The 2019 Webinar workshop for educators is full. Thank you all for reaching out. Please stay tuned for future announcements to register for the next webinar in 2020!
Astronomy Workshop Training for Educators
Astronomy webinar workshop for middle school girls!
Universe: More Than Meets the Eye
Facilitated via Zoom by UC Irvine Astronomer, Astrobiologist, and TED Fellow Professor Aomawa Shields .
This webinar workshop is created for middle-school girls (grades 6-8) from groups traditionally underrepresented in the sciences*, this workshop will explore constellations in the night sky, planets in and outside of our solar system, and the unseen mysteries of the universe. We will use writing, visual art, and theater games to process what we learn and discover. Bring your open minds, your own stories, and a sense of adventure!
TEACHERS: Activities in this workshop can be done in your classrooms to complement an existing science curriculum, or as an after-school program. And it’s free of charge (funding provided by the National Science Foundation)! For more information, visit www.risingstargirls.org or email Rising Stargirls Outreach and Communications Assistant, Jessica Nicole Howard at <jnhoward@uci.edu>
An Unexpected Path to Becoming an Astronomer
Fall 2016 "The Universe and Me" Workshop
It's official - the Fall 2016 Rising Stargirls "The Universe and Me" workshop has wrapped up at YWCA Pasadena-Foothill Valley! From September 27 - October 20, the girls explored the universe through creative lenses; a few favorites included designing their own exoplanet, created their own constellations and origin myths, and developing poems and science communication pieces about life elsewhere in the universe.
Many of the girls were so excited to learn about astronomy & astrobiology, bringing their enthusiasm and creative ideas each day. Our last day culminated with an award ceremony to celebrate those who had successfully completed the program, raffling off items such as Celestial Buddies and a photograph donated by award-winning photojournalist Eugene Louie. Our girls also got to take home t-shirts designed by Rising Stargirls, astronomy-themed jewelry donated by Astronobeads designer Bea Doheny, and astrobiology graphic novels and other astrobiology/astronomy-themed gifts designed and donated by the NASA Astrobiology Institute.
Founder and Director Dr. Aomawa Shields' TED-Ed Lesson is Live!
As the number of “potentially habitable” planets that astronomers find continues to rise, we seem ever closer to answering the question, “Are we alone in the universe?” But should we be looking for life elsewhere? Rising Stargirls Founder and Director Dr. Aomawa Shields navigates the murky waters of pursuing curiosity in her latest TED-Ed lesson, "Should we be looking for life elsewhere in the universe?"
Designed as a resource for educators and curious students alike, the lesson addresses the philosophy behind the search for life elsewhere in the universe. Discussion questions and supplementary resources are also available in the lesson for you to explore and answer together.
Enjoy!
A Note to the Rising Stargirls Community
Dear Rising Stargirls Community,
The events of recent weeks in the United States have affected many in the US and across the globe, and those within some of the communities we serve more directly. Whether you are a young girl, a parent, an educator or both, it can be difficult to carry out the daily or weekly activities of living and working during these difficult times.
On behalf of Rising Stargirls, thank you for everything that you are doing to inspire young girls from all backgrounds — particularly those from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in the sciences — to explore the universe. These may seem like small actions amidst the turmoil, but they are not. Your actions are helping to build a more inclusive community of dreamers and scientists, and one that is reflective of the diverse global community of which we are all a part. Thank you. Please continue to take care of yourselves and the girls that you serve.
With gratitude and appreciation,
Dr. Aomawa Shields
Founder and Director, Rising Stargirls
West Coast Rising Stargirls Workshop in Fall 2016!
"The Universe and Me"
An Astronomy and Art Workshop
September 27 - October 20, 2016
Tuesday and Thursdays 4 - 6 pm
YWCA Pasadena-Foothill Valley
50 N. Hill Ave, Unit 301
Pasadena, CA 91106
This workshop, designed for young girls between ages 10 and 15, explored constellations in the night sky, planets in and outside of our solar system, and the unseen mysteries of the universe. We used writing, theater, visual art, and our own personal stories and lives to process what we discover. Participants brought a sense of adventure and curiosity, as well as their own unique background!
The Rising Stargirls Teaching Handbook is now available!
The Rising Stargirls Teaching and Activity Handbook is here! All of the activities used in Rising Stargirls workshops, plus educator resources and a suggested structure for workshops are provided in this manual. Download it for free and use it in your classrooms and informal learning environments anywhere in the world!
Founder of Rising Stargirls presents workshop findings at Astrobiology Science Conference
Rising Stargirls founder Dr. Aomawa Shields presented a talk "Reaching Middle School Girls From Groups Underrepresented in the Sciences With an Innovative Approach to Astronomy and Astrobiology Teaching" at the Astrobiology Science Conference in Chicago, IL, held June 15-19, 2015.
Part of the session "Astrobiology Research and Education at Minority Serving Institutions", Dr. Shields presented an overview of and lessons learned from the pilot workshop carried out with 10-15 girls at Irving STEAM Magnet Middle School in Eagle Rock, CA Feb 25-Mar 9, 2015. Among other findings, Shields presented results from evaluation and assessment strategies implemented before and after the workshop, in consultation with the Science Education Department at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.
Responses to anonymous evaluation forms revealed that by and large the girls specifically enjoyed the creative aspect to the astronomy/astrobiology workshop, and would want to do more of these kinds of activities in the future. Whereas none of the girls had heard of the term "Astrobiology" prior to the workshop, nor did they know what it meant, at the end of the workshop, when the girls were asked to record what came to mind when they heard the term, they mentioned Mars and the search for life, and the study of life on other planets. The girls were also asked to rate their level of agreement from 1 (strongly disagree) to 6 (strongly agree) on a serious of four statements, before and at the end of the workshop. The most striking difference in response was for the statement "I see myself as a science person." Before the workshop, only 20% of the girls answered with a 4 or greater. After the workshop, more than 60% selected a 4 or greater. These are encouraging results, and we look forward to comparing them to similar evaluations of future workshops.