Maryland Day 2025!! Call for Volunteers
1 view
Skip to first unread message
Elizabeth M Warner
Apr 8, 2025, 10:50:26 AM4/8/25
to
Hello Dept of Astronomy & Friends of the Department!
MD Day #27 is coming up very soon on Sat 26 April. The Department of Astronomy will be set up under a tent (with several other CMNS departments) on the front lawn of Glenn L Martin Hall. Once again we are looking for *your help* to staff our activity tables. Anyone and everyone is invited to help!
Faculty, staff, grads, undergrads, majors, non-majors are all eligible/invited/encouraged to participate.
What is MD Day? https://marylandday.umd.edu/
MD Day #27 is coming up very soon on Sat 26 April. The Department of Astronomy will be set up under a tent (with several other CMNS departments) on the front lawn of Glenn L Martin Hall. Once again we are looking for *your help* to staff our activity tables. Anyone and everyone is invited to help!
Faculty, staff, grads, undergrads, majors, non-majors are all eligible/invited/encouraged to participate.
What is MD Day? https://marylandday.umd.edu/
https://marylandday.umd.edu/events?collegeSchools=cmns&search=astronomy
This year, we have four activities:
-- Ask an Astronomer
Astronomy faculty and students answer your perplexing astronomy-related questions.
-- Fingerprinting the Universe
Each person has a unique fingerprint. Each chemical element in our bodies and the universe also has a unique fingerprint that is encoded in light. Learn how astronomers study the skies using different wavelengths of light and how they decode the light to unravel the mysteries of the universe.
-- Solar Observing
Take a safe look at the big yellow (or red, depending on the filter) ball in our sky through telescopes with observatory staff.
-- Looking Into the Cosmos
Join the AstroTerps, the Terrapin Astronomy Society, to explore the familiar and not-so-familiar sights of the universe. How many can you identify?
Maryland Day runs from 10a-4p. There is some setup time (early) as well as post-event take down. To make it easy to sign up, we have an online Google doc, please take a look at
This year, we have four activities:
-- Ask an Astronomer
Astronomy faculty and students answer your perplexing astronomy-related questions.
-- Fingerprinting the Universe
Each person has a unique fingerprint. Each chemical element in our bodies and the universe also has a unique fingerprint that is encoded in light. Learn how astronomers study the skies using different wavelengths of light and how they decode the light to unravel the mysteries of the universe.
-- Solar Observing
Take a safe look at the big yellow (or red, depending on the filter) ball in our sky through telescopes with observatory staff.
-- Looking Into the Cosmos
Join the AstroTerps, the Terrapin Astronomy Society, to explore the familiar and not-so-familiar sights of the universe. How many can you identify?
Maryland Day runs from 10a-4p. There is some setup time (early) as well as post-event take down. To make it easy to sign up, we have an online Google doc, please take a look at
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/132qofN8DX-qiV_FAlFfdI1xUwnYjEgz9R_rgBhuE9hI/edit?usp=sharing
though!). The second is for your t-shirt request, but we do ask that you sign up for at least 1 hour.
Please put your name into each slot that you can work. If you cannot help on Saturday, there are also some hours the day
before as well as the week following. (And if you plan on working the entire day with us or a significant portion, please let me know!)
I will be available Wed 9 April for t-shirt distribution!
Questions? Please email me!
--
Clear Skies!
********************
Elizabeth M Warner
UMD Obs Director
warn...@astro.umd.edu
301-405-6555
********************
Questions? Please email me!
--
Clear Skies!
********************
Elizabeth M Warner
UMD Obs Director
warn...@astro.umd.edu
301-405-6555
********************
Elizabeth M Warner
Apr 21, 2025, 2:00:50 PM4/21/25
to
Thank you to everyone who has signed up so far!!
But we still have plenty of volunteer spots left.
I am trying to hand out t-shirts this week for those on campus. Otherwise, you'll be able to grab your t-shirt when you show up for your shift.
Here's the link to the online Google doc:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/132qofN8DX-qiV_FAlFfdI1xUwnYjEgz9R_rgBhuE9hI/edit?usp=sharing
though!). The second is for your t-shirt request, but we do ask that you sign up for at least 1 hour.
Elizabeth M Warner
Apr 25, 2025, 6:20:24 PM4/25/25
to
Good afternoon Maryland Day Volunteers!
I want to thank all of the faculty, staff, students, and friends who
have volunteered to help with Maryland Day 2025 in some capacity. THANK
YOU!
The BIG day, Maryland Day #27, is tomorrow Sat 26 April!
Please be sure to check the schedule for your time slot!
have volunteered to help with Maryland Day 2025 in some capacity. THANK
YOU!
The BIG day, Maryland Day #27, is tomorrow Sat 26 April!
Please be sure to check the schedule for your time slot!
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/132qofN8DX-qiV_FAlFfdI1xUwnYjEgz9R_rgBhuE9hI/edit?usp=sharing
TRAINING: Have had questions about getting trained... training is on the spot! Come a few minutes early, listen to the spiel, and then take over. The activities are fairly straightforward, not alot of technical or jargon. As for the solar observing, not looking good, probably not going to be able to observe the sun, but we'll have maybe smaller scopes setup to show visitors, maybe point to some building across campus.
T-SHIRTS: Volunteers get a t-shirt! (while supplies last). If you haven't picked up your t-shirt, don't worry, I will have the t-shirts with me tomorrow and you'll be able to get it when you show
up for your shift.
WHERE: We are in the easternmost of the large tents in front of
Glenn L. Martin Hall along Campus Dr (closer to Rt 1). We will have half
the tent. If you are on the early set up shift, please try to arrive at
8:30 (or earlier!) to help set up the tables and get them covered. We'll
also be setting up the poster frames and table covers in the morning.
T-SHIRTS: Volunteers get a t-shirt! (while supplies last). If you haven't picked up your t-shirt, don't worry, I will have the t-shirts with me tomorrow and you'll be able to get it when you show
up for your shift.
WHERE: We are in the easternmost of the large tents in front of
Glenn L. Martin Hall along Campus Dr (closer to Rt 1). We will have half
the tent. If you are on the early set up shift, please try to arrive at
8:30 (or earlier!) to help set up the tables and get them covered. We'll
also be setting up the poster frames and table covers in the morning.
In fact, if I could get 1 volunteer to arrive by 8:15ish to just watch stuff after I drop off and while I go park my truck, that would be great!
WHEN: (Set up/first morning shift) Meet at the tent! (if you can by
8:30, otherwise by 9) Although MD Day doesn't technically start until
10am, they expect us to be ready really early each year. Drop off
vehicles have to be removed from sidewalks by 9am! And they want us
ready by 9:30 (or earlier) for those early bird visitors. That means
I'll be dropping off stuff for the tables at 8:15ish.
WHEN: (During the day) Please arrive about 5-10 minutes before your
shift. This is to give some overlap so that you can learn the spiel for
the activity, get a little hands-on training in the activity, but it really is pretty
simple. *We are here to extol the awesomeness of astronomy and our
department!*
If you have forgotten the hours you signed up for, you can review at
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/132qofN8DX-qiV_FAlFfdI1xUwnYjEgz9R_rgBhuE9hI/edit?usp=sharing
WHEN: (Late afternoon/closing) Pick up trash, organize/collect
materials, take down posters, take apart poster frames, load stuff in my
truck, stack tables and chairs.
FOOD?
Unless you can volunteer all day, lunch is on your own, but Stamp and
many of the other regular food places will be open. There may be some
food trucks around as well.
WEATHER?
Forecast looks ... cloudy. Well, not the greatest forecast. I'm seeing light rain in the morning getting heavier in the afternoon. But warm...
http://clearoutside.com/forecast/38.99/-76.94?view=midnight
DRESS
Wear your Maryland Day t-shirt! If you don't have it yet, you'll be able
to pick it up before your shift, just find me (I will be monitoring our
area.) Comfortable shoes are also recommended. Lots of standing (luckily
on grass), but if you go explore the rest of the events, it is a great
deal of walking.
PARKING
Normal parking spots are free and open. If you don't have an HC tag
don't park in an HC space. https://marylandday.umd.edu/ (scroll down for
directions)... Given all the construction on and around campus, if you can metro, bike, or walk there, those might be best.
EXPLORE
We would love to have you spend your entire day with us, but we want you
to see all of the other cool stuff happening on campus! Be sure to give
yourself time to explore the other events before or after your shift
because there are lots of neat things going on around here.
SOCIAL?
Please use #MarylandDay , #MDdayAstro
Twitter
@UMDAstronomy
@UM_Obs
also good to know/have are @UMDscience, @UMDResearch, & @UofMaryland
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/umdastro
https://www.facebook.com/UMObservatory
PHOTOS
Please take and share your pics!
We want everyone to enjoy MD Day, both working at our displays and
exploring the rest of the events.
Thank you for volunteering and participating.
My cell phone: 703-587-0181 (I'll try to have the ringer turned up, but....)
--
********************
Elizabeth M Warner
warn...@astro.umd.edu
301-405-6555
UMD Astro Obs Dir.
& webmaster for too many sites
********************
WHEN: (Set up/first morning shift) Meet at the tent! (if you can by
8:30, otherwise by 9) Although MD Day doesn't technically start until
10am, they expect us to be ready really early each year. Drop off
vehicles have to be removed from sidewalks by 9am! And they want us
ready by 9:30 (or earlier) for those early bird visitors. That means
I'll be dropping off stuff for the tables at 8:15ish.
WHEN: (During the day) Please arrive about 5-10 minutes before your
shift. This is to give some overlap so that you can learn the spiel for
the activity, get a little hands-on training in the activity, but it really is pretty
simple. *We are here to extol the awesomeness of astronomy and our
department!*
If you have forgotten the hours you signed up for, you can review at
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/132qofN8DX-qiV_FAlFfdI1xUwnYjEgz9R_rgBhuE9hI/edit?usp=sharing
WHEN: (Late afternoon/closing) Pick up trash, organize/collect
materials, take down posters, take apart poster frames, load stuff in my
truck, stack tables and chairs.
FOOD?
Unless you can volunteer all day, lunch is on your own, but Stamp and
many of the other regular food places will be open. There may be some
food trucks around as well.
WEATHER?
Forecast looks ... cloudy. Well, not the greatest forecast. I'm seeing light rain in the morning getting heavier in the afternoon. But warm...
http://clearoutside.com/forecast/38.99/-76.94?view=midnight
DRESS
Wear your Maryland Day t-shirt! If you don't have it yet, you'll be able
to pick it up before your shift, just find me (I will be monitoring our
area.) Comfortable shoes are also recommended. Lots of standing (luckily
on grass), but if you go explore the rest of the events, it is a great
deal of walking.
PARKING
Normal parking spots are free and open. If you don't have an HC tag
don't park in an HC space. https://marylandday.umd.edu/ (scroll down for
directions)... Given all the construction on and around campus, if you can metro, bike, or walk there, those might be best.
EXPLORE
We would love to have you spend your entire day with us, but we want you
to see all of the other cool stuff happening on campus! Be sure to give
yourself time to explore the other events before or after your shift
because there are lots of neat things going on around here.
SOCIAL?
Please use #MarylandDay , #MDdayAstro
@UMDAstronomy
@UM_Obs
also good to know/have are @UMDscience, @UMDResearch, & @UofMaryland
https://www.facebook.com/umdastro
https://www.facebook.com/UMObservatory
PHOTOS
Please take and share your pics!
We want everyone to enjoy MD Day, both working at our displays and
exploring the rest of the events.
Thank you for volunteering and participating.
My cell phone: 703-587-0181 (I'll try to have the ringer turned up, but....)
--
********************
Elizabeth M Warner
warn...@astro.umd.edu
301-405-6555
UMD Astro Obs Dir.
& webmaster for too many sites
********************
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages