GSUSA Trainer Workshops
NIRCam Education and Public Outreach

The Astronomy Camp for Girl Scout leaders is a science education program sponsored by NASA's next large space telescope: The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). We seek to develop a long-term relationship with adult trainers from all GSUSA Councils that directly benefits troops of all ages not only in general science education but also specifically in the astronomical and technology concepts relating to JWST.

Since 2003, we have been training and equipping adult leaders so they can in turn teach young women essential concepts in astronomy, the night sky environment, applied math, and engineering. We model what astronomers do by engaging people in the process of scientific inquiry, and we equip leaders to host astronomy-related activities at the troop level. The Camp staff consists of astronomers at different levels (undergrad, grad student, postdoc, faculty) as well as local GSUSA leaders from Tucson’s Sahuaro Council. This unique opportunity is an offshoot of the Astronomy Camp program operating since 1988.

The Camp Director, Dr. Don McCarthy, is an astronomer at The University of Arizona and conducts both research and education at many levels. He is involved with a University team, building one of the infrared cameras (NIRCam) for JWST to be launched in 2013. The telescope's primary mission is to image the first objects that became luminous in the Universe as it cooled. It will also explore our human "Origins" through studies of the formation of stars, planets, and solar systems. To explain such images to the public presents a major educational challenge, and we believe that the Girl Scout network can help us accomplish that goal.

Training includes topics in basic astronomy (night sky, stars, galaxies, telescopes, etc.) as well as in "cosmology" to pave the way for girls and women to understand those first images from JWST. All our activities are designed to motivate and reinforce skills in basic arithmetic and STEM-related subjects (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). We would be equipping you to host astronomy-related activities at your location and to develop a longer term relationship that would lead to your receiving some of the first images from JWST, perhaps even before they are generally available. We expect that you will continue to be a leader in your Council and will help train other leaders in the use of the materials and information we provide.

The Camps are held at the Sahuaro Council's Hacienda Center on the outskirts of Tucson, Arizona. All major expenses (transportation, lodging) will be paid by our JWST/NIRCam team. If you are interested in participating in the next Camps (Oct. 3-5, 2008 and April 24-26, 2009), please email Dr. McCarthy as soon as possible.