CAC invites residents to star-studded show

A NASA researcher, biology professor and environmental science expert want to show off the Maricopa campus of Central Arizona College in a big way — under the stars.

They are inviting Maricopa residents to a free night of stargazing, science experiments and more 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 4.

“Astronomy Nights are extremely successful in our (college) district,” said Jeffrey Bunkelmann, CAC biology professor and event chairman.

“We actually have a real astronomer, an actively researching astronomer … What he does is he actually holds these astronomy nights where people can come and hear a lecture about some hot topics in astronomy, where they can actually do some start gazing.”

Bunkelmann is talking about NASA astronomy researcher Wayne Pryor who is the official host of Astronomy Night: Learning the Night Sky.

Currently in his 11th year of teaching geology and astronomy at CAC, Pryor plans on taking attendees on a detailed tour of the night sky through the eyes of multiple telescopes and in-depth PowerPoint presentations.

Despite a heavy emphasis on astronomy, Pryor said the open-house event also is a chance for the public to examine other avenues of science.

Crystal McKenna, CAC biology and environmental science professor, began working for the college in June as part of a $3.3 million grant to advance STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) in Pinal County. She will oversee exploratory, hands-on experiences in biology during the upcoming event.

“We will be exploring the microscopic world for the first time in Astronomy Night history with brand new wireless iPad microscopes,” McKenna said. “Families can literally point these hand-held microscopes at anything their heart desires and the image will show up on the iPad screen ready to be saved and even sent via email to the participating families.”

“In the past, microscopic things had to be carefully placed on a glass slide in order to be seen under a microscope, not any more. It’s literally a whole new world to explore,” she said.

In addition to analyzing the night sky and engaging in chemistry demonstrations, Bunkelmann said he hopes this Astronomy Night will draw more attention to the new campus and allow attendees to view and explore the “nice facility.”

“We opened it up in January and started offering classes, but we were so busy, we never really had a chance to host a science night or Astronomy Night,” Bunkelmann said.

The night’s activities also will include Wildman Phil bringing along his diverse collection of desert critters for a live wildlife presentation.

Aside from leading the Astronomy Night lectures on the Maricopa campus, Pryor also is teaching a geology course on the new campus and said he has high hopes for the addition of an astronomy class.

“Partly we are trying to introduce the public to a major new resource, the beautiful Maricopa campus. I hope they have fun and maybe some of them will be inspired to take classes from us. We are now offering geology and other science classes at Maricopa,” Pryor said.

Bunkelmann said the October science night will place a spotlight on the new biotechnology degree program offered at the college.

“We’re going to be offering an associate in science degree in biotechnology and that maybe will have a lab setup that really emphasizes that a little bit more, the biotech side,” he said. “And that’s something we haven’t featured at the other astronomy and science nights because it’s a new program that started this year.”