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Apollo 11 50th Anniversary:
Celebrating Our First Lunar Steps

Celebrate one of the greatest accomplishments in space exploration with a day of science activities and festivities! This historic occasion marks the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11’s successful mission and the first steps on the Moon.

  • Participate in hands-on science activities
  • Learn about the technology used to send a person to the Moon
  • Speak to an astronaut about life in space
  • Discover the history behind the Apollo program
  • Watch footage of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin taking their first lunar steps
  • AND MORE!

Remember:

Stop by the “photo booth” to take a picture as one of the mathematicians/human computers whose calculations were critical to the success of NASA’s missions.

Pick up space-inspired treats from Morano Gelato and Blue Sparrow Kitchen.

Donor-level members (Supporting, Contributing, Patron, and River Society members) can relax and enjoy cookies and lemonade at the Donors’ Docking Station in the second floor conference room from 11am–2pm.

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From meteorites to moon maps, astronomers to astronaut ice cream, it will be a day full of exciting science experiences as we celebrate one of the greatest accomplishments in space exploration!

Schedule of Events

Donor Docking Station

11am–2pm Donor Docking Station (2nd Floor, Conference Room)
Donor-level members (Supporting, Contributing, Patron, and River Society members) can stop in to relax and enjoy cookies and lemonade.

Special Guest Presentations

10:30am–1pm Vermont and NASA: Internships, Undergrad Scholarships and K-12 Outreach
Learn about the Vermont Space Grant Consortium and their mission to promote STEM education among Vermont students, encouraging them to pursue careers in aerospace-related areas.
11am History of the Apollo Space Program (Community Room)
The Apollo 11 Moon landing was the culmination of a decade of NASA Space programs. Learn about the many steps it took to get the first human to the Moon.
1pm A Day in the Life of an Astronomer (Community Room)
What happens during the course of an astronomer’s day? Meet guest astronomers from Dartmouth College and find out. Ask about their day-to-day work with outer space!
3pm Meet an Astronaut (Community Room)
Hear first-hand from local astronaut Jay Buckey about what it’s like to live in space and look down on planet Earth.

Hands-on Activities Throughout the Day

10:30am–12pm Moon Maps (Second Floor)
Explore the surface of the Moon using maps, globes, and apps and discover where astronauts have landed.
10:30am–12pm Phases of the Moon (Science Discovery Lab)
Make your own model of the Earth, Moon and Sun to explore the phases of the Moon.
11am–3:30pm Straw Rockets (Classroom)
Build and launch miniature paper models of the Saturn V rocket that took the first astronauts to the Moon.
11am–3:30pm Moon Crafts (Classroom)
Create your own Moon print, highlighting the geography of the Moon.
1:30pm–4pm Meteorites (Science Discovery Lab)
Hold pieces of outer space in the palm of your hand—including a rare lunar meteorite!
2pm–4pm What’s Up in Tonight’s Sky (Second Floor)
Get ready for some Moon gazing as we follow the path of the Moon across tonight’s sky.