EAC’s Discovery Park Campus hosts members of the 2022 San Carlos Nowhi ni’ nlt eego anlsih “Take Care of Our Land” Natural Resource Youth Practicum Camp

EAC Photo: Eastern Arizona College’s Discovery Park Campus was honored to share an afternoon of astronomy-based lessons with the Natural Resource Youth Practicum Camp last week. The camp, titled “Nowhi ni’ nlt eego anlsih” in Apache, is designed to provide a study of scientific principles and cultural heritage (with perspectives of today), to help mold youth into future leaders. 

Contributed Article/Courtesy EAC

Thatcher – Eastern Arizona College’s Discovery Park Campus was honored to share an afternoon of astronomy-based lessons with the Natural Resource Youth Practicum Camp last week. The camp, titled “Nowhi ni’ nlt eego anlsih” in Apache, is designed to provide a study of scientific principles and cultural heritage (with perspectives of today), to help mold youth into future leaders.

The astronomy lessons shared during the visit included learning about the 20” Tinsley Telescope in the Gov Aker Observatory with guest instructor, John Ratje, retired director of the Mt. Graham International Observatory, member of the Desert SkyGazers Astronomy Club, and telescope operator for the EAC Discovery Park Campus.

Students also viewed an educational video about the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT) — the largest and most powerful telescope in the world (located at the Mt. Graham International Observatory on Mt. Graham) – and talked about what is in the night skies: stars, planets, and galaxies, with EAC Discovery Park Campus director, Paul Anger. 

The final activity included a ride on the Discovery Park Space Shuttle simulator “Polaris,” operated by Discovery Park Campus secretary, Monica Clarine, where the students were able to virtually visit many of the known planets and moons in our solar system.

“These boys and girls were a pleasure to work with,” said Anger. “They were excited to learn about the hidden world of space and astronomy and had a lot of great questions. We look forward to participating in the Natural Resource Youth Practicum Camps in the future!”

For more information on the activities available at EAC’s Discovery Park Campus, or tour information for the telescopes at the Mount Graham International Observatory, contact EAC’s Discovery Park Campus at (928) 428-6260 or email discoverypark@eac.edu, or go to www.eac.edu/discoverypark.