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Outreach

Programs

WVU Planetarium and Observatory WVU Planetarium and Observatory
Our Planetarium presents free public shows on alternating Friday evenings. The shows provide a glimpse into the night sky, highlighting the wonders of the universe, its origins and our place among the cosmos. See the showtimes hereThe observatory is located atop the physics department and is equipped with a 14-inch Celestron telescope for public viewing in concert with the planetarium shows. |  Contact:  Jason Ybarra

Pulsar Science Collaboratory Pulsar Science Collaboratory
The PSC is an  NSF-ITEST funded project run by the  National Radio Astronomy Observatory and members of the WVU Department of Physics and Astronomy faculty. Since it began in 2007, over 400 students have searched for pulsars at the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope (GBT), so far discovering four new pulsars and several bursts of radio waves. The project has had a positive impact in encouraging underrepresented students to follow careers in STEM disciplines. Program components include FREE online training and the Annual PSC Capstone Seminar. Get started here! |  Contacts:  Maura McLaughlin, Duncan Lorimer

MARS Mountaineer Area Robotics
The MARS program works with high school and middle school students in north-central WV and is affiliated with the international FIRST robotics program. The middle school program works with over 40 robotics teams in partnership with the Educator Resources Center at the NASA IV&V Facility and 4-H. The high school program includes over 30 youth and 20 mentors from a variety of  scientific, engineering, and non-technical  backgrounds . MARS is a public-private partnership with corporations , foundations, and academic institutions contributing to the support of the program. |  Contact:  Earl Scime

Partnerships

SPOT Science Public Outreach Team (SPOT)

SPOT recruits and trains student ambassadors to bring presentations about current West Virginia science, technology, and engineering to West Virginia K-12 children. WV educators can request Standards-based presentations and hands-on activities for their school or venue online. |  Contact: Tobi Odeleye

Spark!
Spark! Imagination and Science Center 
The Department of Physics and Astronomy has a strong partnership with Spark! Imagination and Science Center, the only science center and children's museum in a 90 mile radius.  Faculty and students assist with special events including Science Day, Space Day, Robotics Day, and science night at schools in WV.  Our faculty collaborated on a unique hands-on permanent exhibit about Space Weather. |  Contact:  Paul Cassak