Local Students Reach for the Stars at Green Bank Science Center

City, State - Students from [institution] had a fun-filled day experiencing the wonders of astronomy during their recent visit to the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) in Green Bank, West Virginia.

The NRAO is a research facility of the U.S. National Science Foundation where scientists and astronomers from around the world use some of the world's most advanced radio telescopes to study all sorts of astronomical objects.

The site at Green Bank has a new multimillion dollar Science Center, which features hands-on science exhibits that the students used to help expand their understanding of the Cosmos. This new center builds on the long-established educations programs at Green Bank, such as the site tour featuring an up-close look at the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope (GBT) - the largest moving structure on land.

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This state-of-the-art facility features hands-on exhibits, classrooms for visiting students, live science demonstrations, videos on astronomy, plus a café and gift shop for visitors.

A centerpiece of the new Science Center is the 4,000 square foot exhibit hall. The exhibits are based around the theme "Catch the Wave!" which highlights both the physics of radio waves, and the fun of being swept along by the interactive displays. These displays are intended to immerse visitors in a real-world research environment, and to allow them to experience the enjoyment and wonder of science and engineering. Among the exhibits are a model of a pulsar that visitors can "take for a spin," wavelength demonstrations of various stripes, a 3-D view of the Constellation of Orion, and a working scale model of the GBT.

"The new science center represents a great leap forward in our ability to provide educational programs in astronomy and radio astronomy. Not only can students and the general public do more, and have more fun while they are here, but we have the space now to accommodate larger groups," said Sue Ann Heatherly, the NRAO's education officer in Green Bank. "So many people had a hand in this wonderful facility. A team of astronomers, educators, engineers, and museum experts collaborated on every aspect of the center from the interactive exhibits in the exhibit hall to the design of the functional spaces in the building. It is a special place as a result."

One of the goals for this new facility is to host every school student in West Virginia at least once before they graduate from high school. To support this goal, the Science Center has full-time science educators on staff to guide students through the experience here, and to answer general and technical questions from visitors. The site is located in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, on Routes 92/28, approximately 25 miles north of the city of Marlinton.