Space Day 2022
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Space Day 2022
George Mason University, Project Caelus, and The Pearl Project Institute presented the first George Mason Space Day, which was open to all students and families. Mason Space Day was an exciting, collaborative, and engaging event, with an aim to educate the public on the technology and science behind some of the leading aerospace projects in the area.
Didn't attend Space Day? Watch the live-steam below.
Photos by: Cristian Torres/Strategic Communications/George Mason
Didn't attend Space Day? Watch the live-stream
The Space Day live-stream includes event overview with Peter Plavchan, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Dean's welcome with Fernando Miralles Wilhelm, New Age for Human Space Flight with NASA Space Force Col Michael Hopkins, and How to Apply Digital Engineering to Future Space Tech.
Event Speakers
- Col. Michael Hopkins, Space Force and NASA Astronaut and Commander of the Crew-1 Dragon Mission, keynote speaker
- Dr Sandra Cauffman, Deputy Administrator of Astrophysics at NASA Headquarters
- Dr Piotr Pachowicz, Professor of Engineering, George Mason University
- Robin McDougal, CEO of the Pearl Project Institute
- Steven Dam, President, SPEC Innovations
- Project Caelus
Event Information Summary
- Open to the public. Registration required.
- Free to attend
- Saturday, September 10, 2022
- 4pm-9pm, with talks from 4:30-7:30pm [Schedule Below]
- Eateries [see below]
- Locations: George Mason University Hub Ballroom and Research Hall [see below]
- COVID Event Policy: Face masks are strongly encouraged indoors and recommended outdoors. If you are experiencing any COVID-related symptoms, please do not attend the event.
- All minors MUST be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian at all times
Speaker Schedule
Locations and Parking Information
4400 Rivanna River Way
George Mason University
Fairfax VA 22030
Click here for Google Maps link: The HUB Ballroom & Research Hall
General Event Parking is in Lot A. Signs and volunteers will be available to direct you to the event locations. Accessible Parking is available in Lot A, the Shenandoah Parking Garage, and along Rivanna River Way at the cul-de-sac turn-around.
Bus transportation is also available: There is a main bus terminal on campus for the Cue bus system. There are also a couple of Metro bus stops near campus, including the 176, 306, 17G and 29K lines.
Event Features
- Main talk hall in The Hub Ballroom, 630 limited seating capacity
- 5 additional activity spaces in the Hub, and 5 activity spaces in Research Hall
- Hands on Stem Activities including bottle rockets, Solar telescope viewing, see Quantum Mechanics with your own eyes, and more!
- From the Ground Up: Project Caelus
- Interstellar Dreams Space Center Launch
- Observatory Tours Viewing after Sunset
- Planetarium Shows
- Two Smooth Dudes Food Truck
Event Food Options
- Student dining hall, buffet stations
- $12 for members of public
- Akeno Sushi until 8pm
- The Express Convenience Store until 8pm
- Blaze Pizza from 3pm to 8pm
- Chipotle until 10pm
- Panera Bread until 8pm
- Starbucks until 7pm
- Manhattan Pizza until 9pm
- Panda Express until 5pm
2022 Space Day Participants
- NASA
- US Space Force
- Mason Observatories
- The Pearl Project Institute for Innovation in STEM Literacy & Interstellar Dreams Space Center
- SPEC Innovations
- Friends of the Observatory
- Society of Physics Students, Mason Chapter
- Northern Virginia Astronomy Club
- Because Science
- Dark Sky Friends
- Fairfax County Park Authority
- International Dark Sky Association
- Smithsonian Associates
- George Mason Department of Physics and Astronomy
- STEMinists
- Space Weather Group
- Planetary Geology
- Mason Chemistry Club
- Mason Weather Club
- Analemma Society
- Project Caelus
About Project Caelus: Project Caelus is a team of students from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology that seeks to educate the public on the propulsion, avionics, and electronics of the first high-school built liquid fueled rocket. Through our project, we hope to show young individuals that it is possible to accomplish goals never done before and that there is no age threshold to exploring science and pushing technological boundaries.
Sponsors
Thank you to our wonderful sponsors without whom this event would not have been possible:
George Mason University: the College of Science, Mason Observatories, the Department of Physics and Astronomy, and Welcome2Mason
Project Caelus
Pearl Project Institute and Interstellar Dreams
SPEC Innovations
Dark Sky Friends
Fairfax County Park Authority
International Dark Sky Association
Interested in being an event sponsor, having a table at the event, or are you a local DMV area space-related organization? please get in touch and let us know! Sponsor Signup is here
Volunteers
Interested in being a volunteer? Please contact: Dr Gabriele Belle gbelle@gmu.edu and Dr Peter Plavchan pplavcha@gmu.edu
Code of Conduct
Please treat everyone with respect at all times, and abide by Mason's Physics and Astronomy Department Code of Conduct
Children and minors in attendance:
All minors MUST be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian at all times. Parents: Space Day allows children the opportunity to learn about space in a fun and engaging environment. Keep your hands to yourself and respect the property of those around you and on the Mason campus. Remember to have fun!
Questions? Contact: Dr. Gabriele Belle gbelle@gmu.edu and Dr. Peter Plavchan pplavcha@gmu.edu with any questions.