Monrovia’s Bradoaks Elementary Students Explore Night Sky During Inaugural Moon Party

Bradoaks Elementary second-grader Brendon Roseheld onto the lens of a powerful telescope and searched the stars for a glimpseof Saturn, Jupiter and Venus during a “Telescopes in the Sky” Moon Party familyevent that celebrated the school’s effort to transition to a science emphasisschool.

“I always thought that Jupiter was one of thesmallest planets in the solar system,” Rose said. “I actually learned thatJupiter is the biggest planet when I looked at it through the telescope.”

Clifton Middle School science teacher TomTraeger is a member of the Monrovia Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers, whichpartnered with Bradoaks Elementary to host the Nov. 7 event.

“Our members come from all walks of life; I am ateacher, some of our members are scientists, some are engineers, some areretired and some are people who just have a love of the night sky,” Traegersaid. “The purpose of the event is to give the Bradoaks community an eveningwhere they can learn about astronomical objects like Saturn, Jupiter, Venus,and the Moon that are in the evening sky.”

Refreshments were provided while students andtheir families looked at the night sky through four telescopes provided by theSidewalk Astronomers.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for ourstudents and parents to learn and explore together,” Board of EducationPresident Ed Gililland said. “Monrovia Unified is dedicated to the academic andpersonal growth of our students, and events like this shine a light on thatfocus.”

“Telescopes in the Sky” is just one example ofthe many science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) focused events thatBradoaks Elementary plans to implement as it transitions to a science emphasisschool.

“Transitioning to a science emphasis school willfoster a love of STEM education in our students and prepare them for pathwaysin engineering, computer science, math and much more,” Principal JayneNickles said. “We are grateful to our community partners who help us put onthese special events for our students and their families.”

“Monrovia Unified wants to expand the lensthrough which our students see the world, and what better way than by providingthem with a glimpse of the world beyond the terrestrial?” Superintendent Dr.Katherine Thorossian said. “Thank you to our teachers, community partners andfamilies for supporting memorable enrichment opportunities.”