Shaw-IAU Workshops by the OAE

We are developing culturally responsive curricular materials based on Zooniverse projects for general-education college courses. The Zooniverse is the largest online citizen science platform; since launching in 2007, it has supported over 200 projects and connected researchers with over 2 million volunteers worldwide. Our curricular materials improve the teaching and learning of astronomy by guiding students to contribute to ongoing research projects and by empowering students to connect content with their own lived experiences. Students will also practice critical reflection skills and engage in scaffolded dialog about equity and inclusion in astronomy and space exploration. These materials will undergo extensive pilot testing beginning in Fall 2021 before being made publicly available.

Biography:

Christine O’Donnell (she/her) is a Postdoctoral Researcher at Arizona State University (ASU) with a passion for learning how the Universe works and sharing that knowledge with others. She completed her Ph.D. in Astronomy at the University of Arizona, and her dissertation was a combination of (1) research into galaxy formation leveraging the power of both observations and simulations and (2) research into developing a framework for inclusivity-driven education in a general-education astronomy course. At ASU, she develops and assesses culturally relevant curricular materials that empower learners to connect science with their personal/sociocultural identities and thus guides them to become social justice change agents.

Watch a video for this poster (external link)