Michael D. Reynolds facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Michael D. Reynolds
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Reynolds, c. 1986
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| Born | March 30, 1954 Florida, United States
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| Died | October 15, 2019 (aged 65) Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
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| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Mike Reynolds Mike D. Reynolds |
| Education | Florida Junior College (AA) Thomas Edison State University (BA) University of North Florida (MED) University of Florida (PhD) |
| Awards | Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society (2004) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Astronomy Education |
| Institutions | Florida State College at Jacksonville Chabot Space and Science Center University of North Florida |
| Thesis | Two-Dimensional Versus Three-Dimensional Conceptualization in Astronomy Education (1990) |
Michael David Reynolds (born March 30, 1954 – died October 15, 2019) was an American writer and teacher. He taught astronomy at Florida State College at Jacksonville in Florida. He also led the Chabot Space and Science Center in California. Reynolds was famous for teaching science in many ways. He helped people learn about astronomy and space exploration.
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Early Life and Education
Reynolds grew up in Jacksonville, Florida. He went to Duncan U. Fletcher High School. When he was in elementary school, Reynolds watched the first American space flight with a person in it. This was Freedom 7, and he saw it on TV. This event helped him fall in love with space.
He later studied at Thomas Edison State University in New Jersey. In 1980, he earned a bachelor's degree in natural sciences. In 1982, he received a Master of Education in science from the University of North Florida. Reynolds then earned his PhD in science education and astronomy in 1990. He got this degree from the University of Florida. His main research was about how people understand space in 2D versus 3D.
Career Highlights
Reynolds started his career in 1981 as a teacher. He taught physics and chemistry at Duncan U. Fletcher High School. Because of his great work there, he was named the 1986 Florida Teacher of the Year.
NASA Teacher in Space Project
In 1985, Reynolds was a top candidate for NASA's Teacher in Space Project. This program aimed to send a civilian teacher into space on a Space Shuttle. The next year, he went to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. He was there to watch teacher Christa McAuliffe and six other crew members. Sadly, they died when the Space Shuttle Challenger broke apart. After this sad event, the Florida Department of Education and NASA created a new job for him. He became the Christa McAuliffe Ambassador for Education.
Planetarium Director and Research
Reynolds later worked as a planetarium director. He worked at the Museum of Science and History (MOSH).
His main astronomy research focused on objects in our Solar System. He also studied meteorites. He led trips around the world to see total solar eclipses. He also researched meteorite craters and found meteorites. In 2005, he worked with Meade Instruments. He helped create a special kit with meteorites and other space rocks.
Astronomy Leadership
Reynolds was the president of the Antique Telescope Society. He also served on the board of directors for the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers (ALPO). He helped start the Astronomical League’s Outreach Award Program in 2001. He was the national leader of this program until 2015.
He was a member of the American Astronomical Society. He was also a fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society. Reynolds was part of several national non-profit groups. These groups focused on astronomy outreach and space exploration education.
Reynolds was the Executive Director Emeritus of the Chabot Space and Science Center in California. He was the leader and CEO of the Science Center from 1991 to 2002. He helped design and raise money for a new, much larger science center. This new center opened in 2000. He was also an expert in old and rare astronomy items.
Author and Speaker
Reynolds wrote several books about astronomy. These include Binocular Stargazing (2003) and Falling Stars (2000). He also wrote and edited for Astronomy magazine. Besides leading trips worldwide, Reynolds was a popular speaker. He loved to talk to audiences about all things related to space.
Death
Mike Reynolds passed away at his home on October 15, 2019. He was 65 years old.
Awards and Honors
- Asteroid 298877 Michaelreynolds was named after him. Astronomers found this asteroid in 2004.
- Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, elected in 2004.
- NASA Teacher in Space Project finalist, 1985.
- Florida Teacher of the Year, 1986.
- G. Bruce Blair Medal recipient, 2002.
- Recipient of the Astronomical League's Peltier Award, 2002.
