By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

Nearly 20 kids from age 6 to 11 learned the “ways of Jedi” at Friday evening’s Jedi Academy at Sternberg Museum of Natural History’s first Friday Night at the Museum of the year.

Sternberg’s Education Assistant Ian Trevethan said he came up with the idea after reading an article from the Geological Society of America about using the variety of fictional worlds in the Star Wars universe, including the ice world of Hoth and the desert world of Tatooine to explore the cultural geology of our own world.

“Tapping into popular culture to use that as vehicle to learn about science is really the goal here,” Trevathon said, noting there is a real history of the Jedi Knights in today’s culture.

“The Jedi philosophy is actually borrowed from a lot of cultural ideas that actually exist,” Trevathan said. “For example the Zen philosophy … using the path of least resistant, being aware, mindful and compassionate.”

The nights activities included exploring a planetarium, finding crystals in a cave and making light sabers out of customized pool noodles.

Fort Hays State University Professor of Geosciences Dr. Rich Lisichenko also taught the participants to “use the force” when using their light sabers.

“Not fighting techniques, but resolving conflict with Jedi principles without injuring another person … a blending of energies in order to find a peaceful resolution,” Lisinchenko said, adding while the kids might not fully understand the Zen philosophy of the Jedi, “It doesn’t matter, as long as they have fun.”

The theme for next month’s Friday Night at the Museum is “Superheros” and will be scheduled about a week before Halloween, Trevethan said.

For more information about upcoming events at Sternberg, call (785) 628-4286 or click HERE.