In celebration of the International Year of Astronomy (IYA) 2009, the Lamar Bruni Vergara Science Center and Planetarium hosted “Rock-It Fest 2009” on Saturday, April 18. An estimated 1500-2000 person mix of TAMIU familiars and Laredo families toured the campus grounds, enjoying food and attractions, such as face painting, a Nintendo Wii booth, a moon walk, tug-of-war, and more.Considering the light rain on Saturday morning, turnout was a pleasant surprise for Gerardo A. Perez, Director of the LBV Planetarium. “The weather seems to be cooperating. We were a little worried about that,” said Perez. “But it seems like there are a lot of people coming in. I’m very excited.”Various student organizations, such as the TAMIU Psychology Club and Teacher Club participated. The university’s Classical Spanish Ballet and Ballet Folklorico performed on a stage set up in front of the Killam Library. But the main attraction was Sesame Street’s own Big Bird. Not only did Big Bird and his Sesame Street comrade Elmo greet the kids and take pictures, but they helped promote the debut of the LBV Planetarium’s newest show, “One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure.”The latest of the planetarium’s educational offerings, “One World, One Sky” made its Laredo premiere to a packed house of parents and children inside the LBV’s 45-foot dome theater. In the show, Big Bird and Elmo, introduce Hu Hu Zhu, a Muppet from Zhima Jie, the Chinese version of Sesame Street. The three take viewers on a tour of space and the moon, and along the way, viewers learn several astronomical skills and concepts such as the location of the North Star and why a kite can’t be flown on the moon. Perez believes the educational nature of the show fits right into the mission of IYA 2009. “The International Year of Astronomy is trying to create not only awareness of astronomy but of the sciences in general, especially amongst the little ones,” Perez said. “It’s hard to describe the feeling when you see a child look through a telescope for the first time.”Science awareness and science literacy, according to Perez, is important not only for the young but also the young at heart.”We also would like to get the general public involved…. We’re trying to get as many people as possible to look through a telescope this year, but mainly, this is all for science awareness,” he said. One family that walked away from the show with increased science awareness was Andy and Cindy Arreguin, visitors from the Laredo community who brought their daughter. “I thought the show was a good experience for my daughter,” said Andy Arreguin. “The graphics were awesome.”Though the “One World, One Sky” premiere marked the first time the Arreguins visited the LBV Planetarium, it may not be their last.”We would definitely come again,” said Cindy Arreguin. While the daylight festivities were designed with kids in mind, the evening events put the “rock” in “Rock-it Fest.”Beginning at 7 p.m., the fest featured the bands Fallen on September and Automatic Weekend. Evening visitors also had he opportunity to view the planetarium’s latest show enTRANCEed, which combines digital animation, laser beams, and visual effects.”Rock-It Fest 2009″ was the brainchild of students enrolled in Public Relations Campaigns, a senior-level communications course taught by TAMIU Associate Professor of Communication Dr. Lynda S. Brown.”The class worked really hard on this campaign. It took us the whole semester to plan it. They created a TV commercial, a radio commercial. They wrote press releases for the Laredo Morning Times. They did public appearances, and they had a radio campaign on five stations,” said Brown. One of Brown’s students, Jorge Quijano, appreciated the experience. “This has probably been the best project I’ve ever been a part of because of the experience and the networking it let us do,” said Quijano. Others integral to the event’s success were the corporate sponsors, including Macy’s, Border Media, and the Webb County Sheriff’s Department. Midway through the festival, the Union Pacific Foundation presented Perez and Dr. Pablo Arenaz, provost and vice president for academic affair, with a gift of $10,000 in support of its educational endeavors. The presentation was made by Ivan Jaime, Union Pacific’s director of border policy and community affairs.Not only did “Rock-it Fest” celebrate IYA 2009 but also the LBV Planetarium’s 4th year of operation; Perez says there’s more to come.