FORT FAIRFIELD, Maine — The Fort Fairfield Public Library is ready to begin phase two of its NASA at My Library programming with a new telescope designed to give both children and adults hands-on experiences observing the night sky.
In 2017, the library became one of 75 across the country selected to receive educational STEM-based resources through the NASA at My Library program. The project provided staff members with a $500 stipend, two NASA facilitation kits that included ultraviolet reactive beads, books for science-themed storytimes, a thermal camera, a Samsung tablet, and rock and meteorite identifying kits, as well as $800 for children’s librarian Dianna Leighton to attend a NASA workshop in Denver, Colorado.
Now the library is home to an Orion FunScope Astro Dazzle 4.5 Altazimuth Reflector telescope courtesy of the Brunswick, Maine-based Cornerstones of Science, one of the partners in the NASA at My Library program. Although patrons have yet to use the telescope for night sky observations, they soon will get the chance to do so during the library’s second annual International Observe the Moon Night event from 5-7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 20.
“We’re partnering with the Aroostook County Astronomy Club to give people an opportunity to come out and learn about the different features of the moon while observing the night sky,” Leighton said.
Leighton noted that during the NASA workshop in Denver she was able to learn how to correctly use the telescope and that the library’s new Orion telescope is sturdy and designed for beginner users. On International Observe the Moon Night, families will take a virtual “tour” of the moon and use the library’s new telescope for the first time. Families who are unable to come to the Saturday night event can attend a moon-themed storytime at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 18.
For the second phase of the STEM projects, NASA at My Library gave the Fort Fairfield Public Library a $1,500 stipend and will continue to provide funding until the end of 2020. Leighton said that staff members are currently brainstorming future activities and encourage folks to follow future announcements on the library’s Facebook page.
Past NASA-themed activities have included a Skype visit with astronaut and Caribou native Jessica Meir and hands-on projects about finding water in space, the functions of space probes and a special session for homeschooled children. The library’s goal is to hold at least one activity during all school breaks.
“Anytime we can bring hands-on projects like this to the library, it’s a great chance for children and even adults to have fun and become lifelong learners,” Leighton said.
The NASA at My Library program is led by the National Center for Interactive Learning at the Space Science Institute. Partners include the American Library Association Public Programs Office, Pacific Science Center, Cornerstones of Science, and the Education Development Center. Support is made possible through the NASA Science Mission Directorate as part of the STEM Activation program.
