Star Parties

Throughout the year Yerkes offers star parties for the general public. Amateur astronomers volunteer their time and set up portable telescopes on the South Lawn. The events include indoor and outdoor activities suitable for adults and children. They are designed for either clear or cloudy weather. Both Star Parties and Family Programs are a collaborative effort with the Williams Bay Recreation Department and are organized by the Stars at Yerkes educators. Star parties can be designed for specific groups or special events. Examples include the "Night Under the Stars" for the Lakeshores Library System and the June 2012 Transit of Venus. Registration is encouraged. Sign up for our next star party here.

Family Nights

Yerkes Observatory offers monthly Family Nights for families with students in grades 3-8. We meet in the early evening at Yerkes Observatory. The programs encourage interactive learning and help build understanding of science, technology, and math. Activities include hands-on activities, experiences with internet resources, presentations by professional astronomers, and observing with telescopes when skies are clear. Schedule and sign up.

Skynet Junior Scholars

Skynet Junior Scholars is a new program funded by the NSF. It is a collaboration among The University of Chicago (Award #1223687), the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill (Award #1223235), the National Radio Astronomy Observatory Green Bank (Award #1223345), and the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. This project will serve middle school youth and their leaders in 4-H clubs and other informal education venues. The Yerkes 41” reflector is the largest telescope in Skynet’s worldwide system of robotic telescopes. Enabling students to observe with telescopes and investigate the Universe with their own images is a high priority for our education projects.

We are currently seeking educators to apply for positions on our Module Development and Technology Teams. Please see the following Educator Letter to which links to our application: Seeking Talented Educators

University of Chicago Press release: Middle schoolers to explore the sky with robotic telescopes

Teacher Resources and Workshops

Teacher leaders who participate in Yerkes professional development initiatives have formed the Stars At Yerkes (S@Y) professional learning community. This community sponsors monthly workshops and star parties. They are open to any educators, amateur astronomers, or out-of-school youth leaders. Many of these highly dedicated educators participate in advanced astronomy and astrophysics research, outreach, and ambassador programs. Examples include the NASA/IPAC Teacher Archive Research Program (NITARP), the Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors (for SOFIA) program, "Hands-On Universe" (HOU, EU-HOU), Searching for Asteroids IASC, and the Pulsar Search Collaboratory. Educators stay informed of upcoming events through the yoteach listserve.

Programs for High School Students

Yerkes Observatory educators, scientists, and engineers guide monthly activities for area high school students. Our goal is to engage students interested in science, computer programming, imaging, and engineering. Students assume leadership roles and help organize, plan and run the program. Each year, ambitious high school students earn semester credit or participate in work experience programs as student interns. For information, interested students and parents can contact yohs@yerkes.uchicago.edu For a list of meeting dates, event information and the registration form, click here...

Tours and Enhanced Field Trips

Yerkes Observatory offers tours and program-enhanced field trips. On field trips, students experience astronomy at a level tailored to their age and background. Programs are designed in collaboration with teachers and their schools and vary in curriculum and price. Activities may include solar observing, daytime observing of bright planets, experimentation with SOFIA’s active astronomy kits, using an infrared camera to learn about the electromagnetic spectrum and infrared astronomy, observing using remote telescopes, and lectures on the history and architecture of the observatory. To plan a daytime or evening field trip, please contact Vivian Hoette.