STARLAB 2007 FUNDRAISING & DEMONSTRATION TOUR

The Island Astronomy Institute rented the Digital STARLAB Portable Planetarium for an exciting two-week demonstration tour in May 2007. As our photos and comments demonstrate, schoolchildren responded with obvious enthusiasm to the presentations!

Starting with Tremont Elementary School on May 11, the Institute visited the four elementary schools on Mount Desert Island, and then headed off the island to Mountain View Elementary School in Sullivan, Peninsula Grammar School in Winter Harbor, and the Ella Lewis School in Steuben. To complement the school events, public demonstrations were held in the Tremont Community Building, Harbor House, MDI YMCA, and Mt. Desert Elementary School and Peninsula Grammar school.

One aim of the tour was to show large donors how the Institute can help the region's schools. A STARLAB is far too expensive for any one school in Maine, so we plan to share this resource with as many as possible. We are received enthusiastic letters of support from the Principal that participated in STARLAB 2007; these letters will be included in grant applications to help us purchase this valuable equipment.

Principals' Comments and News Reports

"An inflatable dome filled with stars took local elementary schools on a tour of the universe for two weeks in May 2007, as part of the Island Astronomy Institute's efforts to educate Maine's Starlit Communities." (*See "Starlab Shines," by Laurie Schreiber, in the May 16, 2007 Bar Harbor Times.)

"This experience allows our children to reach beyond themselves, raising aspirations for everyone."—Marielle Edgecomb, Principal, Peninsula School. (See the full letter here.)

"I truly believe that any school will benefit from this experience, and so it is my distinct pleasure to put my stamp of approval on this worthy endeavor."—Scott D. McFarland, Principal, Mount Desert Elementary School. (See the full letter here.)

“Impressive and exciting!...We strongly urge you to support the work of the Institute.—Dianne Helprin, Principal, Pemetic Elementary School. (See the full letter here.)

”An invaluable teaching tool"—Dianne Waters, Principal, Tremont Consolidated School. (See the full letter here.)

Children clap their hands in excitement. "It's like we're in space!" *

Right—Jim Cormier (kneeling), the Institute's Vice President, was the STARLAB pilot for half of the classes at Mt .View Elementary School, including this very enthusiastic group of students.

Below—The 4th-grade class of Mount Desert Elementary School

Right—Students of Peninsula Grammar School in Winter Harbor

Below—A chorus of “oooooohs” arises as children are mesmerized by a close-up view of Saturn's rings and moons.*

STARLAB 2007 Raffle Winner—June 2007

Caleb Geary (below), of Tremont, stands next to his new telescope, presented to him by Island Astronomy Institute Director Peter Lord. Caleb toured Mr. Lord’s Meadow View Observatory, where he learned to use his telescope. Caleb’s winning raffle ticket helped pay for the Institute’s regional campaign to purchase a portable STARLAB planetarium.