I actually became an atheist because of last year’s (2nd Annual) Carl Sagan Day. Up until the Sagan Day of 2010, I began to think that I couldn’t count on anything or anyone to give me a straight answer (in hindsight, I think my religious upbringing helped in skewing the entire concept of science for me). I set out on my own to attempt to solve the classic riddle of everything. Misinformation and frustration soon caused me to sink into a stationary puddle of apathy toward the bigger questions that aggravated my consciousness; the questions we all try to tackle in life.  I wandered from the philosophy of religion to theism to a sort of anti-religious agnosticism and from there I remained in what felt like a purgatory between the real and surreal–I came very close to the philosophy of a general skeptic or atheist or secularist but I lacked that extra push. The things that held me back were probably the negative stereotypes of non-theism, the misconception of science that I had been taught, and my misunderstanding of the secular community.

Fortuitously, I was informed of the Sagan Day event by one of my friends. I had never even heard of Carl Sagan before, but after watching the thirteen episodes of “Cosmos” (also recommended by my friend) my interest was peaked. I arrived at the event early, not sure what to expect but eager to learn and examine what people had to say. As a result, I started seeing science in its true form. I fell in love with the sentiment of exploration and raw, courageous human innovation. After listening to every last presentation on that day, and seeing all of the people around me who were just as curious and interested in the world as I was, I exited my intellectual limbo and I have been involved in the secular movement ever since.

Thanks to the memory of Carl Sagan and the messages he left behind.

Attendees of Sagan Day listening to a presentation by Reggie Hudson

This past weekend several secular organizations and clubs in the community of South Florida came together to once again host (the 3rd Annual) Carl Sagan day. Perhaps I am a bit partial, but I think this was one of the most successful events I have seen since joining the movement in South Florida Three years ago the vision was born in a small group of people, and now I am happy to have seen it grow.

one of the many activities at Carl Sagan Day: face painting!

On November 12th, 2011 we had our 3rd annual Sagan day at Broward College North Campus in and outside of the Omni Auditorium. Teacher Workshops were held from 9 am to 12 pm in a nearby building on campus that featured the Bologna Detection Kit. At 12 pm the festivities began with a planetarium, kid’s activities and home-made water rocket launch station (over 60 rockets were launched that day!). There were various booths supporting scientific and secular organizations or causes that passer-bys could visit.

picture of the portion of booths at Sagan Day

My committee was in charge of kid’s activities, which was a lot fun to organize and execute! Our three key activities were the rocket launch station (headed by an amazing science teacher named Alan), the “Solar System Tour” (led by a very talented and knowledgeable student named Gabrielle) and “Sagan’s Garage” (yes, this was inspired by the chapter from Sagan’s “A Demon Haunted World” :-) ). All of these activities were geared toward teaching science and critical thinking to the children. We also had small side activities like “Draw Your Own Alien Species” and “UFO Throw.”

passports were handed out for the Solar System Tour

rehearsing Sagan's Garage (you can see the set in the background)

We had presenters, some from the Planetary Society and NASA, give a talk every hour after 1 pm and at 5 pm we had a personal meet and greet with hero and legend James Randi. At 7 pm the Amazing Randi was interviewed by Jeff Wagg about his memories of Carl Sagan, who was a very close and dear friend of his.

meet and greet with James Randi

I encourage you, reader, if you do not have a Sagan Day in your area, to organize one and collaborate with your secular community. Carl Sagan Day is meant to continue the legacy that Sagan left with us. The various poetic messages he left behind still inspire us today to be passionate about science and critically evaluating the world–galaxy–universe–pale blue dot we live in. It is good to remind the public about that. However, most of all, in my opinion, Sagan Day is meant to continue to invoke the imagination; to encourage the ambitious search for knowledge within people via the vast potential of space, the study of our world, and the gratification that comes with exploring it.

I have many organizations and clubs to thank for making this engaging and educational event possible: The Center for Inquiry of Ft. Lauderdale (the president, Jeanette, was our committee leader, organizer, and supported the event financially); FLASH (Florida Atheists and Secular Humanists) – the president built the set for our kid’s activity, “Sagan’s Garage,” and also supported the event immensely, including financially; Broward College itself for its phenomenal cooperation and generosity; and The James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF). I would like to thank the Science Club at Broward College North Campus for making and selling hamburgers, hot dogs, sodas, and chips at the event. And last but not least I would like to give a warm shout-out to my own club members of Center for Inquiry @ Broward College Central Campus for their enthusiastic assistance with the kid’s activities, specifically theatrical help with “Sagan’s Garage.”

May the legacy of the great astronomer and teacher, Carl Sagan, never die.