Mauna Kea Observatories Outreach Committee

1. MKUCM2003 1 MaunaKea ObservatoriesOutreachCommittee Douglas Pierce-Price (Chair) Catherine Ishida (Chair-Elect)

2. MKUCM2003 2 Original Mission: Advise OVIS MKOOC is a sub-committee of MKSSOC. Original purpose was to provide astronomy content for OVIS. Posters Speakers for the Universe Tonight program At this time few observatories had staff with public relations/outreach as part of their official job description. OVIS was the main point of contact with the public.

3. MKUCM2003 3 Organization of Observatory Sponsored Local Outreach

4. MKUCM2003 4 Observatory outreach enhanced by many other educational and outreach efforts. UH outreach IfA (TOPS, Faulkes Telescope Project) UHH (NOMISS, Undergraduate astronomy major UHH undergraduate Astronomy majors as interns, student help and volunteers Future Flight Hawaii Often these are collaborative efforts, as observatory/MKO staff are called upon as experts. Requests create opportunities for observatory outreach. Local outreach benefits all observatories. Collaborative efforts are more effective. NOMISS (Won a community outreach award in 2001!)NOMISS (Won a community outreach award in 2001!)

5. MKUCM2003 5 Example of collaboration: Careers in Astronomy Panels (NOMISS)

6. MKUCM2003 6 Outreach demands have increased Funding agencies requiring outreach as a condition for research funding. Regulatory agencies requiring outreach as a condition for permits. Amateur astronomy booming as a hobby. Popularity of educational tourism (Astronomy is #2 reason for a return visit to HI according to a hotel survey.) Controversies increasing MKO visibility Successful outreach is leading to increased demand.

7. MKUCM2003 7 Outreach efforts have increased Desire to make explicit the benefits of MKO/Astronomy to the local community. Fear that MKO�s future is contingent upon gaining public support. Several observatories now have PR/outreach staff. Observatory participation in MKAEC. PR/Outreach staff are doing what they can to meet demand. MKOOC now functions as an open forum for coordinating astronomy outreach by observatories and affiliate organizations.

8. MKUCM2003 8 MKOOC Achievements 2002-2003 �Universe Tonight� at OVIS continues Public talk on 1st Saturday of the Month Newspaper article Radio Show Note: OVIS has several other programs including a once a moth talk on cultural topics AstroDay HTH Insert (60,000 copies) Hilo High summer physics class DFM Telescope first light! Hilo County Fair http://mkooc.org (These are events with an enthusiastic lead person and participation by the majority of observatories.) All of MKOOC is participating.All of MKOOC is participating.

9. MKUCM2003 9 AstroDay 2003 at Prince Kuhio Plaza Over 13,000 people exposed to exhibits by observatories and supportive community organizations Over 10% were active participants in the event

10. MKUCM2003 10 DFM Telescope 10 years + effort Star-tracker system points and guides without need to align Needs a home

11. MKUCM2003 11 Coordination through MKOOC Events Hilo/Kona Science Fairs SPIE Exhibit: �Hawaii is open for business� School visits (Local and Global) Exhibits and talks at schools events Onizuka Science Day Hilo High Job Fair Informal participation in Heart Walk, Cancer Walk Projects JPL 3-D filming MK video from Hawaii Public Television (next summer?) Virtual tour/birth day star exhibit Educational Initiatives Journey to the Universe Student Interns (Opportunities/ideas shared within MKOOC so those with the desire/ability can take them on.) Some of MKOOC is participating.Some of MKOOC is participating.

12. MKUCM2003 12 OVIS remains the single largest point of contact with the public Details from Dave Byrne 100,000 visitors each year Observatories and UH IfA (via MKSS) are the primary source of funding, followed by OMKM, and donations (10k). Over 100 volunteers, 60% UHH students. OVIS is probably the best public viewing site in the world. There is a large amount of good will towards astronomy that is largely invisible to the observatories. The bulk of the outreach work is done by non-astronomers.

13. MKUCM2003 13 MKAEC will become largest point of contact Details from Walt Steiger. We welcome opportunity for renewed relationship between MKEAC and observatories. Want to see: Consensus on MKAEC mission Quick selection of permanent director Two-way communication with observatories MKAEC can become point of contact for general requests from the public. MKAEC will increase quantity and quality of outreach and increase astronomy�s visibility to the local community. Both and easing and adding of work load.Both and easing and adding of work load.

14. MKUCM2003 14 MKOOC is in transition MKOOC members have fulfilled their initial commitment to provide astronomy content for OVIS (posters/speakers; �Phase One Renewal�). MKOOC has received a directive from the MKSSOC to continue oversight of astronomy content at OVIS. We have not been mandated to oversee management. MKOOC has broadened its focus to include coordination of local outreach among observatories and affiliate organizations. As of July 1, 2003, MKOOC is funded as a line item in the MKSS budget ($5000).

15. MKUCM2003 15 Goals and Wishes 1 Formalize MKOOC�s role as a bridge between organizations. Redefine mission statement and membership criteria in the context of our broader role and accountability to the MKSSOC. Obtain approval from MKOSC. Continue to provide an open forum for all organizations and individuals involved in astronomy education and outreach. Improve volunteer recognition and support. Outreach to observatory community itself. Two-way clarification of priorities and goals Cultivate volunteers Director level support

16. MKUCM2003 16 MKO Family Photo Very nice image, but only 20% of people employed at MKO/Mauna Kea Strategic error + lack of support

17. MKUCM2003 17 Goals and Wishes 2 Request improvement of OVIS facilities. Limited facilities do not match the quality of programs. Mixture of parking and star gazing is a safety hazard. Negotiate with MKAEC on the type of educational/outreach programs it intends to have as well as astronomy content. Establish a single point of contact for the public. Contribute to a K-12+ educational path that youth with an interest in science (perhaps generated by our outreach efforts) can follow in pursuit of a science and technology oriented career.

18. MKUCM2003 18 Improvements Needed at OVIS Safety Star gazing area that is removed from car traffic Larger parking area Content Star gazing area that is protected from lights A site for the DFM telescope New videos and displays (KHET video may be available next summer.) Larger display area with enough content to engage the public for at least half an hour. A better web site.

19. MKUCM2003 19 Current Participants Observatories Liz Bryson (CFHT) Bobby Bus (IRTF) Richard Chamberlin (CSO) Gary Fujihara (IfA) Janice Harvey (Gemini) Catherine Ishida (Subaru) Laura Kraft (Keck) Alison Peck (SMA) Andrew Pickles (UH2.2m) Douglas Pierce-Price (JAC) NRAO has no active participant Other Members Richard Crowe (UHH, NOMISS) Bill Stormont (OMKM) Affiliate Organizations David Brennen (HAC) David Byrne (OVIS) Ron Koehler (MKSS) Michael West (MKAEC, UHH) Other past/present/occasional participants Julia Baumann (SMA) Cheryl Berstein (MKAEC) Paul Coleman (IfA, MKAEC) Arnold Hiura (OMKM) Wendy Light (JAC) Mike Maberry (IfA) Eugene Magnier (CFHT) Peter Michaud (Gemini) Antony Schinckel (SMA) Walter Steiger (UHH/CSO/MKAEC) Richard Wainscoat (IfA) Daryl Watanabe (IfA)

20. MKUCM2003 20 MKOOC attendees September 2003