If you’ve been following our solar eclipse blog posts this year then you’re familiar with our eclipse expert, Ken Brandt, from the Robeson Planetarium and Science Center in Lumberton. We told you a few weeks back (and Ken wrote in an introductory post) that he had been honored by the International Planetarium Society to go to Italy as a science teaching ambassador. We are so pleased to be able to follow Ken’s teaching adventures and Italian explorations right here on the NC Science Trail Science Blog.
Exploring the world is a big deal, whether you do it in your back yard, or on the other side of the planet. It gives you a different perspective and helps you see where you fit in. It helps you connect to people with similar interests. It helps you find your place in the world.
Follow Ken here for the next few weeks as he shares his adventures with us. Take it away Ken!
Days One and Two: Roma!
Recall from my earlier blog post that I have returned to Roma, after having visited briefly during my naval career.
What can you say about Rome that hasn’t been said? Let’s start with first impressions: everything about Rome, right down to the cobblestone streets, and the occasional Roman Empire Road, screams ANCIENT! Bits of Rome’s history are to be seen everywhere. Some things impressed more others: the sheer scale of the Pantheon, among other things.
Also impressive: crowds- which I don’t remember dealing with as much in the late 70’s. Everywhere you turn, another architectural delight shows up, whether it be an obelisk, or a fountain.
The Trevi fountain is also way bigger than you can capture in an image.
All too soon, we were leaving Rome and boarded our train to Perugia. Upon arrival, our host, Simonetta Ercoli cooked up a full Italian dinner: multi bene!
The next morning I was ready to teach Astronomy at the Assisi Academia, but not before honoring a “tradition”: the selfie on Simonetta’s back porch, looking down to Perugia and Assisi.
Then, it was off to Assisi for lessons about kinesthetic astronomy and Perseverance on Mars.
Have you ever wondered what science students in other countries are like?
Well, the students here are respectful and quiet, but sometimes it is hard to get them to ask questions. Still, I managed to loosen them up before finishing with them!
Then, it was off to sightsee in Perugia-and what amazing sites!
We did a lot of walking, such as along this road into central Perugia.
We visited several cathedrals, and saw many beautiful artifacts.
In short, we saw and did many things today. Tomorrow, after teaching, we’ll tour Assisi.
Thanks for joining us for Ken’s first bit of teaching and tour in Italy. Here on the Science Trail we see science in everything we do – everywhere we look – and we want you to see that too! We are blown away by the fact that Ken is teaching astronomy, but his days are filled with exploring architecture and archaeology. There are so many facets to our world, and it never gets dull.
Keep exploring friends!
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Ken Brandt directs the Robeson Planetarium and Science Center in Lumberton, NC. He is a volunteer in NASA’s Solar System Ambassador Program. He is also a member of the 3rd cohort of NC Space Grant Ambassadors, and an Ambassador for the Mars Society.