Star Lab Day


Last Friday, on an evening with a brilliant yellow fingernailofGod Moon, I volunteered in my good friend's first grade class. That day was to be Star Lab Day and tension hung in the air like mountain fog. The students' constant obsession, the teachers' reluctant preparation, the giant plastic dome sprawling across the media center floor jiggling with blown air, fear and wonder colliding.


The day began routine enough for the students and their charming teacher, Mrs. B. Scrambled moments of homework return, morning greetings and the pledge of allegiance signaled the starting line of this first grade day. Yet today also delivered the wonderful questions of confusion marked by large attentive eyes commonly known as Star Lab mania. Standing firm in her position, like the Captain of a rowdy vessel, Mrs. B guided the sea of minds with masterly command and gentle care .Mother to 18 bouncing heads, her movements are quick but her tongue quicker. One tandrum quailed with soft understanding nods while an ambush to the side simmers in reflection of lost rewards. My role is simple in this erratic ballet, I float and I push the other dancers along.



The hour then peaks with midday in sky, while inside the darkness pulls in eager minds. Ahead of the gang with time to prepare, I crawl through the cold opening of plastic and air. Flashlights in hand, in slow pointed steps, I explore the small meadow under an electric night. Large points of light steal the gaze while fainter sisters wait patiently for the adjusting eye. By fours bodies enter, giggling and rushed, as my lightbeam directs them to crowded carpet spots. Squeals of delight mask fearful faces, questions and comments racing across the dome like invisible comets of hot air. It is hot and stuffy with 20+ bodies, the heat of the projector only absorbing the chill of the mighty blowers. Yet in the heat and darkness and noise, adventurous scenes captivate the gazers. Points of light once distinct now merge to form shapes of beauty and beasts alike. A dipper awakens into the Big Bear, the familar W of Casseopia outlines her eternal crown. Cygnus dives deep into the dark West while Orion stands tall,his bright nosed puppy in toe. Hands on the head in V-like form, for powerful horns, we spot Taurus the Bull dodging the two hunters in their rythmic chase. With arching observation we see the moon's path as the remaining zodiac animals parade through the night.

In the heat and the darkness and the noise, wonder strikes. Eyes to the heavens and minds in a blaze, each gazer promises tonight they will look up! Though only electric points of light on thin floating plastic, the radiance and glory of the beyond shine through. First grade or 34, each soul gains the lightness of experiencing the night. Once feared and avoided, now embraced and explored. This is the mission of the Star Lab. And today, this mission was mine.





Yaniel, Katie and I at a telescope event with an amazing Space Shuttle inflatable slide!! March 2010