B.V.I. Friday, April 3 – Members of the Junior Scientist Programme presented by the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports will participate in today’s Eye on the V.I. Skies: an evening of moon-watching and star-gazing for the whole family.
The members were invited to participate by Dr. Anthony O. Richards, manager of the Marine Centre Laboratories at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College. Their participation is in keeping with the programme’s aim to expose the members to opportunities and all fields of science which include areas and disciplines that are not within their immediate environment.
Assistant Director for the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, Mrs. Persia Tobin-Evelyn, said that the “exposure of our young people to the observance of the skies in this activity will heighten participants’ sense of awareness to their natural environment and by extension, the aim is to have individuals feel a sense of responsibility and urgency to keep these Virgin Islands beautiful,” she said.
In explaining the benefits of the junior scientists’ participation, coordinator Mr. Japhet Gordon said the programme has always aimed to assure the scientists work closely with science professionals.
“Being exposed to the professionals is in fact a birthmark of this programme and now participating in this International Year of Astronomy 2009 activity is indeed being in the presence of the professionals by harnessing the power of today’s technologies,” he said. “Who knows? Maybe of these juniors, one may become a leading astronomer one day,” Gordon continued.
Eyes on the V. I. Skies is being presented by the Ministry of Education and Culture through the office of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). The event will begin at 8 o’clock p.m. and end at 10:00 this eveningl at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College. Persons who attend will have the choice of viewing a live webcast from the world’s largest telescopes, while outside local astronomers will gather to share telescopes for moon-watching and star-gazing.
Eyes on the V. I skies is part of 100 Hours of Astronomy, the single largest event taking place during International Year of Astrology 2009 (IYA 2009). It is a worldwide celebration composed of a broad range of activities aimed at involving the public. The event will take place over four days and nights, from 2–5 April 2009. During this period, people from around the globe will share the experience of observing the sky. For many, it will be their first glimpse of the wonders of the heavens through a telescope. For others, it is the perfect opportunity to impart their knowledge and excitement, helping unveil the cosmos to fresh and eager eyes.
British Virgin Islands News