We present the activity of the National Center of Excellence in Astronomy and Astrophysics (CNEX) in 2026, a Romanian near-peer-mentored online program addressing the limited availability of specialized astronomy education for pre-university students. From January to April 2026, CNEX delivered 32 Olympiad-oriented modules for students in grades 5–12, divided into junior and senior groups, with an average attendance of approximately 42 participants per session. The program was led by 8 volunteer mentors, all former international astronomy and astrophysics competitors. Using mid- and post-course feedback, we evaluate student engagement, perceived clarity, and mentor impact, and reflect on CNEX as a scalable model for advanced STEM preparation.

Biography:

Daria-Teodora Hărăbor received a B.A. in Physics and Mathematics and an M.A. in Physics from Harvard University in May 2026. She is currently a research fellow in Professor Mikhail Lukin's laboratory at Harvard, where she conducts research in quantum computing. She is also a mentor and organizer with the National Center of Excellence in Astronomy and Astrophysics (CNEX), where she teaches Olympiad-oriented astronomy courses for Romanian students. She has over three years of experience as a teaching assistant for physics and astronomy courses at Harvard. Her interests include astronomy education, outreach, and expanding access to advanced STEM learning through near-peer mentoring.