Education & Public Engagement
About Us
Science and technology shape how we understand our world, prepare for the future and build resilient communities. Meaningful participation in that future requires more than discovery alone — it requires education, engagement, a resilient STEM workforce and opportunity.
AUI was created in 1946 by a consortium of universities built on the idea that major scientific advances cannot happen in silos. For 80 years, AUI has helped drive scientific discovery, steward world-class research infrastructure, and contribute to a scientifically and technically literate society.
AUI Education and Public Engagement (EPE) extends this collaborative legacy through STEM learning and public engagement initiatives that help shape the future.
Our Mission
Our Values
At AUI EPE we value excellence, integrity, diversity, collaboration, democracy and lifelong learning.
Our Work
AUI Education and Public Engagement (EPE) is AUI’s partnership hub. We bring together educators, researchers, institutions, nonprofits, government agencies, foundations and community organizations to design and support impactful STEM initiatives.
Our research and grant proposal development process is interdisciplinary and grounded in the needs of the communities and partners we work alongside.
STEM Learning and Program Development
Creating STEM learning experiences, educational resources and professional development for classrooms, museums and community learning spaces.
Networks and Convenings
Building networks, workshops and partnerships that strengthen knowledge-sharing and collective impact across STEM communities globally.
Research and Evaluation
Supporting projects through research design, evaluation, impact assessment and evidence-building for STEM education, workforce development initiatives and community engagement.
Workforce Development and Emerging Technologies
Connecting learners and communities to STEM careers, emerging technologies and future workforce opportunities.
Fundraising and Proposal Development
Partnering on grant proposals, broader impacts initiatives and strategic STEM projects with agencies, foundations and institutions.
Community and Public Engagement
Connecting science and communities through storytelling, public engagement, informal learning and place-based experiences.
Meet the Team
AUI EPE brings together a diverse team of educators, researchers, evaluators, communicators, scientists and program leaders with experience spanning classrooms, museums, observatories, nonprofits, research institutions, media and community organizations. Our team works across disciplines and sectors to create programs and partnerships that connect people to science, technology and opportunity.
Tim Spuck, Ed.D.
Director of Education and Public Engagement
Focus Areas: Management, Fund Development, Astronomy and Space Science, Accessibility
Current Projects: ASTRO ACCEL, ACEAP, Cosmovisions of the Pacific, NA-ROAD, Pro-Am Research Collaboration in Astronomy
Tiffany Stone Wolbrecht
Deputy Director of Education and Public Engagement
Focus Areas: Network Development, Informal Learning, Astronomy Education, Professional Training
Current Projects: Mission Patagonia, ASTRO ACCEL, IUSE Robotic Telescopes
Yasmin Catricheo Villagran
Senior STEM Education Specialist
Focus Areas: Astronomy for Development, International Science Collaboration, Network Development and Facilitation
Current Projects: ACEAP, NA-ROAD, Cosmovisions of the Pacific, Mission Patagonia, ASTRO ACCEL
Anica Miller-Rushing, Ph.D., M.Ed.
STEM Education Research Associate
Focus Areas: Research, Evaluation, Teacher Education, Agency, Identity
Current Projects: ASTRO ACCEL, Women and Girls in Astronomy Program, OCEAN Kids: Nurdle Patrol
Sara Robberson Lentz
STEM Education Officer
Focus Areas: K-12, Podcasts, Storytelling, Program Leadership
Current Projects: STEM through Storytelling, OCEAN Kids: Nurdle Patrol
Amanda Barrera
Administrative Assistant
Partners and Funders
AUI EPE collaborates with universities, observatories, nonprofits, foundations, federal agencies, community organizations and industry partners across the United States and internationally.
Featured Initiatives
ACEAP: Astronomy in Chile Educator Ambassador Program
ACEAP brings amateur astronomers, planetarium personnel, and K-16 formal and informal astronomy educators to U.S. astronomy facilities in Chile. While at these facilities, ACEAP ambassadors receive extensive training about the instruments, the science, data products and communicating STEM concepts. When they return home, the ambassadors share their experiences and observatory resources with schools and community groups across the U.S. through a variety of outreach activities, reaching approximately 400,000 people annually. ACEAP is supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation and is a collaboration between Associated Universities Inc. (AUI), Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA), and the observatories they manage in Chile, including CTIO and Gemini, which are now part of the new NSF’s National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory (NSF’s NOIRLab), and the National Radio Astronomy Observatory and ALMA Observatory, and is supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF 1439408, NSF 1723697, and NSF 2034209).
Becoming an ACEAP Ambassador: As we move toward a long-term sustainable model to support ACEAP, and in an effort to broaden participation, each ACEAP 10-person cohort includes those supported by NSF grant funding, as well as individuals who are fully supported by their institution and/or personal funds. It is anticipated that five of the ACEAP ambassador positions will be supported by grant funding and the remaining five will be fully supported via institutional and/or personal funding. PLEASE NOTE: Regardless of the source of an ambassador’s support, requirements remain the same, and all ambassadors will receive the $500 stipend for completion of their seven required outreach activities.
ASTRO ACCEL
The night sky has captured our imagination and inspired humans across the globes since the dawn of our existence. Today, astronomy is seen by many as a gateway to inspiring interest and learning in students and the general public and has demonstrated its ability to engage people across cultures and political borders. The Global Network for Accelerating Synergies Through Research On Astronomy Culture, Communication, Education and Learning (ASTRO ACCEL) is a new initiative working to build an international network of networks (NoN) to accelerate research and research to practice in astronomy education, engagement/outreach, communications and culture. The 3-year, $1.6M project has initially engaged 13 networks across six continents to explore and develop tools and techniques and build the human infrastructure necessary for a vibrant and sustainable NoN. As the project evolves, we will engage additional research and practitioner network partner institutions and individuals. ASTRO ACCEL is funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation’s Office of International Science & Engineering (Award # 2301922).
Strategic Objectives: In the areas of astronomy education, engagement/outreach, culture and communication, ASTRO ACCEL will:
- Accelerate research.
- Grow relationships between and among researchers and practitioners.
- Build additional human capacity and infrastructure needed to support an international network of networks of individuals and institutions.
Astronomers Without Borders Partnership
Astronomers Without Borders (AWB) was an independent organization working to build a global community that appreciates, studies and shares the wonders of the universe to broaden perspective, transcend borders and improve lives. Due to funding challenges the AWB organization was dissolved. However, AWB programs are now operated under AUI-EPE, where we are working to support the mission of AWB and advance programs like Global Astronomy Month (GAM), AstroArts and the Eclipse Glasses Recycling Program that connect people worldwide.
Big Astronomy: People, Places, Discoveries
Big Astronomy informs learners of all ages about STEM careers at major observatories in Chile and incorporates extended learning beyond the planetarium show. The project aims to deepen STEM identity and to offer multiple entry points for engagement through in person, online and hands-on experiences. Astronomy looks very different than what many imagine—the white-haired man peering through a telescope. The Big Astronomy – People, Places, Discoveries planetarium show highlights the diverse team and jobs necessary to operate the world’s largest observatories. Audiences walk away seeing how their own passions, from tinkering to cooking, could contribute to astronomy’s big discoveries—and come realize that scientists look like them. In addition, the project leverages numerous synergistic channels to increase community engagement. The free bilingual (Spanish and English) planetarium show is available to planetariums, or via 360 streaming, or HD flat screen download. Live events with people who work in the observatories highlight their paths to astronomy, the details of their job and their other hobbies. Planetariums work with astronomy clubs and museums to support the message that astronomy is for everyone. Hands-on and virtual activities are used in public engagement settings, are available to download in both Spanish and English, and designed for both hemispheres.
IDATA: Innovators Developing Accessible Tools for Astronomy
Innovators Developing Accessible Tools for Astronomy (IDATA) is a project that works to advance knowledge of best practices in teaching and learning related to computation and computational thinking in astronomy. The project aims to understand how participation influences students’ attitudes and beliefs about who can engage in STEM and computing. The project brings together blind and visually impaired (BVI) and sighted high school and middle school students and their teachers to create a fully accessible astronomy data retrieval and analysis software tool. The IDATA team utilizes user-centered design processes and the iterative method for the development and testing of software and the modules—improving access to our amazing universe for those with BVI related disabilities. AUI partners with TERC – STEM Education Evaluation Center, Geneva Lakes Astrophysics and STEAM, Linder Research and Development Inc., University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, University of Nevada – Las Vegas, and others to make IDATA possible. IDATA is supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation.
Mission Patagonia
Mission Patagonia offers a unique experience to one of the most remote regions of the planet. Participants in the program will travel to the Melimoyu Elemental Reserve in northern Patagonia, Chile. The Reserve is a pristine natural laboratory, surrounded by volcanoes, ice, fjords, cetaceans, blue whales and other unique resources. While on the 10-day expedition, participants will investigate innovative approaches to effective conservation and climate change mitigation and share their experience with networks back home. In addition, several virtual meetings and trainings will be held prior to the expedition in Chile. Mission Patatgonia a collaboration between the MERI Foundation and Associated Universities Inc. (AUI).
NA-ROAD: North American Regional Office of Astronomy for Development
The Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD) is an initiative of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) using the power and excitement of astronomy to promote economic, societal and human development. “The mission of the OAD is to help further the use of astronomy, including its practitioners, skills and infrastructures, as a tool for development by mobilizing the human and financial resources necessary in order to realize the field’s scientific, technological and cultural benefits to society.”
The North American Regional Office of Astronomy for Development (NA-ROAD) is a collaboration of the International Astronomical Union, Adler Planetarium, Associated Universities Inc. (AUI) and Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA). For additional information, please contact the NA-ROAD at [email protected].
Radio Astronomy Observing Program
The Radio Astronomy Observing Program (RAOP) is a collaboration between the Astronomical League (AL), AUI and its facilities. There are many parts of the electromagnetic spectrum that our eyes are not able to observe, but with a different type of sensor we can observe in an entirely different realm, that of the radio spectrum. This program is designed to introduce and encourage the construction and operation of radio telescopes or other detectors. RAOP includes five types of observing that can be done with various types of radio equipment, which will introduce learners of all ages to a variety of Earth, space, physics, and engineering concepts, practices and processes.
STEM Attitude, Self-Efficacy, and Career-Intention Gains with Robotic Telescope-based Observing Experiences for Introductory Astronomy Students
Using scientific instruments to make discoveries and solve problems in STEM classrooms enables undergraduates to experience how professional scientists actually work. Such experiences increase students’ engagement, learning and excitement about science. In many disciplines, instructors have redesigned courses to embed authentic research experiences. The project is following up on previous work by conducting a large-scale case study that involves approximately 19,000 students at 35 institutions. This research will measure changes in students’ attitudes toward science, confidence in their abilities, conceptual understanding, and career intentions in both traditional and Skynet-based introductory astronomy courses. The research will include further development and assessment of student-outcome metrics that are specific to astronomy. To support this research, the investigators will also provide professional development to help approximately 40 astronomy instructors from the participating institutions learn how to incorporate Skynet-based activities into their courses and will update the curriculum and its supporting technologies.
For more information or to become one of the participating astronomy instructors, please email [email protected].
STEM Storytelling through Podcasts
Research has shown that students who are blind or have low vision (BLV) face many obstacles in pursuing educational pathways to STEM fields beginning in early education. This project engages BLV and sighted students in the use and development of podcasts to promote STEM learning and career awareness. The curriculum serves as a foundation for educators to integrate podcasts and podcast technology into the classroom in a way that is accessible for BVI students.
Tumble, in partnership with AUI, is producing a variety of podcast episodes featuring scientists who are blind or have low vision. Teachers will guide students in using these episodes as the basis for producing their own science podcasts—developing ideas, interviewing scientists, writing scripts and editing audio. The final materials will be freely available in a web portal, where students and teachers around the world can access it. Tumble’s episodes will also be freely available and will reach its estimated 200,000 listeners worldwide. Additionally, the episodes will be adapted into Spanish, and released on Tumble’s Spanish-language podcast feed.
This project is funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) program, which supports projects that build understandings of practices, program elements, contexts and processes contributing to increasing students’ knowledge and interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and information and communication technology (ICT) careers.
STEM Education Incubator
Individuals and smaller organizations often have great ideas but can lack the experience to develop competitive funding proposals, or the expertise on staff to deal with complicated financial rules associated with managing large awards. The STEM Education Incubator (SEI) brings together AUI’s expertise in education, fund development and fiscal management to create an “umbrella” initiative under which individuals, organizations and teams can successfully develop and manage innovative projects in the STEM landscape. Do you have a great idea to improve STEM education but lack fund development experience or resources to manage a large award? SEI may be what you’re looking for!
For more information, please email [email protected].
Let’s Build the Future Together
We believe impactful STEM education and engagement requires collaboration across communities, institutions, disciplines, and generations.
Whether you are an educator, researcher, nonprofit leader, funder, or community partner, we welcome opportunities to collaborate on initiatives that expand opportunity, strengthen connections to STEM, and support a more resilient future.