Students shine during solar system lesson

By Shauna Watkins
Diversity Institute Fellow

03.29.04

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Six-year-old Natalie Longo and her friend Meredith Martineau shrugged their shoulders and smiled when asked how they enjoyed the Sun-Earth Connection presentation at Warner Park Nature Center on Friday.

After a bit of prodding, Natalie said: "I liked it." Meredith soon echoed the sentiment.

The two were among about 40 elementary students and parents attending a roughly two-hour session designed to teach children about the sun, earth and the solar system. Warner Park in conjunction with the Barnard-Seyfert Astronomical Society sponsored the event.

"We've been coming here since she was three years old," said Tisha Longo, Natalie's mother. "They do great programs here; they're free, and you just learn so much about nature and science. We call this our backyard."

Amateur astronomer Lonnie Puterbaugh led the presentation focusing on topics ranging from the sun and moon to comets and eclipses.

Puterbaugh is a member of the society, which is a collection of amateur astronomers who meet to share their love and knowledge of the sky and space.

Society president Joe Boyd and volunteers from the organization brought out their telescopes to show the children an up-close view of the sun and the planet Jupiter.

The Sun-Earth Connection presentation was part of a series of programs that are given everyday during spring break at the nature center. Metro public schools were on spring break through Friday.

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