HIGH POINT, N.C., Sept. 10, 2014 – The High Point University Department of Physics will host “HPUniverse Day,” a family-friendly, educational outreach astronomy event, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sept. 19 at Congdon Hall on campus. The event is free and open to the public; no tickets are required.
HPUniverse Day will feature astronomy-themed activities for families and children of all ages, including water bottle rocket launches, informational presentations, cosmic voyage trips, hovercraft rides, astronomy Jeopardy!, a gravity gym, Dobsonian telescope observing, arts and crafts and more.
Children will be given HPUniverse Day “passports” upon entry and will receive a stamp at each station they visit throughout the evening. When enough stamps are collected, the passport can be redeemed for a prize.
“Many experts argue that we need more kids pursuing careers and degrees in STEM fields,” says Dr. Brad Barlow, assistant professor of astrophysics and organizer of the event. “Astronomy is often considered a gateway subject into the sciences; it can provide the right ‘hook’ needed for students to get interested in and later pursue degrees in the sciences, whether physics, chemistry, astronomy, biology, or something else. We want to spread the knowledge of astronomy and show the universe to the Triad community.”
Visitors are encouraged to enter campus through the welcome center at the intersection of Montlieu Avenue and College Drive. Public parking will be available behind Congdon Hall.
For more information, visit http://physics.highpoint.edu/~bbarlow/hpuniverse.html.