Throughout my studies, I have has been fortunate and grateful to have found caring, encouraging, and demanding mentors, who have pushed me to try to become a better scientist and more thoughtful person. I am always looking for new ways to pass along this mentorship and my passion for science, especially to younger students. As a scientist, there are so many opportunities for community engagement, and numerous organizations dedicated to fostering youth engagement in STEM. Below is a sample of organizations and events with which I am currently involved, or have participated in the past.
Student Mentoring with iPraxis:
- Developed after-school “reverse-engineering” program for elementary and middle school students. Met once a week to disassemble toys, clocks, and household items, understand their workings, and rebuild them into new creations.
- Mentored groups of students throughout the semester to develop their science fair projects.
- Received 2015 Mentor of the Year award
Public EPO Events with Penn Physics & Astronomy Department Outreach:
- Philadelphia Science Festival
- Science After Hours at the Franklin Institute
- Gave public lecture on NASA technology in everyday life at the Night Skies at the Franklin Institute program
Pop-Up Astronomy:
- Set up simple telescopes around Philadelphia as part of #popscope during clear evenings
- Set up portable telescope in Nashville during 2017 total solar eclipse for public viewing
Social Media:
- Manage the BLAST-TNG twitter, Instagram, and facebook pages
Media Appearances:
Nathan P. Lourie 