El Camino's Community Education Department will present "Apollo 50," a celebration of the 50th anniversary of NASA's Apollo space program. This cultural series commemorates NASA's significant steps into space a half century ago. The Apollo program transfixed the world with unprecedented lunar landings, ushering in a cultural convergence of art and science. Participants in the "Apollo 50" will explore this connection between science and art through workshops inspired by the influence of Apollo and space exploration.

A photography workshop begins the series, offering an introduction to the basics of night and astrophotography from 4:30-7:30 p.m. March 7 in the Planetarium. "How to Shoot The Moon" will cover topics such as equipment, camera settings, location, post-processing, focusing in the dark, composing in the dark, and painting with light. Participants will also have the opportunity to view and photograph the moon using a telescope on El Camino College's rooftop observatory. No professional photography experience required – just a love of photography and admiration for the night sky! Bring any type of camera, phones included. The workshop will be led by artist, commercial photographer, and ECC instructor Josh Cho. A Planetarium show immediately follows the workshop, 7:30-8:30 p.m. To register, view https://bit.ly/2UrXRkC or call 310-660-6460.

A writing workshop is next, set for 10 a.m.-1 p.m. April 11 in the Planetarium. "Space Odyssey 2020: Science Fiction Short-Story Writing" explores the question, "What – and who – is out there?" In this workshop, participants will read and discuss short excerpts of space travel and moon colonization literature, write original stories, and share work to gather feedback and ideas for next steps. Attendees will leave the workshop with an intergalactic reading packet, several pieces of out-of-this-world writing, and a list of sci-fi publications for future submission possibilities. No previous professional writing experience necessary. The workshop will be led by writer, TV/film producer, and ECC instructor Suzie Hanrahan. To register, view https://bit.ly/2Utw2Zb or call 310-660-6460.

Continuing the "Apollo 50" theme, the student and alumni photography exhibition "Bodies in Motion/Celestial Bodies" will remain on display in the El Camino College Schauerman Library through April. The exhibition includes images of the moon, star tracings, and other bodies in motion, including sports and dance photography created by ECC Photography Department students and graduates.

Everyone is invited to participate in all activities; the fee for each workshop is $35. Admission to the photography exhibit is free. More info: 310-660-6460 or view http://www.eccommunityed.com/.