Giant Steps program to be presented at library on July 25
Stop in and visit the Guttenberg Public Library's space shuttle and attend the "Giant Steps" program on Thursday, July 25, at 10:30 a.m. The event will be held in the main library and is part of the library's summer reading program. From left are Ethan and Lindi Mueller. (Photo submitted)
By Caroline Rosacker
On July 20, 1969, astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were the first humans to set foot on the surface of the moon. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the historic Apollo 11 moon landing.
Armstrong's famous first words as he stepped on the moon surface —The Eagle has landed. That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.— and Aldrin's first words — Beautiful view. Magnificent desolation. — will be forever remembered by generations of space travel enthusiasts.
Giant Steps program
The Guttenberg Public Library invites the community to attend its upcoming program, "Giant Steps," on Thursday, July 25, at 10:30 a.m. The event will be held in the main library and is part of the library's summer reading program, "A Universe of Stories."
The interactive and informative program is designed for people of all ages. During the program audience members will hear the story of how humans first journeyed to the moon, what they discovered, and learn about the first samples brought back to earth from another planetary body.
John Heasley, program presenter, teacher, and stargazer, resides in the Driftless Region of Southwest Wisconsin. Heasley grew up in Philadelphia and received his bachelor and master degrees from Boston College. He received his training as a space educator through Space Education Initiatives and Arizona State University's Mars Education Program.
Heasley has organized "October Skies," a community celebration of the first 50 years of the space age, and has been the principal investigator on two projects with the Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium. In the summer Heasley can be found "making Martians" by teaching the next generation about Mars at Richland Center High School, and the University of Wisconsin-Richland.
The space guru also volunteers as a Solar System Ambassador and is a Master Teacher with NASA/JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory) children science division. Heasley enjoys sharing his enthusiasm for space exploration. He encourages people to gaze up at the night sky remembering the past and imagining the future.
For additional information about the Giant Steps program or other scheduled events you may call the library at (563) 252-3108 or visit the libraries website at www.guttenberg.lib.ia.us or find them on Facebook.
