We start at 6PM with microscopy while waiting for darkness. We have several different types of microscopes from geologist magnifiers to jury rigged binoculars (X7) to compound microscopes including one with a phase contrast kit. We show prepared slides of plants, organs and the ecosystem in a drop of water from a nearby pond.

At 7PM we show a 30’ model of the solar system showing the terrestrial planets at their place on the ecliptic. I also often show a more portable version on one 12x20 board displaying the planets in their relative sizes with a narrative relating their actual distances from the sun to those of known places in the area. (at this scale, Saturn would be near the library…)  After that we man our telescopes. When the weather is bad, we show a 3x5 poster of Mars in the back of our van from a 100mm refractor located in the shelter some 50’ away that the kids can manipulate. We usually have a large variety of telescopes from a spotting scope to various Newtonians, an 8” Dobs and a couple of GoTos.

We always distribute the latest maps from the AL, educational flyers, a list of URLs including those to free software and old scientific magazines (New scientist, Science, S&T...)