City of Rocks Star Party almost here!!

The Herrett Center and Magic Valley Astronomical Society will team up again for another ‘dark sky’ star party on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 22 and 23 at Castle Rocks State Park near Almo. The annual event lets people enjoy sky views that are not washed out by city light.

The seventh annual City of Rocks Star Party will start at 2 p.m. each day with solar viewing at the Smoky Mountain Campground at Castle Rocks State Park until 6 p.m. This park is located about one mile southwest of the town of Almo. Visitors are encouraged to camp overnight at the campground. State park fees apply but the event is free of charge and open to everyone. Nighttime sky viewing, at the Lodge site, will begin at 9 p.m. and run until midnight, weather permitting.

For more information about the event, please call the Herrett Center at 732-6655 or visit the website at www.csi.edu/herrett.

Lego Scientists!

We are a family that loves Legos.  We have plastic tubs full of all kinds of sets and sizes.  Our sons have their favorites still built on their shelves, even though they are 19, 17, and 13.  I use Brick Labs in my science outreach visits and camps.  We have been to Legoland twice in California, and when Don and I visited Denmark a few years ago, we contemplated getting to the original birthplace of Legos in Billund.  We even like the Lego Movie because Everything really is awesome and Will Ferrell is a favorite.

So it is fun to see their attempt to bring recognition to scientists that may actually be female.  Read the Scientific American article that makes some good points as we move forward.  Legos celebrate imagination, teamwork, and innovation.

http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/voices/2014/07/10/lego-reveals-female-scientist-minifigures/