From: "Chuck Rippel" 0100,0100,0100Mary et al: Great discussion and if I may offer, a worthy cause in the name of education. I'd like to suggest that the dialogue go back to basics. Who is your audience and what is their experience level? Can they comprehend your (our) message? I've done Boy Scout and Girl Scout merit badge outreaches and have found them to be an enriching experience for the Scouts, their leaders and the parents who were in attendance0000,0000,0000. Also, outreach offers great personal reward when that one young person "gets it." All that said, it is my counsel that an outreach based on the broad understanding of general astronomy AAVSO members possess would sail over the heads of Scouts. In fact, it would sail over the heads of most high school seniors. You will be interacting with a group that marvels at seeing Saturn; pointing out its moons will stimulate 30 minutes of discussion. Seeing the belts on Jupiter will cause new observers to line up behind your scope for just a peek. Outreach efforts must be on based subjects the audience can understand and relate to or it will be a resounding failure. A couple of suggestions. Present a more basic program or, outreach to an educationally more mature group. Be mindful that there are already plenty of My opinion is that AAVSO ought to take the next step. Design an Outreach Program which is geared to actively outreach to Universities. With RRRT, our point of contact at Norfolk State University is Dr. Carlos Salgado; a superb educator. One of his challenges is to find ways to keep underclassmen interested, excited and involved in Astronomy and Astrophysics. In speaking with him, the various AAVSO programs are an extension of Lab time. In the short time I've been a member of AAVSO, I have had the privilege of meeting Astronomers who absolutely exude excitement garnered from their pursuits. There is no teacher that would pass on an opportunity for that excitement to be injected into his or her class. The real goal of outreach is not necessarily to teach, but to provide a stimulus that will motivate the next generation to learn! AAVSO'ers who conduct the outreach ought to do so in such a way that reflects positively on the reputation of the organization. Just as in the various observing programs, the outreach program should mirror not only the high standards of AAVSO but their organization and coordination also. Its clear just now. Maybe I'll try an catch some photons with my retina tonight.... Chuck Rippel S. Chesapeake, VA N 36' 41" 07 W 076' 20" 00 http://www.r390a.com/VASkies/ FF00,0000,0000 Chuck, > Hi, all, > > The second EPO goal stated by Chuck is excellent for committee to use: > Identifying those who are interested in Astronomy and have a program in > place to develop and support their interest. > > Action will occur when someone is willing to spearhead a project approved by > committee. As Arne stated, the idea needs a volunteer for it. > > Should AAVSO collaborate with interested amateur groups to promote their > variable star resources? > > Should AAVSO collaborate with Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts on astronomy > badges? (NASA has some kind of agreement with Girl Scouts for space science > education, training leaders, etc.) > > Should committee collect data of what members are already doing in local > areas for needs assessment? This can be used to determine how best AAVSO can fit > into existing programs or carve a program for itself. > > I'm willing to volunteer for promoting a mentor program, which is what I am > currently working on. > > Cheers, > Mary _______________________________________________