GeminiFocus April 2016 | Page 25

Alexis-Ann Acohido Journey Through the Universe: Twelve Years, and Counting! Each year, for the past 12 years, Journey Through the Universe, Gemini North’s premiere local educational outreach program, has impacted thousands of Hawai‘i Island students. The program is designed to increase their interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, while inspiring them to participate in the exploration of the Universe. Early in March 2016, over 80 observatory staff professionals — ranging from astronomers to information technology specialists — shared their passion for exploration with over 7,000 local Hawai‘i students. The excitement and energy can be seen here in the selection of images from the 12th annual Journey Through the Universe program on the Big Island of Hawai‘i, a week-long event that began on March 4th. Figure 1. Gemini Safety Manager John Vierra engages students with safety equipment that observatory technicians must wear to work on large telescopes. The program is a collaboration with the Department of Education Hilo-Waiākea Complex, Hawai