Senior Education Associate Space Science Institute
Two solar eclipses are coming to North America in 2023 & 2024 and it’s time for public library staff to get ready! Our session will prepare and empower public library staff to facilitate meaningful solar and space science programs for their patrons that build curiosity, knowledge and inspiration. Attendees will receive hands-on training on operating solar telescopes and other methods for direct and indirect solar viewing, best practices for developing and facilitating STEM programs, and how to engage with community partners and library-specific digital resource networks. The goals are to help library staff: 1. Build off the excitement of the 2023 and 2024 solar eclipses, and engage their patrons in solar science activities 2. Safely and effectively facilitate direct (e.g. solar telescope and Sunoculars) and indirect methods of safe solar viewing 3. Develop and facilitate exciting and interactive STEM programming at their library 4. Discuss and brainstorm community partners