SANTA Cruz County, Arizona (KGUN) – The Smithsonian Association’s new initiative aims to bring the wonders of space directly into Arizona’s most remote classrooms.
Program, called Star (scientist taking astronomy to a rural school)in fall 2025, it will begin at schools in Santa Cruz County before expanding statewide, and will eventually be released nationwide.
At the heart of the programme is its mission to bridge the educational gap between rural and urban communities by providing students with access to tools and experiences they may not have. All participating schools will receive a Celestron telescope along with a collection of filters and lenses, allowing students to study the night sky during the school day.
Amy Oliver, Arizona’s Stars Program Director, says the country paradox of Arizona is impressive. “They have access to the dark sky,” she explained.
By integrating astronomy into the classroom, Oliver and Smithsonian hopes not only to explore the universe, but to inspire students to gain confidence in related fields.
“It’s not just about teaching kids about astronomy,” she said. “It gives them confidence in their ideas about mathematics, engineering, art and technology.”
Oliver emphasized that the program is particularly important for students in isolated fields who often miss informal learning opportunities such as museum visits and science centers.
Program launch Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory At Amado, there is the only Veritas gamma-ray telescope array of the Northern Hemisphere, celebrating the iconic steps that bring cutting-edge science to the next generation.
“We have the opportunity to inspire and give our kids confidence so that we can know that astronomy is a job for me too. “We want to really start thinking about who they want to be and what they want to be.
Schools interested in incorporating stars into their curriculum Please fill out the registration form on the program website. Oliver says the program can begin earlier than the school submits the form.
For more information, please see Star website.
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Joel Foster He is a multimedia journalist at KGUN 9 and previously worked as an English teacher in both the Boston and Tucson areas. Joel has experience in technology, finance, nonprofit organizations, and public sector web, printing and video. In his off-time, we may catch Joel taking part in Tucson’s local comedy scene. Share your story ideas with Joel joel.foster@kgun9.comor by connecting Facebook, Instagram or x.
