Megan Collins ENG
336.001
Every Sunday at Frostburg State
University in the Compton building there is an event that happens which helps
to expand on knowledge of both astronomy and the animal world. This event
starts at 4p.m in room 224 and then travels down to the Discovery Center on the
first floor. Dr. Robert Doyle associate professor in the Department of Physics
and Engineering, and Nicholas Wilson curator of Frostburg Science Discovery Center
in the College of Liberal Arts and Science department, try to keep things
interesting to not only the students who are there for numerous reasons such as
interest and extra credit, but also the locals from town and people who have
traveled miles to visit their families. In case there is an emergency and
Nicholas Wilson cannot be there he leaves the Discovery Center in the hands of the
docents of the Discovery Center who are trained to occasionally lead the tours.
When asked about how the idea of science Sundays began Nicholas Wilson said “Dr.
Doyle got the idea, it originated from him doing the planetarium programs and
wanting to expand upon different subjects within science in order to attract a
more diverse group of visitors” because, “it’s a regular outreach program for
diverse audiences to educate about astronomy and draw connections with the
natural world here on earth.” Dr. Doyle says that “Science Sundays started a few years ago when I had
been doing tours of the Discovery Center following my 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Planetarium programs. We had a nice poster designed by Ann Townsell to
advertise this 'Double Feature'. Now the poster is updated and tweaked
each year by Joni Smith (both Ann & Joni are graphic design people who
work out of the P.R. Office.” He explained that his inspiration was “largely
unknown to the general public and we needed to have a poster to promote both
the Planetarium and Discovery Center. Some visitors to the Discovery Center
thought that our facility in some ways was superior to the Smithsonian in Washington,
particularly in regard to the interaction between the visitors and the docents.
Also you can see the specimens much closer than in a big city museum where the
preserved animals are behind glass or Plexiglas.” The reason he combined the
use of constellations with the Discovery Center for a program was because “in
the absence of the Planetarium, I wanted to have some way to present the
current evening sky to our visitors at Science Sunday. So I added some sky info
to the main feature (focused on different specimens) in the Discovery Center.”
Through all the hard work it is important to take pleasure in the things that
are being done as much as possible and Dr. Doyle does just that by working on
the things he is passionate about. Dr. Doyle’s favorite part of Science Sunday
is both showing the PowerPoint presentations and listening to Nick or one of
the docents talk about the displays and says “these two parts complement each
other very well. I am hoping to work with the Discovery Center for years to
come, even after the new Planetarium opens up.” Dr. Doyle’s favorite part of
the display is the leopard in the tree branches with his meal.
From a student perspective the event is a success.
Two students, Alyssa and Ryan, were particularly interested Science Sundays. Alyssa
Ballard a junior with a major in liberal studies from Odenton, Maryland said she
would recommend others to attend the event and “yes, because it was actually
interesting and better than I expected” and “I thought that it was well put
together and was interesting so I didn’t get bored. I’ve gone twice already and
learned something new every time.” An interesting fact that Alyssa said she learned
was that “the reason why elephants ears are so big is because it’s so hot the
ears provide a source of ventilation to cool themselves down and that polar
bears skin is actually black to help absorb heat and their fur is not white.” Ryan
Kasprzyk is a junior with a major in computer sciences from laurel, Maryland, said
“I felt that the program was an excellent example of the Frostburg’s science
department making good use of the facilities available to them to provide
engaging tours and lectures.” An interesting fact that Ryan said he learned was
“that there are deer with tusks.”
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