LECTURES/SLIDE PRESENTATIONS

The Institute's interactive presentations open a universe of curiosity. The presentations are designed for 45 minutes, but it is best to allow an hour. They can be scaled up or down to emphasize prior or future learning. Projector, screen, and laptop are provided.

These presentations are made possible in part by the Maine Space Grant Consortium.

APOLLO: FOOTSTEPS OF DISCOVERY
Explore the surprising origin of the moon through the story of the Apollo Program

Lunar samples led to the impactor theory
Space technology, lunar features, moon phases., scientific method
Grades 3 and up—general public interest

THE HUBBLE ODYSSEY
The most successful science mission ever, yielding NASA's most spectacular images

Science history, galaxies, Big Bang, nebulae, black holes, dark energy
Grades 6 and up—general public interest

Stunning NASA images make this our most popular presentation!

EXPLORING MARS
The historic search for life on Mars

Orson Welles. Percival Lowell, Viking missions, the twin rovers Spirit and Opportunity
Grades 6 and up—general public interest

IMAGES OF SATURN: A VISUAL TOUR
Spectacular images form the Cassini mission

Science history, orbits, rings
Grades 6 and up—general public interest

PATTERNS IN THE SKY: ORIGINS OF THE MODERN WORLD
A historical introduction to the origins of science

Attempts to explain the wandering of the planets lead to the development of modern science.
World cultures, scientific method, solar system, Plato, Aristotle, Ptolemy, Copernicus, Kepler, Galileo, Newton
Grades 6 and up—general public interest

Developed for the Tremont Historical Society

COMMUNICATION SATELLITES: AN INSIDER'S STORY
by Peter Lord

The engineering, construction and launch of Direct TV and Sirius Satellite Radio. The firsthand story of how advances in microwave antenna technology revolutionized satellite communications.
History of technology
High school and up—general public interest

GREAT OBSERVATORIES

The history of our study of the sky from Stonehenge to Hawaii's Keck
Grades 9 and up—general public interest

EYES IN SPACE
The History of Space Robotic Exploration

From the first pictures of the moon to NASA mission to planet earth
History of space exploration, NASA's role in space, monitoring global climate change.
Grades 6 and up—general public interest

CONSTELLATIONS OF SUMMER
Introduction to observing the sky

Fall, winter, and spring presentations are also available.
General public interest

THE DYNAMIC SUN
A multimedia tour of the sun, featuring animations from the SOHO spacecraft

The solar cycle, sunspots, aurorae, solar flares, the life cycle of stars, and black holes
Grades 3 and up—elementary, middle, and high school versions

THE LIFE CYCLE OF STARS
The human body is made of stardust!

The lives of sun-sized and giant stars
Neutron stars, gravity, E=mc2, fusion, Periodic Table, supernovae, black holes
Grades 8 and up