Star Party — for 4th Graders
The Star Party is a science event where Acton 4th graders and their families become astronomers for a night. Star Parties are sponsored by the Acton Public Schools (APS), the Amateur Telescope Makers of Boston (ATMoB) and Acton PIP. 
The Star Party is held at the Parker Damon Building. The Star Party has indoor and outdoor components.
In the school lobby, attendees are introduced to star gazing by a Sky&Telescope Magazine representative before joining Galileo in the gym.
Galileo, played by Paul Manning, gives the evening a historical spin, then encourages the audience to join the astronomers outside to view the stars. 
Beside the school, a dozen amateur astronomers equipped with telescopes share their love of the night sky with the 4th graders and their families. The Star Parties complement the 4th grade APS curriculum.
At previous Star Parties, the winter and spring skies delivered spectacular shows from Saturn's rings to the Orion nebula to storms on Jupiter. For a finale, the star gazers return to the school for hot cocoa, snacks, and take-home Starfinder Charts.
See the Star Party at-home activities for 4th graders.
PIP Science Links | Volunteer Resources |
Star Party Links
2008 Star Party Flyer
Star Party Website
A Visit with Galileo
Star Party Photos
Sky & Telescope Magazine
Astronomy Links
Nova: Sputnik Declassified new!
Space News
The Space Place
Celestia
E-Planetarium
The Galileo Project