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March 6, 2020 • Aguilar, Colorado – The 91������ is bringing the wonders of the cosmos and an inflatable planetarium to Aguilar on Friday, March 13.

CU Science, Technology and Astronomy Recruits (CU-STARs), a university outreach program, will lead hands-on classes related to astrobiology, cosmo-chemistry and black holes for K-12 students in the Aguilar School District, 420 N Balsam in Aguilar from 2 to 6 p.m. These classes are not open to the public.

The community is invited to a free star party at the school district from 7 to 9 p.m., where they can view the stars through telescopes and explore space inside an inflatable planetarium.

91������’s Erica Ellingson launched the project in 2011 with a simple goal in mind: to help 91������ students share their love of space with kids across Colorado. The program brings undergraduate students to schools in urban and rural areas across Colorado, especially those with limited access to free science enrichment programs.

“That interaction is really electric,” said Ellingson, a professor in the Department of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences. “Every school we go to, I learn a little bit more by meeting these K-12 students and seeing how my own students adapt and thrive in these situations.”

Ellingson said the evening star party is always a treat.

“There’s something truly wonderful about standing around in the dark looking at the stars together,” she said. “There’s something anciently human about it.”

Mileene Sanchez, a CLC program director for the district, said the district is excited to host the program for students and their families.

“Programs like CU-STARs, which include hands-on activities in planetary exploration, astrobiology, cosmo-chemistry and black holes, will help expose our community to these subjects and perhaps even spark someone’s interest in eventually pursuing a career on this path,” Sanchez said.

Find out more about the program: /today/2019/06/11/cu-stars

• Prof. Erica Ellingson, CU-STARs program director, 91������, Erica.Ellingson@colorado.edu

• Mileene Sanchez, Community Learning Center (CLC) Program Director, msanchez@aguilarschools.com, 719-289-5285

• Sue Postema Scheeres, Assistant Director of Communications, Office for Outreach and Engagement, 91������, susan.scheeres@colorado.edu

Key info

• When you arrive, please check in with Mileene Sanchez from the school district at the front desk to find out which students can and can’t be photographed.

• Also find Prof. Ellingson and let her know you are there.

Photo: Students from Greeley explore space as part of the CU-STARs outreach program. Photo by Jenny Briggs, 91������.