Call for Volunteers

May 2004

The following letter from Alejandro D Tobon of Cub World (the organization to which we donated a reflecting telescope last year) was received recently by Skyscrapers. If you would like to help out, please contact Ted Ferneza



Serving now for the third year as the Program Director for Cub World, I would like to say a sincere thank you on behalf of our staff and council for donating the telescope to the Outer Space program; it is truly a valuable asset to our camp. We received much wonderful feddback from the children and adults who participated in the enhanced program due to the telescope. It is definately being used in the program as an exciting tool to learn more about the stars.

Your group is always welcome to utilize the area. In fact, it offers several advantages such as it being one of the highest points in our state and also being a very open area with a large view of the sky.

I'd like to request that someone on your team be willing and interested to present to the boys at the Outer Space area in 2004 during the first night of each session in camp or the seond night if it rains as part of the program. Those dates would be Sunday July 11, Thursday July 15, Sunday July 18, Thursday July 22, Sunday July 25, and THursday July 29. Attached you will find our Astronomy belt loop curriculum which you can use as a guideline on what information to cover.

Again, thank you so much for your support. You have made a valuable investment in the future leaders of our communities, and maybe even tomorrow's astronomers whose imagination you have opened.

Sincerely,
ALEJANDRO D. TOBON
Cub World Program Director
www.cubworld.org

Cub Scount Academics: Astronomy

Requirements
Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, and Webolos Scouts may complete requirements in a family, den, pack, school, or community environment. Tiger Cubs must work with their parents or adult partners. Parents and partners do not earn loops or pins.

Belt Loop
Complete these three requirements:
  1. Set up and demonstrate how to focus a simple telescope or binoculars.
  2. Draw a diagram of our solar system--identify the planets and other objects.
  3. Explain the following terms: planet, star, solar system, galaxy, the MIlky Way, black hole, red giant, white dward, comet, meteor, moon, asteroid, and universe.
Academics Pin
Earn the Astronomy belt loop, and complete five of the following requirements:
  1. Draw a diagram of a telescope and explain how it works.
  2. Locate and identify five constellaction.
  3. Using a telescope, find at least one planet and identify it.
  4. Find the North Star. Explain its importance.
  5. Interview an astronomer. Learn about careers that relate to astronomy. What school subjects will help you get a job in astronomy?
  6. Visit an observatory or a planetarium. Gie a report on what you learned to your den.
  7. Make a poster illustrating the different kids of stars. Include a diagram showing the life cycle of a star.
  8. Learn about some of the early space missions. Tell your den or family about one of them.
  9. FInd a current event about a recent happening related to space. Tell your den or family about this event.
  10. Make a chart to show the phases of the moon over a two-month period. Define a blue moon.
  11. Write a report on two famous astronomers.
  12. Locate three major observatories on a map. Explain why these locations are good for astronomy.