RESEARCH
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Experiments in Public Engagement and Education at the U.S.

Stephen Pompea
National Optical Astronomy Observatory, U.S.A

Abstract
The US National Optical Astronomy Observatory, in Tucson, Arizona and La Serena Chile is actively engaged in a number of experiments to improve science education and to interest the public in astronomy. These efforts include projects in citizen science, science kit design and production, and Saturday Academies for high school students on big data and the future of astronomy. We also have a strong focus on preserving the night sky around our observatories and in teaching about the tools of astronomy. Both observatory stations attract visitors from over the world and our Visitor Centers and programs are a new focus of our efforts. A new approach we have been pursuing for the last 4 years is to combine art with science, in the hopes of attracting underrepresented groups in science to establish a science identity. I will describe some of our ongoing experiments and some lessons learned as we continue to change our program in response to the evolution of our observatory mission.

2017 February 23, 15:00

IA/U.Lisboa
Observatório Astronómico de Lisboa (Seminar room)
Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-018 Lisboa

Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade de Coimbra
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia COMPETE 2020 PORTUGAL 2020 União Europeia