Canadian Preparations for IYA2009 Jim Hesser, Dennis Crabtree, Jayanne English, Peter Jedicke, Remi Lacasse, John Percy, Andy Woodsworth, Scott Young (Steering Committee)

IYA2009 Canada Committee Partnership of organizations involved in communicating astronomy as a science and hobby with the public and students Endeavoring to celebrate IYA2009 by: –defining, developing, coordinating and/or managing national programs; –providing a bilingual (French, English) website that serves as the central resource for Canadian IYA2009 activities and as a clearinghouse of local and regional IYA2009 activities to encourage, inspire and support broader participation at the local level –raising funds for the definition, development and management of national programs and activities for IYA2009 –promoting IYA2009 through our website, the media and our member organizations

IYA2009 Canada Committee Broad goal: ensure that Canada's celebration reaches as many Canadians as possible, particularly youth, through, e.g.: –active engagement with the First Nations and Inuit (aboriginal) peoples –efforts joint with arts and cultural organizations –supporting, encouraging local groups (amateurs, colleges, universities) to conduct programmes Working Groups on Programs, Resources, and on Web and Media Relations planned –Seeking leader at FTE level Canada Post evaluating proposal for a series of astronomy-themed stamps Early response from IAU SPOC listing suggests widespread interest

Activities Under Consideration Galileo Did It: >1,000,000 Canadians to look through a telescope Hands-on experiences for youth Educational poster featuring Canadian astronomy National lecture series (IYP2005 series successful) Promoting appreciation for First Nations & Inuit traditions of heavens Symphony and art events with astronomical themes Canadian astronomy DVD Series of astronomy-themed stamps (proposal submitted) Coin by Canadian mint

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