Jim Rock
Kapemni Indigenous Astrophysics: How a Turtle and a Rattlesnake Taught Me to Predict Eclipses
Wednesday, Oct 8, 2:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m.
St. Paul Ballroom – Delta Hotel
About Jim Rock
Jim Rock (Dakota). Director of Indigenous Programming for the Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium at the University of Minnesota Duluth (retired June ’23), where he taught the Native Skywatchers ethno- and archaeoastronomy course in the Physics/Astronomy and Honors Departments. As co-author of a D/(L)akota Star Map Constellation Guide (2012), his goal is to “Indigenize and digitize the skies.” Since 2015, he presented Indigenous star knowledge in a touring 30 feet portable GeoDome planetarium in several languages to many thousands annually. He gave live domecasts from Turtle Island(North America) and around the globe with satellite data that allows us to see the changing Earth from space, and space from Earth. He was co-advisor for UMD AISES (American Indian Science & Engineering Society) and previously designed/taught a summer program for UM Twin Cities AISES/Andogiikendasowin Program (1992-2007).
Rock studied chemical engineering and taught physics, chemistry, astronomy and graduate education courses and American Indian Philosophy & Religion courses for Augsburg and Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College, UM/Twin Cities and the University of St. Thomas. Rock was the principal investigator and designed the first Native American experiment aboard NASA’s last space shuttle STS-135 Atlantis in 2011. He was a member of NASA’s Beautiful Earth Team and a consultant with NOAA’s World Views Network, the 106 Group, an exhibit designer and consultant at the Science Museum of Minnesota, founding governing councilmember of Makoce Ikikcupi, founder and board member/chair of Dream of Wild Health and boardmember of the Maya Society of Minnesota. Rock is an activist and author on archaeo- and ethno-astronomy and environmental education for sacred sites restoration issues for Wakan Tipi Cave and Interpretive Center at the Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary in St. Paul. He received the 2023 Wakan Tipi Awanyankapi Environmental Award.
Dr. Shannon Schmoll
Astronomy Update
Friday, Oct 10, 1:00-2:00 p.m.
St. Paul Ballroom – Delta Hotel
The Astronomy Update Lecture provides the latest astronomical information, investigates what has changed in the past year, and explores current theories on the workings of the Universe.
About Dr. Shannon Schmoll
Dr. Shannon Schmoll is the director of the Abrams Planetarium at Michigan State University where she has been working to expand both astronomy programming and learning of other subjects under the dome.
She earned a joint PhD in Astronomy and Astrophysics and Education from the University of Michigan in 2013. Her research has focused on extending learning beyond the dome planetarium shows. She was a member of the first cohorts of the Astronomy in Chile Educator Ambassadors program and of Mission Patagonia to learn about major observatories and conservation efforts in Chile, respectively. She currently serves as president-elect of the International Planetarium Society where her goals include building capacity for planetarium education research.
Bob Bonadurer
Spitz Lecture - The Planetarium: An Essential Experience
Friday, Oct 10, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Horizon Hall – Bell Museum
Experiences our visitors take in under our domes are diverse and vast. I surmise they stretch as far as the cosmos itself. Though I may be a bit subjective, I feel everyone, especially curious young kids, absolutely must visit their local planetarium and witness the majesty of a dark clear sky filled with stars.
What led me to this astronomical declaration? Like many of you, I have had struggles communicating to the powers that be what makes a planetarium so damn important. I offer you three stories that have helped me express the values of the Planetarium. They are experiences that have warmed my astronomical heart immensely.
The Spitz Lecture is named after planetarium pioneer Armand N. Spitz. Criteria for selecting the Spitz Lecturer include individuals who, in the words of Armand N. Spitz, “…have creative imaginations in this field and the courage to visualize the achievement of ideals in a practical way by the use of the planetarium instrument” and “…who are not afraid to acknowledge that they have a dream.”
About Bob Bonadurer
Robert Bonadurer, Planetarium Director at the Daniel M. Soref Planetarium in the Milwaukee Public Museum—and soon to be Nature & Culture Museum of Wisconsin. He has shared the marvels and mysteries of the universe to countless students and audiences. He has produced and directed over 30 astronomy shows and films for national and international distribution. One of his shows has won an international scriptwriting award. Bonadurer’s recent productions include:
➢ The Artistic Universe
➢ Cosmic Questions
➢ Stargazers of Africa
His original live Valentine’s show for couples, Romancing the Stars, has been an annual success for many years. Mr. Bonadurer has hosted numerous astronomical events and tours. He has helped with, or led, total solar eclipse tours to Aruba, Greece, Zambia, Italy, Illinois, Chile, and Texas.
He has worked on many educational grants from NASA and can also be found in the local media helping to explain the most recent astronomical discovery or spectacular sky event. Mr. Bonadurer is a native of La Crosse, Wisconsin and has served as directors of the Minneapolis Planetarium and University of Texas at Arlington. He is also a past President, Secretary/Treasurer, and Development Chair of the Great Lakes Planetarium Association.