This solar system and universe station is part of the Sun, Earth, Universe exhibition
that opens Monday, May 5, on the fourth floor of the University of Wyoming’s Science
Initiative Building. The exhibition, which explores a wide range of topics related
to space and exploration, will be open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays through Friday,
June 20. (Karagh Brummond Photo)
The public will have the opportunity to learn about space and exploration at the Sun,
Earth, Universe exhibition on the fourth floor of the University of Wyoming’s Science
Initiative Building, located at Ninth and Bradley streets.
The exhibition, available in both English and Spanish, will be open to the public,
for classroom field trips and campus visitors 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays and only from
Monday, May 5-Friday, June 20.
The exhibition is a collaborative effort among the Science Zone in Casper and UW’s
Science Initiative Roadshow, the Wyoming NASA Space Grant Consortium, Research and
Economic Development Division, the School of Computing, the College of Engineering
and Physical Sciences K–12 STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics)
Education Outreach Program and the Harry C. Vaughan Planetarium.
“This is an incredible collaboration between the University of Wyoming and our statewide
partners at the Science Zone,” says Karagh Brummond, co-director of the Science Initiative
Roadshow and Community Engagement Program. “It’s remarkable to see UW units come together
to offer the community and university a free, engaging STEM learning experience. No
matter your age, there is something for you at the Sun, Earth, Universe exhibit. We
hope to continue building momentum and developing strategic partnerships like this
one to bring exciting STEM opportunities to our community and state.”
Designed for individuals of all ages, the interactive exhibition explores a wide range
of topics related to space and exploration. Guests can use an infrared camera, an
ultraviolet light, a magnifying glass and a magnetic field detector to uncover what
is invisible to the human eye. Visitors can compare before-and-after satellite images
of Earth to see how human actions impact our planet, and ask questions such as, “What
is it like on other planets?”
Visitors also can use colored blocks to create a topographic map of Venus and learn
how scientists visualize elevation data. Other activities include comparing images
of the sun during solar maximum and minimum periods and spinning a tumbler containing
10,000 beads -- representing all of the stars visible from Earth -- to search for
the one bead that represents the sun.
The exhibition also provides all of the materials needed to design, build and test
a model spacecraft equipped with key tools for a NASA mission. Visitors can test their
mission-planning skills by playing a board game: Will your mission be the first to
succeed? What will you discover? Little scientists are welcome, too, as they can enjoy
imaginative play by exploring the surface of Mars with toy rovers and spacecraft.
Visitors are encouraged to sign the guest logbook to help the university continue
to bring experiences such as this to campus, Brummond says.
For more information, call Brummond at (215) 804-6327 or email kmurph17@uwyo.edu.
