On Monday, January 19, students in grades 5-9 had the unique opportunity to step into the world of professional astronomy through Youth AstroNet, an immersive program in partnership with Harvard University and the Smithsonian Institute that allows teens to use the same telescopes and imaging tools employed by professional astronomers.
Throughout the day, students engaged with the software and technology used to observe and interpret astronomical data. At several points, the room fell so silent from concentration that, as staff noted, “you could hear a pin drop.”
To keep the experience dynamic and interactive, Youth Services staff incorporated hands‑on activities. Teens utilized a curated selection of astronomy books as references while building their own models of the universe. These tactile components helped students visualize cosmic structures and connect scientific concepts to real-world applications.
In addition to exploring astronomy and astrophysics, students learned about the diverse range of careers that support scientific discovery. Discussions highlighted essential roles such as information technology specialists, public relations professionals, and media experts.
A key highlight of the program was the Capstone project. Using telescope images, students learned how to decode and clean raw astronomical data, apply both realistic and creative color filters, and blend multiple images into a final composition. Their completed works were printed and displayed on a mobile corkboard gallery, showcasing their new skills and artistic interpretations of the cosmos.