The Island Astronomy Institute

To provide programs, facilities, and resources to schools, teachers and the public that allow people of all ages to participate in astronomy as a stimulating educational and cultural activity.

Objectives

1) Develop astronomical facilities and programs, for the visitors and residents of Mount Desert Island and Down East Maine

2) Provide space science resources to Maine’s teachers and schools

3) Increase understanding of NASA’s contribution to the betterment of life on Earth

4) Promote the dark skies above Acadia National Park in order to foster public stewardship of all dark skies

5) Strengthen the local community

Operating principles:

The initiatives and programs of the foundation shall be financially self-sufficient.

Initiatives:

1) Provide people of all ages with the tools of astronomy and the training to use them successfully

2) Implement a K-12 educational program for teachers, providing CEU credits

3) Train and support an organization of volunteers

a. Support the establishment of an astronomy club on MDI

4) Generating new employment opportunities

5) Establish an endowed lecture series

6) Implement a mobile science center featuring a portable planetarium.

7) Establish Acadia National Park and the Mount Desert Island archipelago as a dark sky preserve

8) Development and manage a permanent space science center featuring a public observatory, planetarium, and theater

Contact Information:

Telephone: 207-244-9477
Postal Address: Peter & Linda Lord Island Astronomy
P.O. Box 249 Bernard, ME 04612

Electronic mail: info@islandastro.com