Galaxy Forum Scarsdale 2022
Friday 30 September
@ Scarsdale High School
This year students at SHS got to enjoy the 10th Galaxy Forum at Scarsdale High School. Galaxy Forum highlighted the SHS Centennial Plaque which was dedicated to the school in 2017 and hangs outside the Science Department. It was presented to Science Department Chair Nicole Pisano and SHS Science Department for 21st Century science education and for hosting the Galaxy Forums since 2011.
The plaque honors the first 100 years since the schools’ founding (1917-2017), and the Galaxy Forum program future Centennial projected to be held annually at the school (2011-2111), with metal nameplates set for engraving through 2111 and beyond. It acts as a living time capsule, being added to each year symbolizing long-range commitment and future visions of science / space education excellence.
This year ILOA Galaxy Forum Director and SHS Class of 1961 Alum Steve Durst spoke during the Galaxy Forum about Milky Way Galaxy 21st Century Education and the ILOA precursor astronomy instruments set to land on the Moon in the Spring of 2023 aboard Intuitive Machines IM-1 mission via SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The payload will aim to capture the first ever pictures of the Milky Way Galaxy from the surface of the Moon.
Bailey Burns, a Systems Engineer at Paragon Space Development Corporation, was the featured presenter for Galaxy Forum 2022 and discussed her work and company efforts to advance the Artemis Generation (the next-generation of lunar explores after Apollo missions), the emerging Cislunar Space Age, and return to the Moon – for good!
Left to Right: Bailey Burns, Steve Durst, SHS Science Dept Chair Nicole Pisano
Galaxy Forum USA 2019: Scarsdale — Friday 11 October
“The Event Horizon Telescope and Imaging of Black Hole M87”
Scarsdale High School (SHS) Science Department Chair Nicole Pisano is again helping to coordinate the 9th Annual Galaxy Forum with featured speaker astrophysicist Christina Lacey for SHS students on the topic of the first ever image of black hole M87
Dr. Lacey’s stellar lecture was presented to 2 groups (150+) of interested SHS students:
And the Galaxy Forum 100-Year Plaque had Dr. Lacey’s name added as the 2019 presenter for the occasion:
SHS Head of Science Dept. Nicole Pisano, Dr. Christina Lacey, and SHS Alumn / Galaxy Forum Director Steve Durst in front of the SHS Galaxy Forum 100-Year Plaque
Galaxy Forum New York 2018 — 19 October at Scarsdale High School
Dr. Jackie Faherty spoke during the 8th Annual SHS Galaxy Forum on Mysteries of the Universe with Ultracool Objects, and Women in Astrophysics to 150+ science students at the High School and toured the Scarsdale High School Design Lab
Dr. Jackie Faherty and SHS students 
SHS Head of Science Dept. Nicole Pisano, Astrophysicist Dr. Jackie Faherty, and SHS Alumn / Galaxy Forum Director Steve Durst stand in front of the SHS Galaxy Forum 100-Year Plaque
SHS Design Lab
Galaxy Forum SHS, Scarsdale 2017
Friday 6 October @ The Little Theater, Scarsdale Public High School
The 7th annual Galaxy Forum SHS featured space advocate extraordinaire Rick Tumlinson of Deep Space Industries / New Worlds Institute / Orbital Outfitters / Space Frontier Foundation. He welcomed students to the revolution on the space frontier.
SHS Class of 1961 Alumni, including Steve Durst of ILOA, presented the Science Department with the SHS Galaxy Forum 2017 Centennial Plaque:
Presented to Scarsdale High School Science Department
For hosting SHS Galaxy Forum with ILOA Hawai`i
To advance 21st Century Science Education
During SHS Centennial Year 2017 – From SHS Class of 1961
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Galaxy Forum Scarsdale 2016 — New York
Friday 23 September @ The Little Theater, Scarsdale Public High School,
The event, with feature presentation by Dr. Bob Richards of International Space University and Moon Express as well as introductions by Steve Durst of Space Age Publishing Company, SHS Distinguished Alumni Class of 1961, was a great success with over 200 attendees. More details can be found in the article copied below.
Link: http://scarsdale10583.com/about-joomla/entertainment/5715-sixth-annual-galaxy-forum-at-shs
Background:
Galaxy Forum is the primary education and outreach initiative of ILOA, it is an architecture designed to advance 21st Century science, education, enterprise and development around the world.
Galaxy Forums are public events specifically geared towards high school teachers, educators, astronomers of all kinds, students and the general public. Presentations are provided by experts in the fields of astrophysics / galaxy research, space exploration and STEM education, as well as related aspects of culture and traditional knowledge. Interactive panel discussions allow for community participation and integration of local perspectives.
Stats:
- Almost 70 Galaxy Forums, with a total of about 300 presentations to date.
- Held in 26 locations worldwide including Hawaii, Silicon Valley, Canada, China, India, Southeast Asia, Japan, Europe, Africa, Chile, Brazil, Kansas and New York.
- Started with Galaxy Forum USA, July 4, 2008 in Silicon Valley, California.
International Lunar Observatory Association (ILOA) is an interglobal enterprise incorporated in Hawaii as a 501(c)(3) non-profit to expand human knowledge of the Cosmos through observation from our Moon and to participate in internationally cooperative lunar base build-out, with Aloha – the spirit of Hawai`i.
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Galaxy Forum New York 2015 — Scarsdale
Friday 4 December @ Little Theatre, Scarsdale High School, Scarsdale Public Schools
ILOA hosts the community of Scarsdale High School students, teachers, administrators and alums in the 1960, 1961 and 1962 Classes — at the 5th annual Galaxy Forum SHS.
The program features a New Horizons / Pluto System Special Presentation by Dr. Kimberly Ennico Smith. The mission is shedding new light on our understanding of the worlds at the edge of our solar system. Scientists hope to find answers to basic questions about the surface properties, geology, interior makeup and atmospheres on these systems. New Horizons will also visit one or more Kuiper Belt Objects beyond Pluto.
Galaxy Forums have been held in Hawaii, Silicon Valley, Canada, China, India, Southeast Asia, Japan, Europe, Africa, Chile, Brazil, Kansas and New York. Steve Durst organized Galaxy Forum Scarsdale
High School to bring this innovative 21st Century Education to his alma mater, celebrating 50th SHS 1961 Class Reunion with the 1st Galaxy Forum at SHS on September 23, 2011. The 50th SHS 1962 Reunion starting October 5, 2012, continued the Galaxy Forum SHS program with Jeff Hoffman, 5-time Shuttle Astronaut and SHS 1962 alum, sharing his experience repairing the Hubble Space Telescope. Galaxy Forum SHS 2013 featured Dr. Denton Ebel, Curator / Chair of the Dept of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the American Museum of Natural History in NYC speaking on Asteroids in Matters of Science, Resources and Security. Galaxy Forum SHS 2014 featured a science talk by Dr. Alan Stern, Principal Investigator on the New Horizons mission.
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Galaxy Forum New York 2014 – Scarsdale
Friday 10 October 2014 @ Little Theatre, Scarsdale High School, Scarsdale Public Schools
ILOA will again help host the community of Scarsdale High School students, teachers, administrators and alums in the 1960, 1961 and 1962 Classes — at the 4th annual Galaxy Forum SHS.
The program features a science talk by Dr. Alan Stern on the New Horizons mission currently traveling at 14.72 km/s almost 3.9 Billion kilometers from Earth on its way to explore Pluto and its moons. The mission, is expected to arrive July 14, 2015, will help us understand the icy worlds at the edge of our solar system. Scientists hope to find answers to basic questions about the surface properties, geology, interior makeup and atmospheres on these bodies. The mission will then visit one or more Kuiper Belt Objects beyond Pluto.
Galaxy Forums public events with presentations, panel discussions and attendee participation. Efforts are made to integrate local cultures, perspectives, and traditional knowledge. Galaxy Forums have been held in Hawaii, Silicon Valley, Canada, China, India, Southeast Asia, Japan, Europe, Africa, Chile, Brazil, Kansas and New York. Steve Durst organized Galaxy Forum Scarsdale to bring this innovative 21st Century Education to his alma mater.
Steve Durst celebrated his 50th SHS 1961 Class Reunion with the 1st Galaxy Forum at SHS on September 23 2011. The 50th SHS 1962 Reunion starting October 5, 2012, continued the Galaxy Forum SHS program with Jeff Hoffman, 5-time Shuttle Astronaut and SHS 1962 alum, sharing his experience repairing the Hubble Space Telescope. Galaxy Forum SHS 2013 featured Dr. Denton Ebel, Curator / Chair of the Dept of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the American Museum of Natural History in NYC speaking on Asteroids in matters of Science, Resources and Security.
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Galaxy Forum New York 2014 – Grand Central
Saturday 11 October 2014 (9:30am-Noon) @ Regency Room, Grand Hyatt at Grand Central, New York City
ILOA is expanding to “the City”, bringing Galaxy consciousness, awareness and understanding to one of the brightest cities on Earth, one where stars in the night sky are almost forgotten like long lost friends. This innovative program will explore new trajectories of 21st Century Galaxy Education and Exploration through multimedia experiences of art and architecture, light, sound and movement — as well as more traditional presentations on leading edge space enterprise.
The program features the New Horizons mission currently traveling at 14.72 km/s almost 3.9 Billion kilometers from Earth on its way to explore Pluto and its moons. The mission, is expected to arrive July 14, 2015, will help us understand the icy worlds at the edge of our solar system. Scientists hope to find answers to basic questions about the surface properties, geology, interior makeup and atmospheres on these bodies. The mission will then visit one or more Kuiper Belt Objects beyond Pluto.
FEATURE: New Horizons: NASA Mission to Explore the Outer Solar System — Dr. Alan Stern, Principal Investigator
[youtube http://youtu.be/xgchmMNxdxg&w=420&h=315]
ILOA 4 Moon Missions & Galaxy First Light Imaging — Steve Durst, Founding Director of ILOA / SPC
[youtube http://youtu.be/zKmWMdlfTk4&w=420&h=315]
Celestial Ceiling at Grand Central Terminal — Dr. Ron Janoff, local expert in NYC art
[youtube http://youtu.be/tlWOxuPmN1g&w=420&h=315]
Spaceflight 18: Take a Cosmic Joyride through Space — Eric “Captain Wally” Wallach
[youtube http://youtu.be/JtcaAkLUS1U&w=420&h=315]
Educators Panel Discussion
Optional Behind-the-Scenes Tour of GCT — led by “Docent in Chief” Danny Brucker
The public flier for the event is posted below. Please feel free to share this with those who might be interested in attending.
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Galaxy Forum New York 2013 – Scarsdale
Friday 11 October 2013 (morning) @ Little Theatre, Scarsdale High School, Scarsdale Public Schools
ILOA joined the community of Scarsdale High School students, teachers, administrators and alums in the 1960, 1961 and 1962 Classes — at the 3rd annual Galaxy Forum SHS.
Dr. Denton Ebel, Curator / Chair of the Dept of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the American Museum of Natural History in NYC gave the feature presentation on the current high-profile concern with Asteroids in matters of Science, Resources and Security.
Galaxy Forums public events with presentations, panel discussions and attendee participation. Efforts are made to integrate local cultures, perspectives, and traditional knowledge. Galaxy Forums have been held in Hawaii, Silicon Valley, Canada, China, India, Southeast Asia, Japan, Europe, Africa, Chile, Brazil, Kansas and New York. Steve Durst organized Galaxy Forum Scarsdale to bring this innovative 21st Century Education to his alma mater.
Steve Durst celebrated his 50th SHS 1961 Class Reunion with the 1st Galaxy Forum at SHS on September 23 2011. Last year’s 50th SHS 1962 Reunion starting October 5, 2012, continued the Galaxy Forum SHS program with Jeff Hoffman, 5-time Shuttle Astronaut and SHS 1962 alum, sharing his experience repairing the Hubble Space Telescope.
Plans are ongoing for a possible expansion of Galaxy Forum New York via collaboration with a prominent science education institution in New York City in 2014.
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Galaxy Forum New York 2012 – Scarsdale
Friday 5 October 2012 @ Little Theater, Scarsdale High School, Scarsdale Public Schools
Scarsdale High School students, teachers, administrators and community members joined ILOA to celebrated the 50th anniversary of alums in the 1962 class, which include Jeff Hoffman, 5-time Shuttle Astronaut who shared his experience repairing the Hubble Space Telescope with the forum.
Galaxy Forums are public events with presentations, panel discussions and attendee participation. Galaxy Education in every class — to expand Human understanding of the Cosmos through observation from the Moon — is the primary goal of our fast evolving outreach program that dates back to 2008. Steve Durst organized Galaxy Forum Scarsdale to bring this innovative 21st Century Education to his alma mater.
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Galaxy Forum New York 2011 – Scarsdale
Friday 23 September 2011 @ Scarsdale High School, Scarsdale Public Schools
(Credit: ILOA, NASA, SHS, Liu, Spitzer)
ILOA Founding Director, Steve Durst, returned to his high school to reinvest 21st Century Galaxy education resources on the 50th anniversary of the graduation of the Class of 1961.
This event was designed specifically for the students of the school, to boost their awareness, interest, and understanding of the Milky Way Galaxy and their place in it. The program for the event included:
Steve Durst of ILOA – Galaxy Forum: International Lunar Observatory Association
Jeff Hoffman of MIT, 5 time Shuttle Astronaut: Video Address
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEQ66B1eYwE]
Dr. Charles Liu of Hayden Planetarium & SUNY: Galaxy 21st Century Education
Our event was featured on the front page of the Scarsdale Inquirer: (click on image below for full-size hi-rez version)
Our Program for the event is shown below:
