Re: ATM It's Kids Who Should Make Mirrors

[Bagheera <bagheera@worldnet.att.net>]

M.E. Germann wrote:
> 
> It's Kids Who Should Make Mirrors
> 
> Val Germann
> Central Missouri Astronomical Association
> 
> Though I like adults about as much as the next
> person...

"Grow up?!? Why would I wanna grow up?!? I don't even LIKE grown ups!"
                           - Billy Crystal in "Running Scared"

   Hello Val:

   I've been reading your posts, with mixed feelings.  I do 
whole-heartedly agree with you, that it is the kids who are important.
My friends and I, try to go as often as possible, (3x so far this week 
alone) to public places and set up our telescopes.  We go to Griffith 
Observatory, and see many tourists from everywhere imaginable.  And we 
also go to the local movie Mega-plex, where we see a sizeable amount of 
kids.
     Sometimes it is like pulling teeth, to get people to look through 
the telescopes.  People nowadays are vary wary of anyone that will do 
something for you for free.  As Mr. Dobson said the other night, "You 
can't say *free* to people anymore.  *Free* has become a *dirty* word."
     So, my friends and I appeal to the parents, "Even if you don't 
look, why not let you daughter/son?"  That always works.  In our recent 
telescope making classes we had a 10 year old, and a 14 year old.  Once 
other kids see what their friends have done, there is a slight ground 
swell.
     That is why we also go to the local school district.  They are VERY 
supportive.  There are several elementary/jr. highs in our area.  They 
all coordinate, and pass out fliers to the kids, so their parents can 
make time to come out, too.  Each time we've done this, we've had over 
300 people show up.  It is well received everytime.  This is where we 
are building our support.  Many of the parents also want to get 
involved, and start building a telescope with their child. Obviously not 
all of them do, but even the one or two that do, is a start.  Everyone 
is also encouraged to join us on our "dark-sky" nights.  Those, too are
well received. It is a long row to hoe, but well worth it...
     
     I've not had any experience with RTMC, but I was hoping to go this 
year.  I hope your description is a gross exaggeration of the truth.  I 
think that it will still be interesting for a rookie ATM'er, like myself 
to go visit.

george willis
L.A.Sidewalk Astronomers
http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/6389