Outreach
The MSU gravity group is committed to outreach through a variety of programs. We collaborate strongly with the Montana Space Grant Consortium (MSGC) to extend the reach of the science we do to the greater Montana area. The programs we are involved with are listed below.
Celebrating Einstein
Celebrating Einstein is a unique public outreach event in Bozeman, Montana to be held in the Spring of 2013 at the Emerson Center for the Arts and Culture in Bozeman. Celebrating Einstein events will include an art installation, public talks from physicists Sylvester Gates Jr. and David Kaiser, a science workshop on Gravitational Wave Tests of Alternative Theories of Gravity in the Advanced Detector Era, and local K-12 classroom visits. The highlight will be a public multimedia event comprised of original commissioned music performed by the MSU student symphony orchestra, accompanied by an original film produced by the MSU Department of Film and Photography and followed by a dance performance by Missoula, Montana's Headwaters Dance Company. The main events are scheduled for April 1-7, 2013. The event is supported by a grant from the Montana Space Grant Consortium (PI Yunes), an NSF grant (PI Yunes) and support from the MSU Vice-President for Research, the MSU Provost and the MSU Deans of the School of Engineering, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the College of Art and Architecture. More information about this event can be found here.
STEM Mentoring Program
This is a small program put in place between Park High School in Livingston Montana and the MSU Physics Department. The purpose of this program is to bring high school students to MSU where they are able to visit various labs and meet professors to learn about the current research opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Visits range from taking part in hands-on activities and experiments to touring facilities and whiteboard discussions. The Gravity group is part of the STEM mentor program. For visits, please contactProf. Yunes.
AstroBuddy Program
This program brings together middle-school or high-school students and an Astronomer, an Astrophysicist or a Physicist. Usually, the student sends questions via email or arranges a meeting with a professional scientist to answer any questions they may have. The Gravity group is part of the Astro-Buddy program. For visits, please contact Prof. Yunes.
Space Public Outreach Team (SPOT)
The Space Public Outreach Team (SPOT) provides free presentations about current NASA missions to Montana schools, youth programs, and community groups. The office at Montana State University in Bozeman sends presenters to schools and communities across the state. The interactive SPOT presentations utilize slides, videos, animations and an inquisitive approach to relay the excitement of new discoveries in space science. NASA research and careers here in Montana are highlighted in each show. Presentations can be done in a classroom or assembly setting, as long as a screen or blank wall and an electrical outlet are available. Each show lasts approximately 45 minutes. Participating teachers will receive lesson plans, activities, brochures and other materials they can use in their classrooms.For more information, please visit the SPOT website.
Updated: September 2, 2014 15:22