I am the Program Coordinator for Wyoming Stargazing in Jackson, Wyoming. Our mission is to educate and inspire through Wyoming’s extraordinary skies. We offer a variety of astronomy programs including public and private stargazing and solar astronomy events, planetarium shows, telescope rentals, and other indoor astronomy programs. We hope to build an observatory and planetarium in Jackson Hole in the near future.
I have a deep passion for learning more about the universe and helping others become curious about the wonders of the cosmos. My inquisitive and adventurous nature drives my love for designing and implementing astronomy activities for people of all ages and backgrounds. And I have a special place in my heart for helping young girls become interested in STEM.
Previously, I was the Public Outreach Coordinator for the Indiana University Astronomy Department. In addition to doing public outreach, I conducted research with Dr. Katherine Rhode and studied gas-rich “Almost-Dark” galaxies from the ALFALFA neutral hydrogen survey. My goal was to detect and characterize the optical emission of these sources in order to understand and characterize the optical emission of these sources in order to understand their properties and evolutionary states. This involved carrying out a campaign to obtain and analyze deep, wide-field optical imaging of Almost-Dark galaxies with the WIYN telescope and the One Degree Imager.
My past research at Calvin College focused on mapping asteroid collisions in the Koronis Zone of the asteroid belt with Dr. Larry Molnar. While at Calvin, I also participated in an off-campus study program called Astronomy in the Southwest.
In the summer of 2014, I worked on the Mars rover, Curiosity. I specifically worked on Curiosity’s ChemCam instrument with Dr. Roger Wiens at Los Alamos National Laboratory.
In my free time I enjoy rock climbing, waterskiing, reading science fiction, and doing pretty much anything outdoors.
“The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity.”
- Dorothy Parker
MA in Astronomy, 2017
Indiana University
BS in Physics, 2014
Calvin College
Instructor of Record for A100: The Solar System
Indiana University, June-July 2016
During the summer of 2016, I was the instructor of record for A100: The Solar System at Indiana University. I was solely responsible for the entire course and designed a cirriculumn based on in-class, hands-on activities.
The first half of the course provided a general introduction to astronomy and covered topics such as the celestial sphere, the history of astronomy, moon phases, seasons, and motions in the solar system. The second half of the course gave an introduction to the solar system and covered the planets, dwarf planets and other minor solar system bodies, exoplanets, and space missions.
Associate Instructor
Indiana University, August 2014 - May 2016
Duties included holding office hours and review sessions, guest lecturing, grading assignments, and leading extra-credit rooftop observing sessions and solar labs.
Courses:
- A100: The Solar System
- A103: The Search for Life in the Universe
- A105: Stars and Galaxies
- A452: Extragalactic Astrophysics
I am highly committed to engaging with the public regarding my passion for the wonders of space. I love being involed in public outreach activities both formally through my current institution and in more informal settings. I am happy to do anything from giving casual stargazing lessons to giving talks about my astronomical research or my experience as a scientist in general.
Outreach Coordinator
Previously, I was the outreach coordinator for the IU astronomy department. For this position, I was involved in many activities such as hosting and organizing public observing sessions with IU’s Kirkwood Observatory, leading observatory tours, speaking with local groups about astronomy, and partnering with local events such as Science Olympiad and the IU Science Fest. Examples of outreach activities:
More information about astronomy outreach at IU can be found here. Please contact the IU astronomy department if you would like to have them involved in your event or if you have further questions about outreach at IU.
Guest Lecturer
I frequently visit schools to talk to students of all ages about my experiences in astronomy. My talks typically cover topics such as the scale of the universe, the Curiosity Rover on Mars, dwarf and almost-dark galaxies, and variable stars.
Observatory Open Houses
At Indiana University, I hosted public observing nights at the historic Kirkwood Observatory. The observatory was built in 1900 and hosts a 12-inch refractor. More information about the Kirkwood Observatory can be found here.
While at Calvin College, I hosted public and student observing nights. Calvin’s observatory contains a 16-inch computerized research telescope. More information about Calvin’s observatory can be found here.
Indiana University Science Fest
Every fall, Indiana University hosts Science Fest. This event is open to the public and gives participants hands-on experiences in various science fields. I volunteer with the IU astronomy department to lead astronomy activites such as creating comets, using an infrared camera, and making scale models of the Solar System.