College of the Canyons • Canyon Country Campus
SERIES PRESENTS
& SCIENCE SHOWCASE Friday, November 3 | 6 – 9:30pm Canyon Country Campus 17200 Sierra Highway
Guest Speaker:
Dr. Varoujan Gorjian JPL Research Astronomer
“A Brief History of JPL” • Faculty and student presentations • Tours of the Takeda Science Center • Hands-on demonstrations and activities • High-powered telescopes for viewing • FREE event and open to the community
For more information: www.canyons.edu/ccc
ABOUT THE SANTA CLARITA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT The Santa Clarita Community College District serves a 367-square-mile service area in northern Los Angeles County. College of the Canyons (COC), the single college within the district, has campuses in Valencia and Canyon Country as well as online. Located on a 153-acre campus in Valencia and a 70-acre campus in Canyon Country, the College offers classes during fall and spring semesters, as well as summer and winter intersessions. COC offers approximately 96 associate degree programs and 160 certificates, along with 30 undergraduate and graduate degree programs available in the University Center from multiple partner institutions. Opened in 2007, the Canyon Country Campus has become known as a comprehensive campus that offers high-quality instructional programs, supportive student services, and meaningful community partnerships. In the past sixteen years, the campus has offered approximately 9,000 classes and served more than 70,000 students. The campus continues to transform with new facilities and enhanced services, such as the Takeda Science Center which opened to students in Fall 2021, providing state-of-the-art laboratory and classroom space for high-demand instructional programs. In Spring 2023, the campus also opened a new Student Services & Learning Resources Center with integrated student support functions, library, tutoring, and classrooms. Adjacent to the Science Center, this dynamic facility provides engaging student spaces and support services in the center of campus. Future facilities anticipated include a Health & Natural Sciences Center, expanding access to science instruction and related career opportunities. Overall, the Canyon Country Campus continues to provide relevant and supportive opportunities and pathways for students. College of the Canyons has maintained its status over the years as one of the largest employers in the Santa Clarita Valley and is a vital cultural, educational, and economic force in the region. The Canyon Country Campus contributes to this educational work and community impact. For more information, including class schedules and registration information, please visit the website below:
COLLEGE OF THE CANYONS
CANYON COUNTRY CAMPUS 17200 Sierra Highway, Santa Clarita, CA 91351 (661) 362-3800 | www.canyons.edu/ccc
EVENT AGENDA
The GALCIT rocketeers taking a break from setting up their experimental rocket motor in the Arroyo Seco. Left to right: Rudolph Schott, Apollo M. O. Smith, Frank Malina, Edward Forman, Jack Parsons. October 31, 1936. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
6 – 7pm
Science Showcase (Upper Plaza) Faculty and student presentations / Tours of the Takeda Science Center
6 – 9:30pm
Explore Interactive Table Displays and visit our indoor, portable Planetarium (Upper Plaza) • Stop by the table displays to see activities and projects, provided by College of the Canyons’ student clubs, departments and other groups. • Sign up to experience our planetarium (Limited space available. First come first serve)
6 – 9:30pm
Telescope Viewing (Cougar Way) Telescopes are provided by the Local Group Astronomy Club of SCV, the Antelope Valley Astronomer’s Club, and by College of the Canyons.
7 – 7:15pm
Welcome & Opening Remarks (Amphitheater) Dr. Ryan Theule, Campus Vice President, and Mr. Anthony Michaelides, Campus Dean
7:15 – 7:20pm
Local Group Astronomy Club (Amphitheater) Dave Flynn, Member, The Local Group Astronomy Club of SCV
7:20 – 7:30pm
Meet Our Students (Amphitheater) Professor Teresa Ciardi and the Aerospace and Science Team
7:30 – 8:15pm
A Brief History of JPL (Amphitheater) Presenter: Dr. Varoujan Gorjian, JPL Research Astronomer
8:15 – 8:30pm
Q&A
8:30 – 8:40pm
Closing Remarks Thank you for joining us!!
SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER Dr. Varoujan Gorjian JPL Research Astronomer A Brief History of JPL
From helping launch the United States’ first artificial satellite, to building robots to explore the solar system, to making cameras for the Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory has been at the forefront of space exploration for over 80 years. Come and see the story unfold with pictures from the earliest planetary missions to the latest deep space images from the James Webb Space Telescope, all set in motion in Los Angeles by a group of amateur rocket enthusiasts. Come listen a bit more... Dr. Varoujan Gorjian obtained his undergraduate degree in Astronomy at Caltech in 1992 and his Ph.D. at UCLA in 1998. He then went to work at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory on the Spitzer Space Telescope project (2003-2020) and he has been there ever since. His research interests range from supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies to planets orbiting around nearby stars. He is also very involved with education and public outreach and does research with high school science teachers from across the country.
Corporal E Round 31 launch at the U.S. Army’s White Sands Proving Ground, May 22, 1947. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
A Douglas A-20 bomber testing JPL liquid-fueled Jet-Assisted Take Off motors in 1942. Credit: NASA/ JPL-Caltech
SPACE TRAVEL TO AN EXOPLANET What is JPL?
By Professor Teresa Ciardi
JPL (Jet Propulsion Lab) is a NASA site where scientist and engineers, and many others in support roles work to forward technology for space exploration and our understanding of phenomena in space. You can learn about a variety of topics on the JPL website, like exoplanets, stars and galaxies, robotics, asteroid watches, weather, and climate change. https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/
Internships
There are several internship opportunities for undergraduate level STEM students – https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/intern/apply/
Free Lecture Series
JPL’s Theodore von Kármán Lecture Series - completely virtual event, taking place once per month – https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/jpl-and-the-community/lectureseries
AEROSPACE & SCIENCE TEAM UPDATE Aerospace & Science Team By Ryan Jones
Starting my first year at COC, one of my priorities was to get involved; I wanted real opportunities to use what I learned and have something to show for it beyond just a letter grade. The Astronomy and Physics Club was exactly what I was looking for! The Astronomy & Physics Club provides an exciting and inclusive space where all students feel welcomed and encouraged to learn. The club offers workshops, team-building activities, and field excursions, including private tours of SpaceX and JPL. However, one of the most exciting opportunities that the club provides is its Aerospace and Science Teams. Each year, the teams compete to design, build, and launch scientific payloads from NASA platforms. And like the club, they seek students of all interests and skill levels! For nine consecutive years, COC teams have been selected to participate in collegiate missions like NASA HASP (High Altitude Student Platform) and NASA RockSatX. These real-world missions give participants the ability to jump-start their career or academic journey. Professor Teresa Ciardi, the club’s advisor, has counted 98 internships/scholarships and 6 full-time professions from students who participated. Above all, students are allowed to develop leadership skills and technical knowledge outside of the classroom, in a fun and supportive community.
CLUBS/GROUPS PARTICIPATING AT TONIGHT'S EVENT Join us in thanking the following clubs, departments and organizations represented at the demonstration tables this evening: Associated Student Government (ASG) For more information, please visit: https://www.canyons.edu/asg Astronomy & Physics Club For more information, please email: hasp.rsxteam@gmail.com or visit: https:// www.canyons.edu/studentservices/campuslife/clubs/list.php Biological & Environmental Sciences For more information, please visit: https://www.canyons.edu/academics/biology/ index.php Chemistry Club For more information, please email: cocchemclub@gmail.com or visit: https:// www.canyons.edu/academics/chemistry/club.php Civic Engagement Club For more information, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/Coccecccc/ Earth and Space Sciences For more information, please email: renee.wolf@canyons.edu or visit: https://www.canyons.edu/academics/earthsciences/index.php Future Business Leaders of America For more information, please email: cocfbla@my.canyons.edu Helping Us Become (HUB) Club For more information, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/COCHUBCLUB/ Library For more information, please visit: https://www.canyons.edu/academics/library/ index.php MESA – Math, Engineering, and Science Achievement For more information, please visit: https://www.canyons.edu/academics/mesa/ index.php Parallax Photo Club For more information, please visit: https://www.canyons.edu/academics/ photography/club.php Psychology Club & Psi Beta For more information, please email: deanna.riveira@canyons.edu and tammy. mahan@canyons.edu William S. Hart District Education Pathway For more information, please email: https://www.hartdistrict.org
CANYON COUNTRY CAMPUS FACILITIES
The Takeda Science Center is a beautiful and important facility at the Canyon Country Campus. Opened for initial classes in Fall 2021, the fourstory structure is situated at the center of campus on Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook Drive, a campus road named in 2018 to honor the Chancellor’s 30+ years of service to College of the Canyons. With nineteen state of the art classrooms and labs, this facility is an important part of student access, engagement, and success on campus. An adjacent terraced amphitheater and plaza also provides student instruction and gathering space outdoors alongside the facility. The Student Services & Learning Resources Center located to the south of the Science Center provides a one-stop center for student support services, tutoring, library, and classroom spaces. Together, these two facilities are dynamic, studentbenefiting landmarks at the heart of the Canyon Country Campus.
Our sincere THANKS to all who made this evening possible! College of the Canyons Board of Trustees Edel Alonso • Sebastian Cazares • Jerry Danielsen • Charles Lyon • Joan MacGregor
College of the Canyons Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook
Guest Speaker, Dr. Varoujan Gorjian Research Astronomer, JPL
The Antelope Valley Astronomy Club The Local Group Astronomy Club of Santa Clarita The Star Party Committee Teresa Ciardi • Anthony Michaelides• Jamie Page • Maria Sanchez • Dr. Ryan Theule
All COC Departments, Clubs, and Staff who support this event! Additional Information about the Canyon Country Campus, including info on how to support student scholarships, is available at — www.canyons.edu/canyoncountry
Student Scholarship QR Code – Thank You!