Max Mutchler

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STScI
Space Telescope Science Institute
3700 San Martin Drive
Baltimore, Maryland 21218
Operated by AURA for NASA

Outreach Calendar

14-Aug-08 Talk and poster at the Great Planet Debate: Science as Process. A Scientific Conference and Educator Workshop
30-May-08 Career Day at Lutherville Lab elementary school
13-Mar-08 Is Pluto a Planet? lecture for Johns Hopkins Odyssey Program "Hubble's Expanding Universe" hosted by Ray Villard
8-Mar-08 Presentation via webcam for YAAYS students visiting Adler Planetarium in Chicago.

3-Nov-07 Presentation via webcam for YAAYS students visiting Adler Planetarium in Chicago.
16-Aug-07 Hosted a visit by two interns from The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum, including a webcam with students at Yerkes summer institute (day camp). Contact Maia Carroll.
1-Aug-07 Hosted a session for the "Youth Slam" event hosted by the National Federation of the Blind. The students assembled Hubble models, and debated "what is a planet"? The event was filmed by Angie Christian.
27-June-07 Visited summer intern program at The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum. Webcam conference with HOU teachers at Yerkes Observatory.
22-May-07 Presentation for students in grades 6-10 for the Youth for Astronomy program. Contact Tania Laguerre.
10-Mar-07 Presentation via webcam for YAAYS students visiting Adler Planetarium in Chicago.
6-Feb-07 Presentation for students at Friends School. Contact Deb Kinder.
29-Jan-07 Presentation for students in grades 6-10 for the Youth for Astronomy program. Contact Tania Laguerre.

28-Oct-06 "Lunch with a Scientist" as part of the New Horizons in Science Briefing hosted by the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing at the Tremont Grand Hotel. Luncheon with 10 journalists and public information officers, where I descibed my work and they asked me questions about Hubble servicing, Pluto, etc. Contact Lisa De Nike.
16-Sep-06 Presentation of recent Hubble observations of Ceres and Pluto for STScI "Science Night" during the ASP Education and Public Outreach Conference in Baltimore. About 200 people attended.
11-Sep-06 During the morning closed-circuit TV program at my son's elementary school, Lutherville Lab, I answered student questions about Pluto and the planet debate. I reassured the students that Pluto has not left the Solar System and they are free to continue loving Pluto unconditionally, while getting a rare glimpse into a classification debate -- which is an integral part of scientific progress. I mentioned the New Horizons mission, and donated a Passport to Pluto DVD to the science coordinator, for interested students to check out.
2-May-06 Presentation at Lutherville Lab elementary school, for my son's 1st Grade class (~25 students). I talked about the Solar System, with an emphasis on the similarity between the Earth-Moon and Pluto-Charon planetary systems. I also talked about the two new moons of Pluto, and the New Horizons mission. We did a moon-making activity where we bounced various-size balls into round pizza tins filled with a layer of flour (dusted with a layer of cocoa) to make craters. Then we launched nerf rockets to the moons we created. My son was my assistant. Contact Rachael Myers.
20-Apr-06 The discovery of two new moons of Pluto presentation for the Irvine Nature Center monthly Lecture Series. About 15 people attended. Contact Jason McCauley.
8-Feb-06 The discovery of two new moons of Pluto presentation for about 50 members of the Westminster Astronomical Society. Contact Brian Eney.
27-Jan-06 Presentation for 12 special education students at Oakleigh Elementary School. We discussed gravity, orbits, planets, and moons. We did a moon-making activity where we bounced various-size balls into round pizza tins filled with a layer of flour (dusted with a layer of cocoa) to make craters. Then we launched nerf rockets to the moons we created. My daughter was my assistant. Contact teacher Hara Kinsey.
18-Jan-06 The discovery of two new satellites of Pluto talk at Florida Tech. Contact Professor Terry Oswalt.
16-Jan-06 The discovery of two new satellites of Pluto presentation for the New Horizons Educator Workshop in Cocoa Beach, Florida. Contact Kerri Beisser.
9-Jan-06 The discovery of two new satellites of Pluto presentation for the science writers seminar at the American Astronomical Society Meeting in Washington DC, hosted by Steve Maran.
3-Jan-06 The discovery of two new satellites of Pluto presentation for the STScI Public Lecture Series, hosted by Frank Summers. Hal Weaver also gave a New Horizons mission update. View the webcast of this talk. Photo of Hal and Max. About 200 people attended.

12-Nov-05 Star party at Towson Unitarian Universalist Church, with Robert Jedrzejewski. About 20 people observed the Moon, Mars, and the Pleiades.
11-Oct-05 Math: The Universal Language presentation in Ms. Dierdre Austen's 4th grade class at Lutherville Lab elementary school, for the Math Workshop. We designed a SETI beacon signal using Audacity. Contact Lisa McGrath.
8-Feb-05 Hubble Trouble & Triumph talk for the Baltimore Astronomical Society at the Maryland Science Center from 7:30-9:00 PM. Contact Darryl Mason.

9-Oct-04 Room with a View: Armchair Exploration of the Universe presentation for the Astronomy Club Open House at Anne Arundel Community College. Contact Professor Beth Hufnagel.
27-Apr-04 Space to Dream article in the Racine Journal Times about Nikki Barron, who I have been corresponding with via e-mail since September 2003.
16-Apr-04 "Portrait of the Universe" video conference with Riverton High School (and 11 other schools) in Wyoming. I gave a slide presentation, students showed me their Hubble-inspired artwork, and asked questions. Contact Marianne Vinich.
13-Apr-04 "Observing the universe from your back yard, and with the Hubble Space Telescope" presentation at the Irvine Nature Center. Darryl Mason also gave a presentation about binary stars and the Solar System. The first in a series of meetings of the Baltimore Astronomical Society at Irvine, which will be followed with star gazing afterwards (rained out!) for members of both organizations. Contact Rob Mardiney and David Pragoff.
13-Mar-04 Hosted a "star party" at Towson Unitarian Universalist Church, along with Darryl Mason of the Baltimore Astronomical Society. About 20 people observed Venus, Mars, Saturn, Jupiter, and the Orion Nebula.

20-Nov-03 Presentation for about 60 people suffering from brain damage at the League for People With Disabilities. Contact Michelle Smith.
8-Nov-03 Lunar eclipse observing event at the Irvine Nature Center. Contact Rob Mardiney.
21-Sep-03 Hosted a "Mars party" at Towson Unitarian Universalist Church, along with Brian Eney of the Westminster Astronomical Society. It was a bit hazy, but about 30 people did manage to observe Mars.
22-April-03 Home of Hubble (PDF) presentation from 9:00-9:35 AM in the STScI Auditorium for ~30 student-teachers from Villa Julie College. Contact Bonnie Eisnehamer and Heather Bradbury (STScI Office of Public Outreach).
10-April-03 Hubble Update (PDF) presentation for Teacher's Thursday event at the Maryland Science Center from 6:30-8:00 PM in SpaceLink. There were about 20 teachers in SpaceLink, and another 20 "virtual" teachers participating via webcast at the St. Louis Science Center. Contact Flavio Mendez.
10-April-03 Presentation at Owings Mills Elementary School for ~100 third graders. Contact Suzanne Abdelrahim and Jenny Conrad.
22-Mar-03 " Science Person of the Month" presentation at the Maryland Science Center from 2:00-4:00 PM in SpaceLink. Contact Flavio Mendez.
7-Mar-03 Presentation for 8 special education students at Oakleigh Elementary School. We discussed gravity, orbits, planets, and moons. We did a "moon-making" activity where we bounced various-size balls into round pizza tins filled with a layer of flour (dusted with a layer of cocoa) to make craters. My daughter Sierra was my assistant. Contact teacher Hara Kinsey.

7-Dec-02 Hosted a star party at my home for 12 members of Towson Unitarian Universalist Church. We observed the Pleiades, Saturn, and the Orion Nebula.
20-Nov-02 IDEAS proposal review panel at Space Telescope Science Institute. Contact Heather Bradbury.
10-Sep-02 Presentation for the Baltimore Astronomical Society at the Maryland Science Center from 7:30-9:00 PM. Contact Darryl Mason.
29-July-02 Presentation for 18 middle and high school students in the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth astronomy class. Contact Jeff Belton.
19-July-02 Presentation for "Celebrate Space" at the Maryland Science Center from 1:00-4:00 PM in SpaceLink. Contact Flavio Mendez.
10-Feb-02 Baltimore Sun article with star chart for Enlighten Maryland light pollution project. 1130 star counts were submitted.
1-Feb-02 Enlighten Maryland training session for physics students at Catoctin High School in Thurmont, Maryland. These student-scientists will earn credit towards their service-learning graduation requirement. Contact teacher Lisa Bruck.

12-Nov-01 Presentation and training session for Enlighten Maryland for the Shedding Light on Light Pollution event at the Maryland Science Center from 6:30 to 10:00 PM. Contact Melissa Jan.
8-May-01 Presentations at two schools. 20 4th graders at Lutherville Lab, a science magnet school. Contact Susie Peeling (410-887-7654). 60 4th graders at Immaculate Heart of Mary Elementary School, assisted by Debbie Salamone. Contact Kay Purdum.
25-April-01 Interview for the 4-part "Faces of Hubble" series by meteorologist Lori Pinson appeared on Fox 45 News at Ten for Hubble's 11th anniversary. See photos of Max and Lori. Contact Flavio Mendez and Lori Pinson.
16-Feb-01 Presentation for the Howard Astronomical League. Dinner at 6:00 PM at the Tomato Palace, talk at 7:30 PM at Wilde Lake Middle School in Columbia, Maryland. Contact Mike Hall.

16-Nov-00 Presentation for the National Science Teachers Assoc. conference, at the Maryland Science Center from 3:30-5:00 PM in SpaceLink. Contact Flavio Mendez.
29-Aug-00 Presentations to Baltimore City Public School physics and earth science teachers (for "Professional Day") at the Maryland Science Center. August 29 and 30 from 2:15-3:30 PM in SpaceLink. Contact Flavio Mendez.
27-July-00 Hosted part of a half-day visit by teacher intern Marcelino Bedolla from Southwestern High School, with Mike Meakes. Contact Flavio Mendez at the Maryland Science Center (410-545-5995), and Anne Anikis at the Maryland Space Grant Consortium.
5-May-00 Presentation to 60 4th graders at Immaculate Heart of Mary Elementary School. Contact Kay Purdum. With neighbors Debbie & Alex Salamone.
29-April-00 Camp-In at the Maryland Science Center, as part of our IDEAS project.
5-April-00 Presentation for about 200 students and parents for "Science Night" at Lutherville Lab, a science magnet school. Darryl Mason also displayed his telescope (no observing; event ended before dusk). Contact Susie Peeling at 410-887-7654.
April-00 Decade of Discovery presentations at the Maryland Science Center, for Hubble's 10th anniversary. April 2, 9, 16 from 1-3 PM in SpaceLink. Contact Flavio Mendez.
23-Mar-00 Hosted a one-hour workshop at Maryland's Service-Learning Conference, as part of our IDEAS project.
18-Mar-00 Camp-In at the Maryland Science Center, as part of our IDEAS project.
11-Mar-00 Service-Learning in Science: a teacher training workshop at the Maryland Science Center. Our project is funded by NASA's IDEAS program.
7-Feb-00 Presentation to 20 fourth-graders at Lutherville Lab, a science magnet school. Contact Susie Peeling at 410-887-7654.

Nov-99 Assisting local "sidewalk astronomer" Darryl Mason in his outreach efforts, including local TV appearances.
July-99 Hosted four half-day visits by teacher intern Eleanor Chew from Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Elementary School. Contact Flavio Mendez at the Maryland Science Center (410-545-5995), and Anne Anikis at the Maryland Space Grant Consortium.
19-Mar-99 Presentation to 60 4th graders at Immaculate Heart of Mary Elementary School. Contact Kay Purdum. With neighbors Debbie & Julianne Salamone.
22-Jan-99 Presentation to 20 4th graders at Lutherville Lab, a science magnet school. I also appeared on the school's student-produced TV broadcast. Contact Susie Peeling at 410-887-7654.

31-Oct-98 Sidewalk astronomy: since kids are naturally out on Halloween, I once again set up my 8" Dobsonian telescope on the sidewalk in front of my house. About 40 people observed Jupiter and its Galilean moons, and the Moon.
10-July-98 Presentation to 20 8th graders from Frederick, Maryland, as part of Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth program. Contact Stu Gluck at 410-752-0805.
3-May-98 Panelist for the Career Symposium for 600 8th graders and their parents, by the Center for Talented Youth (CTY), at Johns Hopkins University. Contact Angela Pond.
2-April-98 Talk to 20 science teachers from Connecticut (again) at STScI. Contact Susan Hageman, ISIS program at Southern Connecticut State University.
22-Mar-98 STScI press release, USA Weekend, and MSNBC article on the starburst galaxy NGC 1808
20-Mar-98 Presentation to 60 4th graders at Immaculate Heart of Mary Elementary School, Towson, Maryland. Contact Kay Purdum. For neighbors Debbie & Julianne Salamone.

10-July-97 General HST talk to 8th graders from Frederick, Maryland (part of JHU's CTY). Contact Stu Gluck at 410-752-0805.
April-97 Talk to 20 science teachers from Connecticut at STScI. Contact Susan Hageman, ISIS program at Southern Connecticut State University.

31-Oct-96 Sidewalk astronomy: since kids are naturally out on Halloween, I set up my 8" Dobsonian telescope on the sidewalk in front of my house. About 40 people observed Saturn and the Moon.
Feb-96 Participated in the Live From HST event by submitting a personal biography and journal entry.

11-Dec-95 STESOP visit to Sparks Elementary School, 10401 Greenside Drive, with Yasmeen Lanier, a student-teacher at Morgan State University. Contact Ann Gallagher (887-7900). 40 students in two groups.
10-Nov-95 STESOP visit to Charles Carroll Barrister Elementary School, 1327 Washington Blvd., contact Elizabeth Bond, 396-5974. 40 students in two groups (4th graders).
17-Oct-95 Hosted a visit by Liz Conlon from Armagh Planetarium, in Northern Ireland. She is developing internet educational programs involving Hubble data.
11-Oct-95 STESOP visit to Brehms Lane Elementary School, with Flavio Mendez and Pat Momberger, for a workshop for the entire teaching staff (26 teachers), Principal Claudia Brown, and members of the administration. STESOP "adopted" this school for the school year.
28-Sep-95 Began my "Outreach From The Inside" (OFTI) e-mail correspondence with 8th grade science teacher Beth Pierson and her students at Washington Middle School in Washington Court House, Ohio.
29-June-95 Conducted my Hubble Mission Control activity in the STScI auditorium for "Family Day"
24-June-95 Presentation at the Mason-Dixon Star Party in Pennsylvania, hosted by the York County Park Astronomical Society. President Phil De Rosa, 1-800-793-2295. Coordinator Todd Ullery, 410-316-7754.
31-May-95 STESOP visit to Thunder Hill Elementary School with Jill Griffin (JHU student-teacher).
26-April-95 STESOP visit to Middlesex Elementary School, 142 Bennett Road, with Jill Griffin (JHU student-teacher). Principal Ed Cozzolino 887-0171. Teachers Woodrew Webster 391-0206, Jane Anderson, others... 80 students in 3 groups (3rd graders).
31-Mar-95 STESOP visit to Glenmount Elementary School, 6211 Walther Avenue, with Jill Griffin (JHU graduate student). Principal Vera Newton, Teachers Joan Schaer (396-6366), Tom Venable, Gail Black. 2 groups of 70 students (4th and 5th grade).
13-Feb-95 STESOP visit to Bernard Harris Elementary School, 1400 North Caroline Street. Principal Alma W. Brown, 396-1452. My partner was Jill Griffin (JHU graduate student). 3 presentations, 28 kids per group (4th graders). Teachers: Ms. Knox, Ms. Pettiray, Ms. Fields.
5-Jan-95 STESOP visit to Gardenville Elementary School, 5300 Belair Road, 396-6382. Principal Nancy Neilson Teachers Dawn McDonald, Ms. M. Ambrose (4th grade). My partner was Inge Heyer. Two graduate student-teachers from Johns Hopkins, Jill Griffin and Jessica Lewis, were observers.

12-Dec-94 STESOP visit to Sinclair Lane Elementary School, 3880 Sinclair Lane, 396-9116. Asst. Principal Verndine Pettiford. Teachers Ms. Broom, Ms. Green, Ms. Christopher (4th grade). My partner was Inge Heyer; Bill Hathaway came along to videotape us.
22-Nov-94 STESOP visit to Chase Elementary School, 11701 Eastern Ave., 887-5940 Teachers Judy Henderson, Chris Merolla, Ann Vogt (3rd grade). My partner was Inge Heyer.
26-Oct-94 STESOP visit to Carroll Manor Elementary School (Baltimore County) with Mike Meakes. 2 classes of 35 students each (2nd grade). Teachers Jeanne Phelps and Dori Sibley.
30-May-94 HST presentation for "Astronomy Day" at the Science Museum of Minnesota, in conjunction with the American Astronomical Society Meeting. Organized by Larry Rudnick, University of Minnesota. 2 presentations for about 30 people. Partner was Pete Reppert.