Our MissionWe use the proven ability of astronomy to foster inclusive programs that inspire, educate, and provide hope for unserved communities, wherever or whoever they are. What we do Our programs have oversized impact because:
| Below: Children in a refugee camp for internally displaced people in Northern Nigeria enjoy a STEM learning lab based on astronomy built inside a shipping container.
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How you can help
With Astronomy for Equity, a little goes a long way. Your donation can help spark an interest in STEM education in Nigeria that will last a lifetime. Or support students during wartime in Ukraine. Or inspire girls in Pakistan to follow their dreams. Ask any outreach astronomers in developed countries what impact they've had on others. Then imagine the impact where there is so little, where outreach astronomers don't have telescopes or students see no path to their dreams.
Some of our current programs...
Global Sunlight STEM Education ProjectAstronomy for Equity has gathered over one million new, unused, safe solar glasses leftover from the April 2024 eclipse for a groundbreaking new educational program. Multiple lessons, based on existing resources, on the Sun and sunlight will be provided for teachers and public outreach astronomers regardless of their science background. Many more countries are ready. Additional resources for studying sunlight through its spectrum are planned. Please help us reach more classrooms in unserved communities. Right: Students in Uganda see the Sun for the first time. |  | Update: 132,500 glasses have already been shipped to organizations in 12 countries including Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Senegal, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Mozambique, Nepal, Pakistan, Bhutan, Puerto Rico, and Mexico thanks to our partner in this project, the IAU Office of Astronomy Education! Right: Students at a girls school in Mozambique observing the Sun with solar glasses provided to the country's first astronomical society by Astronomy for Equity. |  |
Below left: Astronomy for Equity founder Mike Simmons at the school in Vinnytsia during the team's visit to Ukraine in November 2024. | Sharing ResourcesAstronomy for Equity supports schools and public outreach programs in developing countries and countries in crisis. Middle school astronomy clubs in Libya where children have grown up with war, ISIS, and political instability. Astronomy students in Ukraine living through war and uncertainty about their futures. Next, the first astronomical society in Mozambique started by university astronomy students doing outreach in schools. Resources that seem ordinary to us have a huge impact in places where they aren't readily available. Please help us support more classrooms in unserved communities. Left: Students in Vinnytsia, Ukraine with the new telescope they received from Astronomy for Equity in 2023.
Update: Below right: An astronomy student in Kalush, Ukraine takes a first look through their new telescope as Astronomy for Equity's Cassondra Holmes looks on. | 
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Update: An Astronomy for Equity team visited
this school and others during a November trip to six cities in
Ukraine. Three more schools with astronomy classes received
telescopes thanks to our partners The Sky Is For EveryoneWe all share the same sky and everyone should be able to explore the cosmos. The Community Hub created by Astronomy for Equity will bring together resources, experts, and outreach astronomers from around the world who will learn how to include blind and low vision (BLV) people in their programs. Existing resources, expertise, and programs that will impact thousands of BLV people around the world. Nothing new needed except an idea and a little management. Please help us share the sky with more people. Right: Blind students in Argentina explore the Moon. Update: The Community Hub for Astronomy for Blind and Low Vision is ready to be relaunched on a new platform and opened to astronomy outreach groups worldwide! |  |
 | Big Impact Astronomy Video PodcastOur podcast tells the stories of people around the world using astronomy to improve lives. They introduce science to students and the public. They inspire the next generation of scientists. They bring relief under the stars to citizens of countries in crise. Big Impact Astronomy answers the question, "Why astronomy?", showing that this universal science can make a difference in ways no other can. Please help us tell the stories of these astronomy heroes. Left: Yumna Majeed inspires girls in Pakistan to follow their dreams of being scientists. Learn more about Yumna in this podcast episode. Update: Big Impact Astronomy is live, with episodes posted about Ethiopia, Pakistan, Nepal, Ukraine, and a special interview with the Bad Astronomer, Phil Plait! |
What Your Donation Allows Us To Do
We're sharing existing resources with volunteers around the world so what do we need funding for?
- Coordinators to run the programs and communicate with others around the world.
- Website development for maintenance and new features.
- Social media management.
- Shipping for resources that aren't shared online (eclipse glasses, tactile resources, etc.).
Your donation has an outsized impact with these unique programs.
Please donate if you can and share with others!
Contact
Write to us at info@astro4equity.org.
Astronomy for Equity is an initiative of Blue Marble Space, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation.
