Education and Outreach

Project for Inmate Education (PIE)

• The Project for Inmate Education (PIE) provides educational opportunities to incarcerated individuals at the Santa Cruz County Main Jail. Led by UCSC graduate students, postdocs, and faculty, the program offers math and astronomy-related courses, including introductory astronomy, pre-algebra, and college-level algebra. Students have the opportunity to earn college credit at no cost to them, expanding their access to higher education. PIE aims to empower students with new skills and knowledge for further personal and educational development beyond incarceration.
• If you are interested in being a lecturer or grader, please contact the co-directors, Mikayla Wilson (mijawils@ucsc.edu) or Deewang Bhamidipati (dbhamidi@ucsc.edu) as of Fall 2024.

Shadow the Scientists (StS)

• Shadow the Scientist (StS) is a multidisciplinary program that allows high school students across the world to virtually follow a scientist for a day to see what day-to-day life is like. For students shadowing astronomers, they will have the experience of viewing the operations of world-class observatories by following an astronomer’s night as they collect data. StS focuses on serving BIPOC students and making observing more accessible for students who live far from observatories and dark skies. The program pulls back the curtain on the hands-on aspects of astronomy for students who are curious about a career in the field and provides an entryway for early experience in astronomical research.
• If you are interested in showcasing your observation night, please visit this page. 
• If you are interested in shadowing an upcoming session, visit this website.

Lick Observatory and UCO

•  La Noche de las Estrellas
  • This is an annual outreach opportunity hosted at Lick Observatory for local high school students in Spanish-speaking high schools. This event allows students and parents from the surrounding area a chance to learn and explore the night sky in a language they may be more comfortable using. Undergraduate and Graduate students provide essential support by volunteering to guide participants through the wonders of astronomy.
  • For more information please visit their website.
• ASTRAL
  • Astronomy/STEM Alliance with Lick Observatory (ASTRAL) is a consortium dedicated to broadening access and creating opportunities for college students and faculty across different institutions to work with Lick Observatories. With a multitude of activities ranging from professional development to field trips, the consortium provides resources to propel the careers of future astronomers.
  • Please visit this page for more information.
• Summer Series
  • This is a program run by Lick Observatories where they host lectures at the observatory. Topics such as “Musics of the Sphere” and “Evening with the Stars” are recurring events that draw much interest and intrigue. 
  • For more information, visit this page.

Seed Spoon Science

Seed Spoon Science is a local community facing outreach program that uses nature based learning to inspire the next generation of STEM students.

Python and Research (PyaR)

Python and Research (PyaR): PyaR is a free online Python programming tutorial that is derived from the data analysis software tools used in an 2015 scientific astronomy journal article led by Claire Dorman who is a former PhD student of Raja GuhaThakurta at the University of California Santa Cruz.

Center for Talented Youth

CTY is a diverse, welcoming community dedicated to our core mission of advancing the field of gifted education through our research on testing, programs, and other resources and support for academically advanced young students and their families. We aim to understand and inform how exceptional students from every community and demographic are best supported and nurtured to achieve their full potential as scholars and global citizens.

The California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science (COSMOS)

COSMOS is a 4-week, residential summer program for high school scholars with demonstrated interest and achievement in math and science. COSMOS provides students with an unparalleled opportunity to work side-by-side with outstanding researchers and UC Santa Cruz faculty, covering topics that extend beyond the typical high school curriculum.