Women’s Board hosts fundraiser to support astronomy internship

Women's Board members enjoy a reception during their "Fly Me to the Moon" fundraiser.

The Women’s Board of Lake Erie Nature & Science Center held a fundraising event, “Fly Me to the Moon,” on Oct. 9 with proceeds benefiting the Center’s astronomy internship. Guests enjoyed a program about Humans in Space in Schuele Planetarium presented by Planetarium and Program Coordinator Katy Downing, and a bountiful post-program reception.

The Women’s Board has a long history of supporting and advocating for the Center’s mission through service, community awareness, and fundraising. Funds from the “Fly Me to the Moon” fundraiser will support a stipend for a future astronomy intern.

The Center’s Astronomy and Space Science Education Internship offers a unique opportunity for college students to gain career experience in one of two public-access planetariums in Cuyahoga County. Working alongside program staff, interns assist with public astronomy education, learn about current mission news and astronomical research, and become familiar with planetarium technology. The combination of an opti-mechanical star projector and digital projector in Schuele Planetarium provides an immersive learning experience through high-resolution, 360-degree images and a realistic, breathtaking display of over 3,000 stars.

The internship experience is complemented by the many space science programs offered at the Center. Interns learn to present information to visitors of all ages, including Twinkle Tots for toddlers and Astronomy Club for teenagers and adults.

“The highlight of my internship experience at the Center was the wide variety of programs offered that allowed for space science education to happen both inside the planetarium and outdoors,” shared former intern Ethan Willis of Bowling Green State University.

Applications are currently being accepted for the Center’s Astronomy and Space Science Education Internship. To learn more and apply, visit www.lensc.org/internship-programs. To become involved with the Center’s Women’s Board, contact 440-871-2900.

Morgan Paskert

Morgan Paskert is on staff at Lake Erie Nature & Science Center.

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Volume 14, Issue 22, Posted 10:09 AM, 11.15.2022