Great Parks of Hamilton County plans to host its second astronomical event “Out of this World” on April 5th and 6th from 7–9 p.m. at Sharon Woods. This free celebration of space promises inclusivity with educational activities and resources.
Families can learn about space via interactive activities. Staff and volunteers will help create water rockets and other space-themed crafts. A “walk through the solar system” opportunity and a planetarium offer hands-on ways to view and learn more about the universe. There also will be anti-gravity simulations and s’mores to round out the evening.
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Kids will enjoy space-themed crafts.
Sharon Woods nature interpreter Tom Hughes says Great Parks offers plenty of events centered on plants, animals, rocks, and fossils, but they noticed there wasn’t much on space, which prompted an evening event in March 2018. It was so successful that they expanded it into a two-night experience: “Out of this World.”
This event will be bigger than last year. Hughes describes it as a “celebration of space and planetary objects.”
On Friday night, special guests from the Cincinnati Astronomical Society will discuss telescopes and offer insight in purchasing and using them. Hopefully clear skies will allow for some nighttime viewings.
Saturday will feature sensory-friendly activities from 6–7 p.m. The team at Sharon Woods partnered with groups from University of Cincinnati to come up with ways to make visitors with special needs feel safer and more secure.
Sensory-friendly activities feature an outline of the event as well as a detailed map clearly showing the location of events, restrooms, and parking lots, and where things will take place for those with higher sensitivity so they don’t feel overwhelmed.
Sharon Woods also has a new interactive app with scavenger hunts and quizzes that will be space themed for the event.
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