26 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JANUARY 9-15, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com CULTURE Chartwell School in Seaside has an amazing science lab installation thanks to Garrett Rowe, the physics and astronomy teacher. Entering the lab can change anyone into a future astronomer. With the lights off, one feels as a passenger of a spacecraft must feel. The ceiling and walls shine with phosphorescent objects, from the solar system to many types of stars and other bodies in the cosmos. Every object represents something real (or theoretical): supernovas, black holes, black dwarfs and iron stars. “First-time students who come here are in awe,” Rowe says. He works with students in the middle grades of high school—mostly sophomores and juniors, but seniors do participate in astronomy class. The installation is something beyond the educational norm. “It’s been a multi-year work in progress, and I think it encapsulates a lot of what we’re trying to accomplish in the classroom with experiential learning,” Rowe explains. The installation is part of the conceptional physics course, where the students learn about cosmology, waves and particle interactions. What they can observe in the classroom is the absorption and re-emission spectra of various objects that are all in phosphorus paint. They absorb long waves of ultraviolet light that re-emit it as visible light. It’s a bit of investigation on how it works mechanically, how individual particles of light interact with the molecules that caught these effects. “Students use them to make some predictions on wave function and behaviors of light versus particle interactions, particle duality, and some quantum mechanics,” Rowe says. The project is still in progress after almost three years. “I spent many hours on the ladder trying to attach these things,” he adds. when asked about his favorite planet, “It’s hard to beat Saturn,” Rowe says. “Its ring system is amazing. My students also love my favorite body in the system, which is Enceladus, a tiny moon around Saturn. It spews ice from its subsurface oceans and creates rain.” There are scientific questions to ask, as well as theoretical. If there is water on Saturn, why can’t we move there? Time and distance are the problem, according to Rowe. Current technology would not be successful. “Maybe 200 times further than to Mars,” Rowe estimates on Saturn’s distance from Earth. “Then there is food, fuel costs. But yeah, it would be nice.” GARRETT ROWE Star Voyager A Chartwell teacher uses a dazzling ceiling display to teach scientific wonders. By Agata Pop˛eda Science teacher Garrett Rowe says that he wanted to do such installations at previous schools, but never got permission. “Chartwell School is very accommodating.” he says. Indoor and outdoor dInIng and takeout Eat + Drink ’24 BEST RESTAURANT IN MONTEREY! JOIN US NIGHTLY FOR DINNER AT 5PM TWO HAPPY HOURS DAILY 5-6PM & 8-9PM Call or go to sardinefactory.com for details, reservations. 701 Wave Street, Monterey, 831-373-3775 OPEN EVERYDAY for DINNER at 4:30pm Offering all your favorites plus wine, cocktails, bottle and draft beers. 763 Wave St., Monterey 831.373.3778 thewhalingstation.com ’24 Best Steak Fisherman’s Wharf’s Newest Restaurant Serving Fresh Seafood, Pasta, Steaks, Sandwiches Open Daily at 11:30am Great views at the end of the Wharf #1 www.rockfishmonterey.com • 831.324.4375 Monterey’s MOST Recommended Pizzeria Open at 4pm Mon-Thurs • Open at 3pm Fri Open at 12pm Sat.& Sun. 725 Lighthouse Ave, Monterey giannispizzamonterey.com 831-649-1500 Best Pizza ’98-’24 Wood Fired Pizzas, Burgers, Pasta, salads, sandWiches and more 11:30am mon-Fri, 10am Sat & Sun melvilletav.com 484 Washington St., Downtown Monterey 831.643.9525 haPPY hour Food & drinK sPecials Sun-Thurs 4-6pm WEEKEND BRUNCH WITH BOTTOMLESS MIMOSAS 57 Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey 831-373-1851 www.abalonetti.com ’24 LUNCH & DINNER SERVED DAILY from 11:30am-8:30pm Monterey County’s Best Calamari Indoor and Outdoor Dining on the Dog Friendly Patio Tapas (Happy) Hour 4:30–6pm Nightly Saturday & Sunday Brunch 9am–1:30pm 700 Munras Ave., Monterey | 831-375-0176 | estebanrestaurant.com ’24 Best Appetizers/ Small Plates BEACH HOUSE RESTAURANT + BAR @ LOVERS POINT ★ CASUAL CALIFORNIA DINING INDOOR & PATIO DAILY AT 4:30PM 620 OCEAN VIEW BLVD. PACIFIC GROVE 831-375-2345 • BEACHHOUSEPG.COM LOVERS POINT BEACH CAFE OPEN DAILY, 9AM–4PM ’24 Best Restaurant in Pacific Grove
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjAzNjQ1NQ==