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Outreach Programs & Events
The NRAO Education and Public Outreach Department is developing Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) programs for local and national outreach efforts. Our initiatives focus on designing and delivering engaging radio astronomy programs and products for the general public, K-12 students, and formal and informal educators. We are also developing innovative methods to explore the intersection ofart andscience.
NRAO proudly supports local and national education and student organizations by offering a variety of educational resources that can be tailored to specific topics and age groups. We can offer both virtual and in-person programming for a range of settings (classroom, afterschool, libraries, conferences, etc.).
To request one of these programs please fill out ourEducational & Public Outreach Request form.
For any other inquiries, please use theSTEAM Ed Contact Us form.
NRAO has opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students through our (Research Experiences for Undergraduates)(REU) program .
To explore careers at NRAO, check out ourRole Models video series or check out ouropen job listings.
Featured Programs
VLA Tours
We offer public and reserved group tours on-site at the Very Large Array.
Story Time
Story Time is a 30-45 minute interactive experience where a staff member reads a carefully selected book aloud to students, bringing the story to life through expressive narration. The reading session is designed to captivate students’ imaginations and introduce key themes or concepts in an engaging way.
Learning Labs
A Learning Lab is an immersive educational experience designed to deepen student understanding through a combination of engaging content and hands-on activities. The session begins with a brief introduction to the core topic, using visuals and interactive discussions to spark curiosity. Students then participate in guided, hands-on activities that directly apply the concepts they've just learned, allowing them to explore, experiment, and discover principles in real-time. The lab concludes with a reflective discussion, where students share their findings and connect the activity back to the key concepts, solidifying their understanding through collaborative learning.
- For Grades: K-12
- Group Size: Groups of 10 or more, unless otherwise noted
- Location: We visit you or you visit us!
- Duration: Approximately 60 minutes
African American Teaching Fellows STEAM ED Think Tank (AATF)
The mission of African American Teaching Fellows (AATF) is to recruit, support, develop, and retain a cadre of African American teachers to serve the schools in Charlottesville City and Albemarle County, Virginia, where the diversity of the instructional staff is significantly lower compared to the student population. NRAO and AATF began apartnership in 2018 to develop science-based, interdisciplinary-intended lessons created by teachers, for teachers, to bring radio astronomy into the classroom. Due to COVID-19, AATF fellows have been unable to test the resulting lessons in the classroom; however, we are optimistic that this will be possible by June 2023. In the meantime, we welcome any and all K-12 teachers who would be interested in using these activities with their students.
Radio Astronomy and Physics Day Camp in New Mexico (RAP-NM)
RAP-NM will endeavor to inspire and enrich rising 9th graders by providing a seven-day immersive science inquiry experience. Through simulated research experiences, inspirational talks from working scientists and mentors, small and whole group interactive investigations, and enrichment activities RAP-NM will provide the rising 9th grader with a look into the scientific world of research and discovery. (The camps is available only for NM residents.)
Astronomy in Chile Educator Ambassadors Program (ACEAP)
The ACEAP is an AUI-led National Science Foundation (NSF 1439408) funded program that brings experienced astronomy communicators to Chile for a two-week immersion course on the NSF-funded astronomical facilities thriving there. The ACEAP Ambassadors return to the U.S. and are required to share their experiences with diverse audiences via large-scale outreach programs and/or products.
Sister Cities and Observatories (SCO)
SCO is a collaboration with the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO), Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), and the schools surrounding the Very Large Array (VLA) in New Mexico and ALMA in San Pedro de Atacama in Chile. This program seeks to reinforce the school curriculum through STEAM activities and encourage cooperation between students and teachers in both countries. A commitment and involvement will be required by students and school teachers to travel, participate in shared research experiences and become ambassadors in their respective local schools.
SPIDER 300A Radio Telescope
Our STEAM Education Team uses the PrimaLuceLab, 3-meter, Spider 300A telescope in our local New Mexico programs for middle and high school students. The Spider 300A was installed in January 2018.
Steam Role Models
Click on a role model below to learn about their path to a career in radio astronomy.
