and select, Download Original

Website where you can order lots of astronomy posters and other items for free. Just select the items from the drop-down (select multiple items on a single order, I ordered one or two of everything :-) so go to it!) See the items here

Pics...coming soon...

NASA GRC Day 4

NASA events were over on day 3, so today was a day of fun. We started the day by checking out of the dorms at CSU. We headed to breakfast at Burger King. We took the girls to the zoo and shopping at the gift shop. Then Mrs. Ramirez was able to arrange a special behind the scenes tour of NASA Glenn Research Center through Mr. Robert LaSalvia, NASA Explorer Schools Project Manager. Mr. LaSalvia provided a tour of the Simulated Lunar Operations Laboratory, which is used to test concepts for robotic Lunar Rovers on a simulated moon surface. The girls even got to shop at the NASA gift shop. We arrived at the airport with plenty of time to head back home. A group picture was taken at the Dallas Airport and the girl's families greeted us at the McAllen Airport.

The girls will produce a power point presentation to present at the RGCSA mini-Cast in October 2011

** Mrs. Ramirez asked Mr. Melvin, since he is the director of SoI-a grant that RGVSA just won, for a group picture **

NASA GRC Day 3

Day 3 all events will take place at Cleveland State University. Breakfast will be served at 7:30 and opening remarks began at 9 am. Mr. Leland Melvin, Associate Administrator for Education, also an astronaut will greet the students at 9:30 am, than the girls will attend an astronaut briefing with Mr. Melvin and Mr. Foreman, pictures will be taken and autographs will be given. After lunch the girls will listen to a panel of trailblazers and will be able to ask questions. At 2 pm the girls will participate in some hands on activities and see a robotics demonstration. 4 pm we will have closing remarks, complete a survey and dinner at 5:30. Our bus driver Bob has invited the girls to an evening of swimming and video games at one of the local hotels. We will return to the hotel at 11 pm.
-We ended the day with fun activities. Mr. Bob our bus driver invited us to his hotel for an evening of swimming and pizza.
During the whole trip the girls have been journaling about their adventures every night before they go to bed :-)

NASA GRC Day 2

Started off the day with heading to breakfast, then headed to Walmart, took a quick picture at Lake Erie, and went on a boat ride. The girls then went to the Great Lakes Science Center and listened to opening remarks and started reading "We Beat The Street" ,a book given to them, before starting the day's activities.
The girls saw the NASA - Legends and Trailblazers presentation, visited the NASA Glenn Visitor Center and attended a book review

Going to NASA Glenn Research Center

Girls took a flight over to GRC in Cleveland, Ohio. Everyone arrived safely. :-) They had a very early start, 4:30 am, and arrived at 1:30 pm. Took a limo bus ride to Cleveland State University to their dorms. Had some lunch and heading to watch Cars 2. After movies, the girls went site seeing. They visited the downtown airport, stopped for some ice cream and enjoyed a walk down the Lake Erie beach. The day ended with dinner at Rascall House.

Family Science Night 2011

Family Science Night 2011 was held at Austin Middle School, in the PSJA school district, as part of a NASA grant awarded to RGVSA.
The presentation was a great success due to the efforts of the Weslaco High Science Club members, teachers, UTPA students, students, parents and family members. Thank You All for the help!

End of a Long, Exciting Day!

At the end of the day, we went to Dave and Busters for some dinner and relaxation time. We than headed for the Howard Johnson Hotel where the first thing we did was get the students to classify their treasured rock collection from Natural Bridge and journal entry their thoughts for the day and what they learned.

Natural Bridge Caverns

Students visited Natural Bridge Caverns one of the most treasured natural attractions Texas has to offer. This beautiful and historical cavern system offers an experience that is high energy, educational, fun and family oriented. Whether you are a first timer, an avid caver or someone in between, Natural Bridge Caverns awaits with a once in a lifetime experience you'll never forget.

Pan for precious stones, go caving on one of their adventure tours or simply experience nature on the original Discovery Tour.

Wonder World!!

Wonder World Park, is a one-of-a-kind Theme Park, known as the 1st show cave in Texas. Visitors have enjoyed touring the Balcones Fault Line Cave for over 105 years, and now, the park has many other attractions for family fun and entertainment. Students will enjoy a guided tour and discover the nation’s only true example of an EARTHQUAKE-FORMED CAVE. Going deep underground to see up close the devastation of a major quake. Exit by the “Stratavator” and ride high into the sky to the TEJAS OBSERVATION TOWER. Be amazed by the Topsy-Turvy World of the ANTI-GRAVITY HOUSE where everything is backwards, even water flows up hill!

Destination Earth: Inside Out

PSJA students are heading out today to San Marcos/San Antonio area for a field investigation trip sponsored event by NASA through the RGVSA. Wonder World, Natural Bridge Caverns, and the Witte Museum will be some of the places the students visit. Field investigations of rock formations will be performed on the way back to the Valley.

Heading out at 3:45 am, the young scientists are up at the crack of dawn to start their adventure.