For Mohsen Janatpour, a longtime professor of astronomy at the University of San Mateo, teaching science is a hands-on activity, and the university’s Centennial Science Week is an opportunity for families and children to experience astrology and other sciences. increase.

The week-long event at CSM is an extension of the annual Family Science Day, featuring several new planets aimed at science demonstrations to give children a unique and tangible introduction to science beyond just reading. Features a program.

“My initial goal is to raise public awareness of science,” said Janatpour. “That’s my underlying motivation.”

Family Science Day is held on the last Saturday of September each year, where young people and families can learn about astronomy and other sciences. More than 1,700 people attended Family Science Day on Sept. 24, and more are expected this week. From Janatpour’s experience, he learned that talking to students about science is not the best way to introduce concepts. Instead, getting kids hands-on experiences like building a comet, studying viruses with marshmallows, or stargazing with faculty is the best way to spark interest. He advocates doing it for yourself and understanding how and why something happens.

“People are drawn to science by doing something instead of just telling people about science,” he said of the event. “So we let them do science.”

Janatpour joined CSM in 1979 and became planetarium director in 1992. He is currently coordinator and professor of the Astronomy Program. He was the predecessor of his Day in Family Science, a special public event to view the solar eclipse in a planetarium called the Family Science and Astronomy Festival. The department has expanded and decided to include more science departments in the event, Family Science Day now includes Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Libraries.

Janatpour will lead a show called Symvisio on the Dome on Wednesdays and Fridays. The show blends celestial imagery, art and music to introduce children to the wonders of the universe. Janatpour’s artwork mixes with stars, galaxies, and other beautiful celestial backgrounds to create a worldview. Janatpour was inspired by the popular immersive Van Gogh exhibit, which uses art projections and illustrations to create interactive rooms.

“This is the first time,” says Janatpour. “We have never implemented this idea.”

On Thursdays, there is a matinee planetarium show on asteroids, comets and the origin of the universe. All shows take place at the Planetarium, Science Building 36, from 1:15 PM to 1:55 PM. Given the success and interest, Family Science Day is expected to continue as his legacy even with Janatpur’s departure.

“Even if we’re not on the last Saturday of 2023, that won’t change,” Janatpur said.

The event will run from September 26th to 30th. For more information about Family Science Week, visit collegeofsanmateo.edu/100/scienceweek.php.

curtis@smdailyjournal.com

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