Event

Introduction to Astronomy for Pack 11 Coventry

Hello, my name is Chris Schuler and I’m a volunteer Cub Scout leader in Coventry for a group of 18 first grade cub scouts.

Reaching out to see if anyone from your group would be available and interested in joining us at our meeting location at St. John and Paul church in Coventry on Thursday april 20 to talk about astronomy with our scouts?

We’re introducing the topic with them on our meeting this Thursday and then continuing the discussion April 20 where we’re hoping to have someone more knowledgeable talk with the kids. We meet from 5;45 - 6:30.

Thanks for your consideration.

Chris
516-650-7794

 

Date: Thursday, April 20, 2023

Time: 5:45 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Eastern

Location: St. John and Paul Church
341 South Main St.
Coventry, RI 02816

Information for Visitors

Location Details

Event Report

Comments and anecdotes about the event:
Reported by Francine Jackson: On Thursday, April 20, 2023, Jim Hendrickson and Francine Jackson were invited to spend time at Sts. John and Paul Church in Coventry outside with Chris Schuler's young scouts of Pack 11 Coventry. As it was still daytime, we could not show anything in the sky, but Jim set up an Astroscan and pointed it at a nearby tree. We also, using cardboard cutouts of the Sun, Moon and Earth, had the children take turns showing how the Earth travels around the Sun, and the Moon moves around the Earth, as the Earth is going around the Sun. Mr. Schuler then asked what the distances were to these objects, and proceeded to move the Sun fairly far away in the yard, then had the Moon and Sun take time, with one of the fathers, to move around the Sun as far away as the bodies could. Although it wasn't really far proportionally, it was enough to show how far away distances in space can be, even when they appear fairly close. After answering a few questions, mainly about being astronauts, it was time for their meeting to be over. This program showed that, even at a young age, children are fascinated with the sky, and we should continue to offer programs for them.
Photo From Pack 11 Coventry
Members of Pack 11 Coventry with Francine Jackson and Jim Hendrickson.
Photo From Pack 11 Coventry
Francine Jackson shows pack members orbits of the Moon about the Earth, and Earth about the Sun using cardboard cutouts. Photo by Jim Hendrickson.

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