Friday, July 15, 2011

Paul Shaw featured in the Tyler Newspaper

(Staff photo by Jacque Hilburn-Simmons)
Children Get To Know Solar System In Portable Planetarium

By JACQUE HILBURN-SIMMONS
Staff Writer

Little Olivia Scott, 7, knows a little bit about the solar system and its mysteries.

She gained part of her knowledge from school and parents, the rest from a movie about mythical creatures in the sky.

The wide-eyed youngster from Tyler was among a lucky few children who spent part of Thursday experiencing a galaxy far, far away at Tyler's Glass Recreation Center — in a portable, blow-up planetarium on loan to Tyler Junior College from Texas A&M University-Commerce.

“I saw everything,” the girl said. “I know all about the constellations; it's awesome.”

Tall words for one so small, but helping children connect the dots between knowledge and reality is what makes learning fun and meaningful, TJC instructor Paul Shaw said.

“There seems to be a disconnect on what kids think is nature,” Shaw said. “Many of them don't realize a feature of nature is above their heads. Getting rid of the disconnect is important.”

Click here to read the whole story on TylerPaper.com

Having seen the presentation first hand, Paul is an excellent presenter and really knows how to share his love of the skies with folks - Robert Brown

Saturday, July 9, 2011