Oct. 6 is National Manufacturing Day. To celebrate, Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT) will open its doors to students and the public from around the Big Island.
Schools are invited to attend one of three sessions that morning and to tour CFHT’s machine shop and electrics lab. From 2:30-5:30 pm, the event is open to the general public. In addition, other Big Island manufactures are invited to attend and show the community their work done here on Hawaii Island.
For more information or to register a group, check out the official Manufacturing Day event website at www.mfgday.com/events/2017/canada-france-hawaii-telescope-corp.
The Solar System Walk is coming back to Waimea on Oct. 28. The free event, hosted by CFHT, W.M. Keck Observatory and UH’s Institute for Astronomy (IFA), provides the community an opportunity to talk with staff from the world’s most scientifically productive telescope and explore the planets — just like professional astronomers — as they walk through Waimea.
The Solar System Walk turns Waimea into a scale model of the solar system, inviting keiki to explore neighboring planets through hands-on activities. The walk starts with the sun at the Keck Observatory headquarters on Mamalahoa Highway and continues down the sidewalk to the Pluto and its icy friends at the CFHT headquarters.
Each planet features an activity, where solar system explorers will participate in a fun planetary activity and learn about a groundbreaking discovery from the Maunakea Observatories — the site where most of the world’s astronomy discoveries are made.
Keiki can get their Solar System Explorers Passport stamped at every booth. Those with a completed passport at the end of the walk can redeem it for a coupon for free admission to Imiloa. Participants 12 and under can receive the prize. A complimentary BBQ lunch is available for all explorers at the end of the walk.
A new addition this year is a Halloween costume contest. It will begin at 1 p.m. at CFHT’s headquarters. It is free and open to participants of all ages. Prizes will be awarded to the top costumes in five categories: preschool, elementary, 11 and over, best group costume and best space costume. We will also crown a grand prizewinner. All those participating in the costume contest will receive a special prize.
“The Solar System Walk is a great way to get outside and enjoy Waimea. The sense of wonder that the keiki have as they explore each planet is inspiring to all the volunteers,” said Mary Beth Laychak, CFHT’s outreach program manager. “We are very excited about the addition of the Halloween costume contest. We can’t wait to see what costumes the contestants come up with.”
CFHT’s Facebook page will feature regular updates on Manufacturing Day and the Solar System Walk as the event draws closer at https://www.facebook.com/cfhtelescope/.
Questions about either event: Call Mary Beth Laychak at 885-3121