Despite years of effort, diversifying the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) remains a challenge. In fact, in 2019, underrepresented minorities held only nine percent of academic positions in science, engineering and health, according to a report from the National Science Foundation (NSF).
Now, researchers at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian are pursuing a new avenue to help address this problem: astronomy.
“Our research suggests that astronomy, especially when experienced in personally and culturally relevant contexts, can be an early gateway to attract youth to STEM,” says Mary Dussault, a science educator at the Center for Astrophysics (CfA). “Astronomy has a broad appeal, with its prevalence in the news and popular culture, along with the fact that we all have big questions about our place in space and time, which are deeply existential.”
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IMAGE: A YouthAstroNet participant uses his newly acquired image analysis skills to create a composite image of an exploded star using real data from Chandra X-ray Observatory. view more
Credit: Mary Dussault / Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian
Cambridge, MA ¬- Despite years of effort, diversifying the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) remains a challenge. In fact, in 2019, underrepresented minorities held only 9 percent of academic positions in science, engineering and health, according to a report from the National Science Foundation (NSF).
Now, researchers at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian are pursuing a new avenue to help address this problem: astronomy.
This telescope located in Cerro Tololo, Chile is just one of many within the MicroObservatory Robotic Telescope Network. (Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory)
This freely available technology tool provides a unique learning experience for budding astronomers and artists alike.
What does it take to create a colorful image of the Lagoon Nebula? How do telescopes capture the incredible details in objects millions or even billions of light years away? What can we learn from a beautiful image of a spiral galaxy? These are just a few of the many questions we encourage learners to explore as we invite them on a journey to become an astronomical imager, or astrophotographer.