Tinker Thursday: Homemade Telescopes
Early telescopes used simple lenses to change how light entered the eye, revealing distant stars and moons in sharper detail. In this hands-on workshop at the Springfield Museums, participants learn how to make their own stargazing tools using everyday materials. As they explore how lenses bend light, they connect art and science to deepen their understanding of astronomy. Making a homemade telescope supports critical thinking and encourages a personal connection to the night sky. Who first realized that glass and light could bring the universe closer to home? This question unfolds through observation and experimentation.
Self-Directed Learning
How do telescopes bring the universe closer to home? Discover the history and science of telescopes, from early lenses that refracted light to modern reflectors that gather data from across the electromagnetic spectrum. Paired with the Springfield Museums’ telescope-building workshop, this video supports self-directed learning in astronomy, physics, optics, history, and engineering. Families can deepen their learning by experimenting with lenses at home, comparing views through binoculars or stargazing apps, or asking how telescopes have changed what we know about space and time.
