Schools
Students Sky Gaze at Fulton
Harry C. Fulton Middle School hosts Astronomy Night for school district members.
The moon and a few scattered stars may be spotted in the sky by the naked eye from Fountain Valley at 7 p.m. But Fountain Valley School District families, staff and local astronomy enthusiasts had the chance to gaze past the darkness and admire the wonders beyond the sky’s limit.
Harry C. Fulton Middle School PTA hosted “Astronomy Night” on its campus basketball courts Wednesday evening with the help of Orange County Astronomers and their telescopes.
Six stations of with telescopes placed in specific angles captured the craters of the moon, different constellations, Jupiter and its four moons and even the Great Andromeda Nebula, the nearest Galaxy to the Milky Way at approximately 2.5 million light years away.
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Travis Davidson, a Fulton sixth grader, could not wait to see what waited for him as he enthusiastically went from one telescope to another. “It was so cool seeing the moon and a different galaxy,” he said. “I have a telescope at home and I can see stars from it, but not much else. This makes me want a new telescope!”
OC Astronomers stood among the crowd of curious participants as they shared interesting facts about the universe and beyond. For Brad Feinner, attending schools and engaging with event attendees gives him a great sense of pride.
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“There are always a few children who get really interested and pursue astronomy later on,” he said. “Coming out here is especially exciting when we meet some 40- and 50-year-olds who have never gotten to see through a telescope.”
Astronomy is taught toward the end of eighth grade science. But Fulton science teacher Sallie Frank found that her students go into the curriculum with prior knowledge of the subject and she credits their awareness to the school's efforts in conducting educational events.
OC Astronomers have helped made it possible for Fulton to hold its second annual Astronomy Night. Prior to 2009, assemblies were held where guest speakers were invited and slide show were presented. But Fulton Assistant Principal Paul Andre White has found Astronomy Night to be most successful in helping students better understand the phenomenon beyond the planet. “The hands-on activities are just what the students need and we love it here,” he said.
