Integration of Dark Sky Education Efforts with Observatory EPO Programs.

Constance E. Walker (NOAO), Malcolm G. Smith (AURA and NOAO),
Dara J. Norman (NSF AAPF, NOAO), Stephen M. Pompea (NOAO),
David Orellana (RedLaser/CTIO), and Elizabeth M. Alvarez del Castillo
(International Dark-Sky Association).

Light pollution education has proven to be an ideal science education hook
that appeals to the general public as well as science students. Thus it is ideal
for education and public outreach (EPO) activities. It also has wide appeal in
environmental and aesthetic studies. Because of its wide educational applicability,
light trespass and sky brightness study programs can be used equally well in
formal and informal educational environments in both the USA and Chile.

The education and public outreach efforts of NOAO in Tucson and in Chile
have used dark-sky education in a variety of public outreach programs, such as
Project ASTRO-Tucson, Family ASTRO-Tucson, and ASTRO-Chile.
Educational materials from the International Dark Sky Association, the
Astronomical Society of the Pacific, and from the University of Arizona are used
in these programs. Dark sky education has also been incorporated into
educational products such as the Astronomy Village: Investigating the Universe
software package developed by NOAO science educators. NOAO North
education staff and its advisory teachers are currently examining models for
national dark sky education programs, in conjunction with the Chilean educators.

Chilean programs centered in La Serena have utilized a portable, inflatable
STARLAB planetarium on loan from the Gemini Project. This planetarium has
been used to demonstrate the effects of light contamination on the night sky to
pre-college and college students and teachers in the community. Within the first
three yeara of operation, over 65,000 school pupils and 1,000 teachers from 70
local schools took part in the planetarium presentations.

The 'Red Chilena de Astronomía' (Chilean Astronomy Network) has conducted
outreach activities and has workgroups cooperating with the national Office for
the Protection of the Skies of Chile (OPCC). These efforts have aided the birth
of the Chilean section of IDA (International Dark-Sky Association). The
Mamalluca Municipal Observatory and the RedLaSer educational group have
been active in dark-sky education. These programs will be discussed in detail in
our poster.