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Outreach Programs

Lamat

  • The Lamat REU program aims to increase retention, graduation rates, and PhD admission for students enrolled in two-year or four-year colleges. Key components of the LAMAT Institute include intensive research instruction through summer internships, a winter computational boot camp, academic counseling and mentoring, and astronomy science workshops.
  • The deadline for applications is normally in December.
  • If you are interested in being a mentor for the summer REU program, please contact Deana Tanguay (dtanguay@ucsc.edu). 
  • For more information, please visit this website.

 

Science Internship Program (SIP)

  • The Science Internship Program (SIP) offers high school students the opportunity to spend their summer working on authentic open-ended research projects in science, engineering, social sciences, humanities, and art under the mentorship of UCSC researchers. The lead mentor for the science-based research projects is Professor Raja Guhathakurta. Interns will work with faculty, post-doc, and graduate student mentors on a range of topics with the goal of presenting their work at an internal symposium at the end of the internship.
  • Intern applications open in February while mentor applications open in January.
  • If you are interested in applying as an intern, visit this page.
  • If you are interested in being a mentor please visit this page.

 

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.

 

Osterbrock Leadership Program (OLP) 

  • This program aims to provide leadership opportunities to graduate students at the University of California - Santa Cruz. The Osterbrock Leadership Program (OLP) provides unique training opportunities to the UCSC Astronomy graduate community through a variety of educational activities, mentorships, and leadership experiences conceived and executed by the students themselves.
  • Current graduate students who are interested should reach out to Sandy Faber at faber@ucolick.org. For more information please visit this page. 

 

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.