AstroReach LA ran in Spring 2022 at USC Hybrid High School in partnership with CreateNow, an arts education outreach organization, and supported by Carnegie Observatories through a diversity, equity, and inclusion grant. This program taught students about the mysteries of dark matter and provided scientific programming skills.
Hands-On Learning: Students explored astrophysics and cosmology through Python-based tutorials and exercises. All course materials are available online.
The Art of Science: Inspired by CreateNow's artistic mission, the curriculum emphasized data visualization, teaching students to transform astrophysical data into images that tell a compelling story. This culminated in customized laser prints for every student (see below!).
Carnegie Connection: Participants visited Carnegie Observatories to learn its rich astronomical history, meet researchers, and become familiar with scientific career paths.
AstroReach LA provided students in an underserved area of Los Angeles with the tools and mentorship to excel in STEM fields. The program highlighted the importance of inclusive educational experiences that open doors for underrepresented groups in science. A member of the AstroReach LA cohort, Derek Rodriguez, participated in dark matter research using cosmological simulations as a high school senior and went on to pursue a B.S. in Electrical Engineering at UCLA.