Participate in a science education study by Harvard & Smithsonian! Control real robotic telescopes to capture your own images of space. Learn how to enhance and visualize images of moons, galaxies, nebulae, and more.

YouthAstroNet is open to students in 5th and 6th grades. Registration is required!

Made possible by the Center for Astrophysics: Harvard & Smithsonian.

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For more information, please read this letter from the YouthAstroNet project coordinators:

Dear Parent or Legal Guardian,

Researchers and science educators from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics direct the YouthAstroNet project, a program funded by the National Science Foundation and now being used in your child’s Out-Of-School Time (OST) program. They use students’ widespread fascination with space science, astronomy, and robotics as a way to increase astronomy knowledge, as well as interest in and disposition toward careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and ICT (Information & Computer Technology). Students will learn to control robotic telescopes over the Internet to investigate the solar system, stars, and beyond. They will develop skills that transfer across all STEM and ICT fields, and that provide a solid foundation for 21st century careers.

What does student participation entail?
Youth Services Librarian, Angela Rovatti-Leonard, will enroll students in a secure password-protected online YouthAstroNet account to give them access to the telescopes. You may access that account as well by asking the Angela for login information. As part of the project the researchers and science educators conduct research to assess student interest in and knowledge of astronomy, and to survey their ICT and STEM career interests. Children will be given a survey before and after program activities, to help researchers determine what aspects of the YouthAstroNet program best support student learning and engagement. Your child’s program leader does not grade or analyze these surveys. No identifying information about students or information covered by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act will be collected. (Students will be given code-names, so we can track their responses throughout the program). There are no foreseeable risks associated with your child’s study participation, and the data we collect will be kept confidential.

If you have any questions about this research project, please contact: Mary Dussault, YouthAstroNet Project Director, mdussault@cfa.harvard.edu, 617-496-7962.

You can also visit the YouthAstroNet webpage to learn more.

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The Carnegie Library is located at 201 Avenue A in Turners Falls, MA. Those taking public transit can reach the Library by taking the FRTA Bus Routes 22, 24, or 32 to the Food City stop or by taking FRTA’s Route 23 to the Ave A and 3rd Street stop: https://frta.org/getting-around/schedules-maps/ The Carnegie Library has one accessible parking space, located on the 7th Street side of the building (to the left side, if you’re facing the front of the building).

The Library is accessible by wheelchair ramp, accessed down the driveway off of the 7th Street side of the building. There is an automatic door at the top of the ramp. There is a restroom, but the entrance to it is not ADA compliant.

The Montague Public Libraries welcome individuals with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you would like to request accommodations or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact library director, Caitlin Kelley, at librarydirector@montague-ma.gov or 413-863-3214 ext. 6 in advance of your participation or visit.