2026 Night at the Observatory
On Tuesday, April 21, 2026, from 7:00pm-9:00 p.m., 10 METRIC scholars and 2 faculty gathered in HSCI-224, the Hall of Science conference room at California State University, Long Beach, for an evening of astronomy exploration and community building. The event began with a hands-on activity in which participants constructed simple Galileo-style telescopes using reading glasses, while learning about the history of astronomy and how scientific inquiry has shaped our understanding of the universe.
The evening continued with a collaborative, team-based challenge held in the hallway, where students worked in groups—Team Maxwell and Team Bond—to locate planets and place them at accurate relative distances. In the first phase, teams searched for hidden planets, decoded clues, and reported the sum of their findings. In the second phase, they applied their knowledge to arrange the planets along a scaled model that extended the length of the hallway, reinforcing concepts of spatial relationships within our solar system while encouraging teamwork and problem-solving.
To conclude the event, participants moved to the rooftop to observe the night sky. While the Galileo-style telescopes provided a historical perspective, binoculars proved especially effective for stargazing. As temperatures dropped around 9:00 p.m., the group wrapped up the evening, having gained both a deeper appreciation for astronomy and a strengthened sense of community within the METRIC program.
Event Photos
