IPS: Supporting Global Partnerships

Tom Zahler

Pre-Ghana:

Educate adult and young audiences in astronomical and physical science topics via the Exploradome. 

I develop interesting and thought provoking Uniview software sequences to engage audiences.

Astrophysical topic blogging in MN Planetarium Facebook Page  "Notes" tab.Building relationships with prospective corporate and individual donors at

public events.Promoting future Planetarium through various media vehicles: informational

fairs, social networking sites, newsletters, and other marketing mediums.

Tom Zahler

Post Ghana:

This endeavor with the Ghana Planetarium will improve my ability to deliver a global perspective to my future paid and volunteer education efforts via the Exploradome. 

It will also give me the opportunity to realize my ability to build operational capacity for the international planetarium society on a global scale.

Improving the Infrastructure

I will have the opportunity to expand the global views held by the IPS, Ghana Science Project, and the MN Planetarium Society by strengthening this global partnership that will continue to grow. I will work with Joel Halvorson and possibly others to solidify on-going remote domecasting for the Ghana Planetarium. 

(Benefit the Planetarium Community as a whole)

I will attempt to find qualified volunteer STEM educators who can give domecasts for the Ghana Planetarium thus freeing Jacob to focus on operations and planning. This work may lead to future opportunities for a Ghana Exploradome Program much like the successful MN Planetarium Society Exploradome Program. 

(Benefit the Planetarium Community as a whole)

Improving the Infrastructure

I will work to build a lesson portfolio that can be accessed by Dr. Ashong at a later time. I will ensure that it relates to Ghanian/African culture as well as having a focus on mathematics, data analysis, statistics, and global issues (STEM Focus) . 

(Developing critical and sustaining infrastructure)

I will be collaborating and assisting with grant writing to secure stable educator schedule, and strengthen operational micro funding through Ashoka, Kiva, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Social Media Maps, and other global companies/non-profits. I will be doing this remotely and on an on-going basis pre and post Ghana trip.

(Developing critical and sustaining infrastructure)

Logistics

I  will be available for 3 weeks in Summer 2011. 

I have good friend who is willing to provide me with a room while in Accra so lodging will not be a cost.

Costs: (budget for for round trip airfare and food/water)Food/Water: 150.00 Airfare: 2300.00 Financing: Spitz Fund: 600.00Other Financial Sponsors: Gates Foundation, Kiva, Ashoka, Elevation

Partners, SCISS, Ghana Newspapers, Ghana Companies, African Science Academy Development Initiative, Others to be developed: 1850.00 

Reccomendations

Sally Brummel: MN Planetarium Society Edu. Outreach Coordinator 

“I have supervised Tom Zahler as a volunteer for the Minnesota Planetarium Society since March 2009. As the Education Outreach Coordinator, I manage the operations and staffing for our school and public outreach programming. Tom has been of great assistance with event planning, developing new partnerships between our society and other institutions, and delivering programming. Tom began training on the ExploraDome, our portable planetarium, in June 2009 and was educating groups just a few short weeks later. Since then he has been developing and presenting original programming. He has also introduced new delivery methods on social networks that our staff hadn't considered. Tom has proven to be a reliable volunteer we can count on to enrich the programming and marketing of our organization.” March 15, 2010

Joel Halvorson: MN Planetarium Society Director: To be Added

Dr. Jacob Ashong: Ghana Planetarium Society Director: To be Added

Conclusion

In conclusion I understand the Spitz fund is limited and that it is critical to make every dollar count.

In this endeavor I hope to build solid, self-sustaining capacity for the Ghana Planetarium, and publicize the efforts via the IPS Journal in a submitted article, continual social media updates, and blogging.