Thinkbutton Blog

2009 - International Year of Astronomy

  Did you know that 2009 is the International Year of Astronomy? Sounds pretty impressive, but what does it mean and what can we do to be a part of the celebration?  Glad you asked.  The International Year of Astronomy is a global effort started by the International Astronomical Union and supported by the United Nations and International Council of Science.  In a nutshell, this effort focuses on global, national, regional, and local activities that foster humans' awareness of the day and night skies and how we may discover our place in the Universe and all the wonder it brings to us. 2009 marks the 400th anniversary of Galileo's first use of a telescope, as well as, several other historic scientific events.

How can you get involved?  NASA has several events posted on their website along with information for educators and Astronomy enthusiasts.  A great way to get involved in the celebration is to go outside and look up.  Every month the sky offers an impressive show that is sure to delight and fascinate.

Get a telescope or book on Astronomy and celebrate the awe of the Universe with a child in your life.  Even a set of binoculars will offer a clearer perspective to the endless mysteries we have yet to uncover about our place universe.  The scientific discoveries are endless and waiting for the next generation of astronomers to look up and wonder:  where do we fit in?

Team Thinkbutton Adds An Educational Consultant

Team Thinkbutton has a new member!  Valerie Garnjost joins the team as an Educational Consultant and Liaison. She hails from the Northeast with undergraduate and graduate degrees in Early Childhood Education; and, has over eight years experience teaching with various day care facilities.  Her primary role will be to generate and manage sales in the educational sector, as well as, advise on product review, selection, and design.  We are confident that Valerie's expertise will further enhance our place within the children's educational community so that we may increase our opportunities to provide unique products and impeccable customer service to a broader range of educators. 

Valerie will also be contributing her educational knowledge to our blog.  So, be sure to check back regularly.  Welcome Valerie, we are glad to have you on board! 

Earth Friendly Items Featured on Disney Family Website

Hairy, the Xeko Pals Hairy-Eared Dwarf Lemur plush pal and the 1001 Ways to Save the Earth reference book are featured on disneyfamily.com.  These items were selected, by the Disney staff, to be part of their eco-boutique.  We have always known that these products are not only Earth-friendly, but, they are great gifts for kids and adults to enjoy and learn from.  We are pleased that the Disney staff has recognized them as well!

Kids' Science Challenge Update

Thinkbutton is pleased to announce that our packaging team is in the process of shipping out prizes to some of the winners of the first annual Kids' Science Challenge.  771 children from across the nation submitted their ideas and challenged the judges with their creative, scientific thinking.  Over the next few months the grand prize  winners will be meeting with scientists to transform their ideas into real working scientific solutions.  How awesome is that! 

Thinkbutton awarded prizes in the SETI and Water Ecology categories. The winners in the SETI category won a Young Scientists Club Astronomy Kit and Hubble Space Card Deck.  The winners of the Water Ecology category won an Aquatic Explorer Kit, Awesome Ocean Science Activity Book or a Professor Noggins Life in the Ocean Card Game.  Congratulations to all the winners and everyone who entered the competition.  Be sure to visit the Kids' Science Challenge site and vote for your favorite entry.