Category Archives: Events

McAuliffe Center Open House: First Images from Webb Space Telescope, July 29

The Christa McAuliffe Center at Framingham State University will host a free open house on July 29, 6PM-9PM, to celebrate the first images from the James Webb Space Telescope. Participants will be able to ask NASA Solar System Ambassadors their questions about the universe and explore the night sky with telescopes. A keynote presentation will talk about the Webb Space Telescope and the first images received from it, and there will be free-choice learning activities related to astro imaging. For directions, use 7 Maynard Rd in Framingham. Face masks are required indoors.

Tonight (if skies are clear): Total Lunar Eclipse and International Space Station

A reminder…  If the sky is clear tonight, May 15, we can see a total lunar eclipse starting at 10:27PM, with full eclipse at 11:29PM. And before that, the International Space Station (ISS) will be visible for about 6 minutes starting at 9:55PM, appearing in the west, reaching a maximum elevation of 41 degrees, and disappearing in the northeast. The ISS circles the Earth every 90 minutes or so, but its visibility varies. You can check Spot the Station to find when and where it will be visible and sign up for alerts of when it’s most visible in your location.

McAuliffe Center: Stargazing and Planetarium Show, June 3

The Christa McAuliffe Center at Framingham State University will host a free evening of stargazing and observation on June 3, 8:15PM-9:30PM (weather permitting), in FSU’s O’Connor parking lot by Maynard Road in Framingham.

Earlier in the evening, 7:30PM-8:15PM, the Center will present a planetarium show, Undiscovered Worlds, about the search for habitable exo-planets. The show is for ages 12+, and you can purchase tickets ($5) here. Masks are required indoors. For more information, email cmc@framingham.edu.

MassBay Virtual STEM Expo, May 9-13

MassBay Community College in Wellesley will host its twice-yearly Student STEM Expo showcasing students’ work, again online this year. You attend at any time to view video presentations and comment on projects in the online forums.  There are also opportunities to talk in real-time with students and faculty. The expo also highlights MassBay’s STEM Starter Academy, which aims to engage and support more students in STEM fields.

Edge on Science: “Blood Moon” Total Lunar Eclipse, May 15; Space Science this Summer

An email from Edge on Science reminds us to be sure to witness the upcoming total lunar eclipse on the night of May 15:

“We suggest that you pick out a spot to view the Moon in the days leading up to the eclipse and then plan on getting outside by 10:00PM, on May 15. The partial eclipse begins at 10:27PM. At 11:29PM the Moon will be totally eclipsed. At mid-eclipse (12:11AM) the Moon is as deep into the shadow as it will get, and you will see why it is called the Blood Mood. …The website Time & Date is an excellent resource for eclipse animations that show you what you will see from your location and in your local time.”

Edge on Science will offer its Space Science summer program at Lasell University on July 25-29 and August 15-19, for students entering Grades 5-9. Save $100 with code SPACE100. Students entering Grades 10-12 may register as counselors in training (after calling first).  For more information, call 315-773-5673.

FSU McAuliffe Center: Science on State Street, Apr. 30

The Christa McAuliffe Center at Framingham State University is again hosting its free STEM festival, Science on State Street, on April 30, 12PM-3PM, in collaboration with the MetroWest STEM Education Network (MSEN). It’s open to all in the MetroWest area. With a particular focus on themes relating to planet Earth, environmental science, and environmental justice, the festival includes planetarium shows, indoor and outdoor exhibits, and Smithsonian Channel films. For more information, see the FAQs or contact the McAuliffe Center at cmc@framingham.edu or 509-626-4050.