Outreach
Dark Skies, Bright Kids
Dark Skies, Bright Kids (DSBK) is an outreach program based out of the Astronomy Department at the University of Virginia. It aims to enhance science education at under-served elementary schools in the Charlottesville area through hands-on activities that foster the natural curiosity of children. With DSBK, I have organized and regularly attended weekly afterschool clubs and week-long summer camps, hosted Star Parties, given dozens of planetarium shows, led event planning, and assessed the outcomes of our programs. DSBK has been such an important and joyful part of my time in graduate school!
Girls Exploring the Universe
Girls Exploring the Universe (GETU) is a week-long summer camp for middle-school girls in Charlottesville. I have helped lead activities and given presentations about galaxies and their classification.
Astronomy on Tap, Charlottesville
Astronomy on Tap brings astronomy talks, games, and trivia to a local brewery for a night of fun public engagement. I regularly help run these events and have given talks and designed the trivia as well. You'll see me there under my pseudonym, Big DIPA.
Public Nights at Charlottesville Observatories
The University of Virginia's historic McCormick Observatory is open to the public on the first and third Friday of every month, and Fan Mountain Observatory has public nights once per semester. I volunteer at these events, leading telescope observing and giving talks.