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Students Get Celestial View

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By JOHN CEBALLOS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 1, 2007

WIMAUMA - A group of about 50 recently assembled in south Hillsborough County, hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite star.

However, they weren't on the lookout for the likes of Hannah Montana. Instead, they were trying to spot names like Polaris and Sirius.

The students at Wimauma Elementary School and their families participated in the school's second astronomy night presentation from 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 20.

"It was a great night," Principal Roy Moral said. "I really think the parents enjoyed it just as much as the kids."

The event was organized by astronomy experts and volunteers from the Museum of Science & Industry in Tampa and was part of MOSI's "Blast Off With Science" outreach program.
MOSI was awarded a $20,000 grant in October from the Verizon Foundation to fund the program, which is projected to expose more than 3,000 students from Title I schools to careers in the science of physics and aerospace. The program is traveling through multiple schools in Southwest Florida.

Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 seeks to improve the academic achievement of the disadvantaged by ensuring children have a fair, equal and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education.

"Not only is it educational, but we've tried to make it a fun program for kids," said Shani Jefferson, media relations specialist for MOSI. "Hopefully it makes them excited in science."

The program in Wimauma began with a PowerPoint presentation about the moon in the school's media center.

Eventually, the action moved outside, where those in attendance were able to peer through five of MOSI's telescopes.

Moral hopes the school can host the event again.

"We're looking to maybe set something up in the spring," Moral said. "Based on how this one went, I think we might get even more people out here next time."

Reporter John Ceballos can be reached at (813) 865-1555 or jceballos@tampatrib.com.

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