The Friends of Pine Mountain Observatory (FOPMO) outreach program, The Electronic Universe, provides a multi-faceted enrichment experience for all grade levels of students and teachers plus a component for the general public. The mission is to provide authentic space science experiences where participants can be involved with the process of science by making observations, analyzing data, and drawing rational conclusions within the context of modern astrophysics. Extensive classroom outreach introduces students and teachers to digital technologies and how measurements of brightness and position are used to physically characterize distant objects. Students are encouraged to perform authentic research projects with data from the Pine Mountain Observatory and from other professional facilities.

Staff development workshops help teachers to present the basic State Earth in Space curriculum goals/benchmarks, learn about current astrophysical technologies and discoveries, and practice inquiry-based pedagogies. FOPMO provide on-site tours of the Pine Mountain Observatory for classes and the general public. Materials are provided, including a new series of virtual physics labs and a virtual representation of Sun-Earth-Moon via web resources. During the school year, FOPMO sends out a monthly newsletter regarding developments in astrophysical discoveries, suggestions for observational projects, and suggestions for teaching strategies to over 400 educators.

Oregon Space Grant Consortium proudly sponsors The Electronic Universe outreach program. If you would like a presenter to visit your classroom, bringing software, hardware, and associated activities for your students to learn about the physics of deep space, contact Rick Kang at rkang@efn.org or via phone at (541) 683-1381.