NASA Space Scientists Inspire Idaho Stargazers
NASA’s Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve (CIDSR) STEM Network is very excited to welcome its first NASA-funded astronomer-in-residence! Catherine Slaughter will lead space science outreach events and give community lectures to share her love of astronomy with the public. The Idaho Statesman recently published a news story on the many ways Catherine and the team will inspire Idaho stargazers in partnership with America’s first Gold-Tier International Dark Sky Reserve. Quote from the story:
“Idaho is a state that struggles with educational resources, but with the advantage of world-class dark skies, Idahoans can stargaze and do amateur astronomy in ways that are essentially impossible in other parts of the country. That’s what makes astronomy outreach in the state so important.” ~ Brian Jackson, Principal Investigator, NASA’s Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve (CIDSR) STEM Network
The CIDSR STEM Network is made up of STEM engagement efforts throughout the state of Idaho. The project team has forged a cornerstone partnership with the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve. It will bring NASA directly into the classroom and advance national education goals by providing authentic science experiences, especially for learners in under-resourced, rural populations. They also plan to engage locals in citizen science with space scientists as part of their light pollution monitoring and astronomer-in-residence programs. Such efforts improve U.S. scientific literacy by directly involving residents of under-resourced areas in the scientific process and leveraging efforts through the archetypal partnership of citizen science.
The Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve STEM Network is supported by NASA under a $1 million cooperative agreement, award number 80NSSC22M0008, and is part of NASA’s Science Activation Portfolio.
Check out the Science Activation Events & Activities webpage for more ways you and your community can engage in NASA Science.
