MEDIA RELEASE

Celebrate Aerospace week and snuggle under the stars with Imiloa’s first sleepover. The weeklong celebration also includes activities, workshops by NASA scientists and a free talk by internationally renowned science journalist, author and speaker Andrew Chaikin. Additional planetarium shows will be available including One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure and the 3-D Dawn of the Space Age.

PLANETARIUM SHOW: Oct. 6-9

Dawn of the Space Age

Relive a piece of history and the excitement of space exploration from the launch of Sputnik through the magnificent Apollo lunar landings and onto current manned and un-manned voyaging.  This is the first 3-D stereo planetarium presentation in the world.

Sesame Street: One World, One Sky

Explore the night sky with Big Bird, Elmo and friends as they watch and learn about the stars. The show provides a truly educational  experience for keiki, encouraging interaction and using light and color to capture their imagination.

ROBOT WORKSHOP: Oct. 7

Bring the kids down to Imiloa for the PicoCrickets: Art and Electronics workshop for students in grade 4 and above from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This all-day workshop allows participants to experiment with an art project that integrates electronics.  Participants will get to be creative with tiny computers (PicoCricket) that can make things spin, light up and play music. These PicoCrickets are programmable to react and communicate. PicoCrickets actions will be focused on kinetic sculptures, marble mazes and spin art. Fee is $8 to participate and advance registration required. Call (808) 969-9729 to register.

FREE PUBLIC TALK: Oct. 7-8

Take advantage of the Free Public Talk ‘Guided Tour of the Moon’ by Andrew Chaikin, award-winning space and science journalist and space historian, who will host a public talk at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7. He will also present a family-oriented program about the scheduled NASA LCROSS impact landing on the moon at 10 a.m. Oct. 8. Both programs are free and open to the public.

TEACHER WORKSHOP: Oct. 8

Teachers are invited to participate in free workshops facilitated by NASA education professionals in conjunction with the LCROSS Lunar Impact Mission to search for water on the moon. NASA’s Return to the Moon Workshop is 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and is set up for educators who teach grades 6-12. NASA’s Smart Skies Workshop is 3-5 p.m., and is set up for educators who teach grades 5-9. Pre-registration is required as space is limited. Contact cmitchell@imiloahawaii.org or call 969-9720.

IMILOA SLEEPOVER: Oct. 8-9

Enjoy Imiloa’s first overnight event Take Me to the Moon from 6:30 p.m. Thursday,

Oct. 8 to 9 a.m. Friday, Oct. 9. Spend the night exploring the wondrous exhibit hall, watching spectacular planetarium shows, listening to presentations about the LCROSS mission by NASA, enjoying a fun array of activities, and exploring hands on exhibits and displays. The admission is $40 for adults, $35 for children. Children must be 11 years or older, and must be accompanied by an adult. Advance registration required. Please call: 969-9720 or email cmitchell@imiloahawaii.org.

ROBOT TOURNAMENT: Oct. 10

Enjoy the First Annual TMT Brushbot Tournament where elementary, middle school and high school teams compete to create micro robots using the head of a toothbrush. The brushbots will compete in speed challenges, jousting challenge, sumo challenge, soccer tournament and exhibitions.

For more information on the Aerospace Week activities, visit the Imiloa Web site at www.imiloahawaii.org  or call 969-9700.

Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii weaves today’s newest astronomy findings and Hawaii’s cultural heritage into a compelling story of star exploration. The center features more than 100 exhibits within its 12,000-square-foot exhibit hall.  

It is one of the first discovery centers in Hawaii to incorporate both Hawaiian and English languages to enhance the cultural and learning experience. Located on nine acres of lush ethno-botanical gardens in Hilo, the Center’s 40,000-square-foot facility opened to the public in February 2006. Visitors can enjoy the planetarium, exhibit halls, learning center, café and museum store.  

It is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays (closed Mondays).