- University News Archive - ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

Heath shares love of astronomy with central Arkansas

Ajani Oyindamola — Mon, 10 Jun 2019 12:58:36 +0000

Last month, many scientists were saddened by the ending of the television program, “The Big Bang Theory,” which popularized physics, astronomy, and other scientific topics that often seemed out of reach to people. Darrell Heath, an animal lab technician at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, can especially relate to the child character of Sheldon, a young misunderstood genius growing up in a small, religious, conservative town in Texas, portrayed in the “The Big Bang Theory” spinoff “Young Sheldon.” “I can very much relate to young Sheldon, a very smart kid growing up in the South,” Heath said. “I can relate to a lot of the things Sheldon goes through with his family, teachers, and church. I relate to young Sheldon, not as a genius by any means, but as a kid who just doesn’t feel as though he fits in with the rest of the crowd.” Often described as ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s space expert (though Heath calls himself a “devout astronomy enthusiast”), he is the man who sends out emails about the best time to view the International Space Station, planets, meteor showers, eclipses, and other heavenly bodies. Heath, who has a passion for space and astronomy that he loves to share with others, thinks that most people have a natural interest in space. “I think people are inherently interested in the mysterious and unknown, and space represents that,” he said. “The night sky has inspired us over the centuries. It’s inspired religious leaders, artists, poets, scientists, and scholars. Before we knew what stars and planets were, we were looking at the night sky and telling stories about gods and monsters. The stars were our storybooks.” After getting involved in amateur astronomy in 2005 and taking an astronomy course with Dr. Tony Hall at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Heath has served as past president and is the current outreach coordinator of the Central Arkansas Astronomical Society, which hosts star parties and other educational events on space and astronomy. He is also a volunteer with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s Solar System Ambassador program, dedicated to conveying to the public information about NASA’s ongoing missions to explore the solar system.

Darrell Heath is a volunteer in the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s Solar System Ambassador Program, which works to communicate the science and excitement of NASA’s space exploration missions and discoveries, some of which can be seen here in the NASA Hubble Space Telescope exhibit at the Laman Public Library in North Little Rock. Photo by Ben Krain.

“I do outreach programs for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and talk about the latest missions that are happening in the solar system,” Heath said. “This has been a fun experience for me. I travel around the state and do programs in schools and parks. It’s always nice to see the support people have for science, space, and NASA.” In 2015, Cheryl Hellman, director of university television, saw an opportunity to share Heath’s knowledge with a larger audience. “I am always looking for interesting people at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock that we can put on the university television channel,” Hellman said. “Darrell had been putting out announcements about interesting things that were going on in the sky. We talked about doing a monthly television segment. That became ‘The Night Sky.’” Every month, Heath produces a short episode of “The Night Sky” about topics in space and astronomy. Episodes have included the mythology of the constellations, tips for observing meteor showers and eclipses, a buyer’s guide for telescopes, amazing facts about the moon, and meteorites at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. He also writes companion articles posted on the website that include highlights of night sky for the month and a feature story about a phenomenon in space. “‘The Night Sky’ has become one of our most popular shows on the university channel,” Hellman said. “You’ll see some episodes on YouTube that have more than 100,000 views. It’s watched all over the globe, and it’s used in classrooms as part of educational programs. It’s a very popular show. Darrell puts a lot of heart and soul into this program.” Heath said that his newfound popularity as an expert on space has led him to some unusual conversations. “I get emails from all across the world,” he said. “People always want to know if I have seen a UFO, and kids ask me if I have been in space. I have people come up and tell me what a full moon will do to them.” While he’s never seen a UFO, a close encounter at one of the Central Arkansas Astronomical Society’s summer star parties led to a memorable experience. “We did a star party at Pinnacle Mountain State Park one June. There must have been 300 or 400 people in the crowd,” he said. “All of a sudden, I began to notice that people were looking in the sky and pointing their cell phones up there. Up in the sky, there was a formation of green lights moving slowly across the sky in uniform. It was kind of creepy at first. Then we turned our telescopes on it, and we realized it was a group of Chinese lanterns that the wind was carrying away in a pattern. At first, it looked like an alien invasion, but it turned out to just be a wedding.” For anyone interested in getting started in astronomy, Heath recommends “The Stars: A New Way to See Them” by H.A. Rey, the inventor of Curious George. “All a person needs to get started stargazing is just their eyes,” Heath said. “We have all looked at the sky with wonderment and curiosity. I think people are inherently curious about the universe I see that every time we do a star party. We have hundreds of people show up, and I’m amazed by how excited they are.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock offers Weekend University for lifelong learning

Janea Snyder — Wed, 27 Feb 2019 19:41:46 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will begin a new on March 9 that will offer central Arkansans a series of 90-minute micro-classes on topics ranging from Shakespeare to stargazing. “��Vlog��ý Little Rock is committed to offering lifelong learning opportunities in the community, and that’s what we are doing with this initiative,” Chancellor Andrew Rogerson said. “The Weekend University format allows people to come and spend part of their Saturday with some of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s star professors.” Weekend University, part of the university’s Extended Education program, will offer morning and afternoon sessions led by ��Vlog��ý Little Rock faculty and staff. The spring schedule includes two sessions on March 9, April 6, and April 20. The cost is $15 per session or $25 for two on the same day. Sessions will be held at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Downtown, 333 President Clinton Ave. Topics will reflect a diversity of faculty and staff expertise and interests. “Weekend University promises to be eclectic and enriching,” said Sarah Beth Estes, interim dean of the College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences and associate provost for Community, Careers, and Extended Education. “The inaugural schedule covers such wide-ranging topics as the earth and the stars, the Met and the Bard, wedding dresses and fake news messes. We hope the community will join us downtown to learn something new, to stimulate their curiosity, and to shift their perspective.” Weekend University Spring 2019 Calendar March 9 – “Why Shakespeare?” 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m., Kris McAbee, associate professor of English March 9 – “What’s Behind the Magic at the Metropolitan Opera?” 1:30-3 p.m., Diane Kesling, instructor of music April 6 – “All the News that’s Fit to Fake,” 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m., Jan Thomas, professor of philosophy April 6 – “Stargazing Basics for the Beginner,” 1:30-3 p.m., Darrell Heath, past president of the Central Arkansas Astronomical Society April 20 – “Natural State Geology You Need to Know,” 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m., Michael T. DeAngelis, associate professor of geology April 20 – “Memorable Wedding Dresses: From the Silly to the Sublime,” 1:30-3 p.m., Yslan Hicks, chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance Fall topics will include the validity of forensic evidence, Middle Eastern archaeology, and how to curate collections. For topic descriptions and costs of Weekend University, visit For more information, contact Christine Cotton, director of Extended Education, at cecotton@ualr.edu.

Celebrate International Observe the Moon Night

Ajani Oyindamola — Fri, 12 Oct 2018 17:01:02 +0000

Anyone who is interested in getting a closer look at the surface of the moon can join the International Observe the Moon Night festivities Friday, Oct. 19, for a full night of lunar viewing. The event, which is free and open to the public, will take place from 7-9 p.m. at the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub, 204 E. Fourth St. in North Little Rock. In case of rain, the event will be held Saturday, Oct. 20. Telescopes will be set up for a close-up look at the moon’s surface, with a zoom in on craters, lava plains and tunnels, and mountains. Members of the and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock will be on hand to answer questions and provide insight on the moon. Dr. Tony Hall, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock associate professor of astronomy, will provide meteorite samples for viewing and touching. Additionally, Bruce McMath of the Central Arkansas Astronomical Society will give a talk on light pollutions and tips for observing the moon. The Innovation Hub will also be holding its “Make it Scary” event from 5-8 p.m., where guests can screen print Halloween-themed T-shirts, laser cut Halloween crafts, and paint pottery.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock to host Arkansas Science Olympiad April 6-7

Janea Snyder — Wed, 04 Apr 2018 14:37:42 +0000

This weekend more than 300 middle- and high-school students from across Arkansas will convene at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock for the 8th annual Arkansas Science Olympiad, which is coordinated through the university’s STEM Education Center. The opening ceremony begins at 6 p.m. Friday, April 6, in Dickinson Hall lobby, and competitions run Saturday, April 7, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. around campus. Students will compete for prizes and the chance to advance to the National Science Olympiad to be held May 18-19 at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. This year’s Science Olympiad features 42 events – 21 for middle school students (grades 6-8) and 21 events in the high school division (grades 9-12). Each event presents a challenge that students have to solve within a time limit. Medals will be awarded in each event, and trophies awarded to highest-scoring teams. New this year is the Raye Montague Trophy, which will be awarded to the highest-ranking majority female team. The award is named in honor of Arkansas native Raye Montague, an engineer for the U.S. Navy who in 1970 created the first computer-generated rough draft of a naval ship. She was given a month to complete the assignment and finished the task in 19 hours. (Raye Montague is also the mother of David Montague, director of eLearning and professor of criminal justice at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock.) “One of the goals of Science Olympiad is to encourage more women to participate in the sciences, and we encourage them through competition,” said Eric Kaufmann, professor and director of undergraduate studies of mathematics and statistics, and state director of the Arkansas Science Olympiad. The competition started with just seven teams in 2011; this year 29 teams are competing. This is also the first year for multiple regional tournaments with earlier competitions held at Northwest Arkansas Community College and ASU-Newport. Participating schools include Central Arkansas Christian School in North Little Rock, Benton High, Sylvan Hills High in Sherwood, Parkview Science and Arts Magnet in Little Rock, Lisa Academy West, Lisa Academy North High, Lisa Academy North Middle, Lisa Academy Chenal, Haas Hall Academy in Fayetteville and Bentonville, Little Rock Central High School, County Line High in Branch, Nettleton Junior High and High schools, The Academies at Jonesboro, Little Rock Christian Academy, Cabot Junior High and Annie Camp Junior High in Jonesboro. “It’s definitely growing,” Kaufmann said. “Our entire goal was to get students excited about science, and there’s an enthusiasm in these students. Science Olympiad just brings it out.” About three dozen ��Vlog��ý Little Rock faculty have a hand in this year’s events – from devising the competitions to running them. Scientists from ��Vlog��ýMS, the Arkansas Geologic Survey, the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, Museum of Discovery, Central Arkansas Astronomical Society, and the Little Rock Zoo also are helping run the events. In addition, about two dozen undergraduate and graduate students will be assisting as community service. “It’s really a tremendous outreach program,” said Thomas Clifton, interim dean of the College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. “Our community partners really help us make this event a success, and our own students get very involved. It’s our hope that every middle school or high school student who participates in Science Olympiad feels the excitement that comes from solving a problem and reaching a goal.” Here’s just a few of the creative challenges the students will have waiting for them when they get to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock: Battery Buggy – Students bring their pre-built buggy to the event and are given a set distance their buggy must travel. They must design a cart to travel that exact distance in the quickest time and stop at the target point. Mystery Architecture – Student have 30 minutes to design, build, and test a structure (bridge, tower, or cantilever beam) using unknown materials. Wright Stuff – Students design, build, and launch rubber-band powered balsa wood airplanes. The plane that stays in air the longest is the winner. Game-On: Students are given a theme and have 50 minutes to design and develop a computer game using the program SCRATCH. Hovercraft – Students take a written test that covers mechanics, and then they build a craft, which must travel from Point A to Point B in a certain time. Missions Possible (Rube Goldberg Machine.) The challenge: Build a simple machine in the most complicated way possible. Towers – The team that designs the lightest tower that supports the most weight will be declared the winner. Potions and Poisons – Chemistry challenge based on household poisons and venoms found in nature.

Celebrate International Observe the Moon Night Oct. 27

Ajani Oyindamola — Thu, 19 Oct 2017 20:16:44 +0000

Anyone who is interested in getting a closer look at the surface of the moon can join the International Observe the Moon Night festivities Friday, Oct. 27, for a full night of lunar viewing. The event, which is free and open to the public, will take place from 7-9:30 p.m. at the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub, 204 E. Fourth St. in North Little Rock. In case of rain, the event will be held from 7-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28. Telescopes will be set up for a close-up look at the moon’s surface, while Loblolly Creamery will provide treats for hungry moon watchers. Members of the and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Department of Physics and Astronomy will be on hand to answer questions and provide insight on the moon. Dr. Tony Hall, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock associate professor of astronomy, will provide meteorite samples for viewing and touching. Additionally, Robert Togni of the Central Arkansas Astronomical Society will give a presentation at 7 p.m. entitled, “Seeing Lunar Evolution.”

- University News Archive - ����Vlog��ý Little Rock