inclusion – Astronomy for Equity

Three telescopes are lined up on a grassy field in front of a row of small tents at a space camp for students.

A4E Telescopes Arrive in Libya!

Telescopes purchased through an Astronomy for Equity crowdfunding campaign for middle school astronomy clubs have arrived after the long sea

Eleven female and three male members of the Astronomical Clubs in Libya pose for a picture outdoors by trees and plants. The females are wearing head coverings.

Telescopes on the Way to Libyan Astronomy Students

We’ve been quiet lately but there’s a lot of activity behind the scenes, with a lot to come soon. In

Giving Thanks

Astronomer Mike Simmons: “There is one thing I know of that we can all be grateful for together – the sky.”

Seventeen dark-skinned adults smile for a photo at a dirt camp with tents, signs, and some grass. There are three telescopes.

Astronomy This Giving Season

This giving season we are preparing to launch new projects to bring science to underserved communities through astronomy…

A Letter of Gratitude

This giving season, we are grateful that our crowdfunding campaign succeeded. We are grateful that we have a mission to help others, and we are grateful for your generous donations.

Astronomy Isn’t Just for Astronomers

“Astronomy is not meant just for astronomers. It is meant for the rest of us. It is meant for “we the people” wherever people are.” -David Levy

Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way

Abbas would visit universities and drop in on physics professors unannounced to ask questions about theoretical physics and book recommendations. But it was a more unusual resource that led him into physics experimentation – scrap yards.

We did it! Thank you!!

There are incredible, passionate people everywhere who devote their lives to helping students reach their potential, even in the most difficult of circumstances.

The Astronomy for Equity Mission

In marginalized and isolated communities, astronomy can be the first step on a journey of exploration. First experiences that can change the directions of young lives.

Daily Space: Bringing Telescopes to Students in Libya

This month Astronomy for Equity founder Mike Simmons was interviewed by The Daily Space on CosmoQuest about A4E’s current crowdfunding campaign to send telescopes to Libyan astronomy students!

A female student in Libya smiles while raising her hand in a classroom of Libyan girls studying astronomy.

Astronomy Gives Students Hope

In times of conflict and confusion, many people feel lost – especially children. They lose sight of what they are working towards and instead focus on fear and uncertainty. Having something to dream about can bring intrigue and joy to suffering humans. Especially if that thing is astronomy.

Twenty-three Libyan women and girls with head coverings and a Libyan man in a suit pose for a photo. Behind them is a backdrop with a nebula and galaxies.

Personal Stories from Libyan Students Reveal Dreams for Space Education

” It was a remarkable experience for me to be able to meet an astronaut for the first time, even if it was a Zoom meeting, but it felt like one of my dreams had come true…”

Inspiration Strikes When You Least Expect It

Learning you’ve inspired others can be a great surprise, and delight. Public outreach practitioners or organizers rarely get to hear stories of their successes. Their work is largely a leap of faith…

Please Help Students in Libya Learn Astronomy

Please help Astronomy for Equity introduce STEM to marginalized communities. Astronomy’s natural laboratory is overhead and accessible to everyone. Curiosity and talent are limitless. You can provide the spark. Donate today!

Space and STEM Camps for IDP in Nigeria

Astronomy for Equity partners with groups across the world to build STEM in underserved communities. Here is a recent report from Nigeria, where volunteers are spreading astronomy in African refugee camps…

Astronomy for Equity. Former NASA Astronaut Nicole Stott is smiling and wearing a blue jumpsuit that has many patches on it including the American flag and NASA patches. She is standing in front of a blue-green background.

NASA Astronaut Nicole Stott and Astronomy Clubs in Africa (Libya)

Former NASA Astronaut Nicole Stott explains that the only border that matters is the bright blue border of Earth’s atmosphere…

Astronomy for Equity. A tactile globe allows students who are blind and visually impaired to feel the universe.

Astronomy for Persons with Blindness and Vision Impairment

Even though there are many resources for persons with blindness and vision impairment (B/VI), many people don’t know that help is available.

African Communities’ Starry Struggle

In developing countries, volunteer education programs quickly reach the limit of what local organizers can accomplish. Astronomy for Equity mitigates this problem.

Astronomy for Equity and New STEM Programs

Astronomy resources and expertise often exist but are not set up to reach everyone. Because scarcity is less of a problem than poor distribution, A4E helps local leaders implement resources in marginalized communities.

Astronomy for the World

The potential of passionate astronomy enthusiasts worldwide has been shown through years of programs. That passion is what transforms a program into a movement. Astronomy for Equity is that movement.

A tall, medium, and small person watch a baseball game from behind a fence while standing on wooden crates. The small person is not tall enough to see over the fence so the tall person gives the small person his crate. Now everyone can see over the fence and enjoy the baseball game. Equality was when all three people had a crate. Equity was when the small person received an extra crate to reach the same height as the tall person.

Astronomy Helps Marginalized Communities Grow in Infrastructure

As students exposed to STEM through astronomy enter into STEM careers, their country’s satellite capabilities improve, leading to improved food production, health care, transportation, communications, and economic growth.