GeminiFocus May 2014 | Page 27

Gemini’s Journey Through the Universe Reaches a Giant Milestone Gemini’s senior optics technician, Jeff Donahue, demonstrates the use of optics with a 3rd grade class at Waiakea Intermediate in Hilo. Ten years ago Gemini North embarked on an ambitious local outreach program that grew from a successful U.S. national science education initiative called “Journey Through the Universe.” Since then, “Journey’s” presence on the Big Island of Hawai‘i has blossomed into an annual event that has far exceeded anyone’s wildest expectations. Over the past decade, Gemini has brought Journey to more than 50,000 students in over 3,000 classrooms. This year’s event, celebrated from March 7-14, added thousands more to that tally with a record number of classroom visits. Each year through Journey, dozens of local science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professionals from Gemini and beyond immerse themselves in local Hawai‘i classrooms in Gemini North’s Big Island community. Together they share the excitement of astronomical exploration with students, teachers, and the public. To sample the excitement of this year’s event, please enjoy the pictorial that follows and learn more (including the final report of the 2014 program) at: www.gemini.edu/journey April 2014 GeminiFocus 25