Pisgah Elementary School (PES) students had an out of this world experience during a recent field trip to Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI).
From sitting in the command center of a working radio telescope array to watching uranium ore fluoresce under ultraviolet rock to touching lunar and Martian meteorites, fourth grade students felt the same spark of wonder that first led humans to look upward.
"The trip was exquisite, because I loved the rocks and the spaceship," said Sully, one of the fourth graders.
"I got to touch rocks from the Moon and Mars,” exclaimed fellow fourth grader Carson.
The program started with a lesson about spectroscopy, including colorful emission line demonstrations. Next, the kids toured the museum’s large collection of space age artifacts and mineral samples. Students loved looking at real rocket boosters, satellites, and a Space Shuttle wheel.
“It was extremely hands-on and educational; a positive learning experience for all the students,” said PES fourth grade teacher J.B. Halpin. “They got to see a world-class, historical astronomical facility, which strengthened their learning and excitement about the universe.”
The pinnacle came when PARI education director Tim Delisle pulled two small, unassuming rocks from a glass case. They were meteorites that originated on the Moon and Mars, respectively.
“As far as I know, no other museum lets visitors touch the meteorites,” he said. “Now you can tell your friends that you’ve touched another planet.”
