Based at the University of California, Santa Cruz, the Shadow the Scientists (StS) initiative aims to offer immersive virtual learning experiences that spark students’ interest in STEAM careers and strengthen their foundational STEAM skills and knowledge. We also host sessions open to the public to foster community awareness and appreciation for the vital research happening across STEAM fields.
Our sessions allow participants to engage with university and industry professionals while exploring how STEAM topics relate to real-world issues and community challenges.
Check out our YouTube channel to explore previous sessions.
Microscopy image of germ cells in fruit flies
Imaging Drosophila Larval Ovaries
March 14th | 3 PM HST
Dedicated Session for Dole Middle School Students
During the development of an organism, the proliferation of cells is tightly regulated to ensure each developing organ has the correct number and proportion of different cell types. The researcher uses the developing Drosophila ovary as a model to understand the mechanisms that somatic cells use to coordinate the proliferation of germ cells in the organ.
The first step is to dissect ovaries from flies that are mutants for certain genes of interest. Next, confocal imaging and analysis programs are used to count the number of germ cells in the ovary. This protocol enables the assessment of how the targeted genes regulate germ cell proliferation and, in turn, ovarian development.
Credit: International Gemini Observatory/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/J. Pollard
Exploring the Universe with the Gemini North Telescope
March 19th | 7 PM HST | 10 PM Pacific
March 20th | 5 AM UT
The observing team will be using the Gemini North telescope located near the summit of Maunakea on the island of Hawai`i, with the observations taking place remotely from the control room in the Hilo Base Facility.
As opposed to “classical” observing nights that have been featured in many previous StS sessions, Gemini Observatory utilizes queue observing mode in which Gemini staff take observations on behalf of science teams from all over the world. On any given night, Gemini staff determine the conditions on the ground and in the sky and the scientific priorities and choose from a pool of scientific programs to observe. This means anything could be observed on any night!
The instruments available to the science team during this session include the Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph (GMOS), the Gemini Near InfraRed Spectrograph (GNIRS), and MAROON-X, which is an instrument built by a team at the University of Chicago that is capable of detecting Earth-like planets in the habitable zone of low mass nearby stars. Observations in the infrared can be assisted by our ALTtitude conjugate Adaptive optics for the InfraRed (ALTAIR) adaptive optics system, which reduces the blur due to turbulence in the atmosphere.
Come along for this cosmic adventure as we explore the universe and share its wonders!
MegaCam Eyes Wide Open on the Sky at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope
March 24th | 7:30 PM HST
March 25th | 11 AM IST
Dedicated Session for Vidyadhan Scholars
CFHT is a 3.6-meter telescope located at the summit of Maunakea, dedicated to astronomical observations using five instruments across the optical and near-infrared spectrum. Our most widely used instrument is MegaCam, a wide-field optical imager capable of capturing a one square-degree section of the sky. With it, we collect light from a diverse range of celestial objects, including asteroids, planets, nebulae, and distant galaxies.
Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at how we prepare for a night of observing the cosmos from our remote control room located at our headquarters in Waimea. You will discover how our Remote Observers (ROs) operate in real-time with MegaCam—weather permitting—to capture stunning data from the summit. Our ROs manage everything from monitoring weather and ensuring observatory safety to pointing the telescope for scientific observations and compiling a nightly report.
Come learn how we explore the universe with MegaCam at CFHT!
Credit: LCO / J.D. Armstrong
An Introduction to Observing at Las Cumbres Observatory with J. D. Armstrong
March 28th | 8:30 PM HST
March 29th | 9:30 AM EST
Dedicated Session for the Ethiopian Space Science Society
Astronomer J.D. Armstrong is a Project Scientist at the Faulkes Telescope North and the Maui Technology Education and Outreach Specialist.
In this session, he will give an introduction to observing with Las Cumbres Observatory, focusing on the process of preparing for and submitting an observing request and demonstrating basic data reduction techniques.
StS terms and conditions of engagement:
Please read the following as it gives some insight into how the evening will be structured.
- Please treat others on the Zoom call with utmost respect at all times. There is a zero tolerance policy for violations. Violators will be removed from the Zoom call and future StS sessions.
- Please keep in mind at all times that the primary purpose of the StS session is for the research team (e.g., team of astronomers) to collect scientific data. Please be respectful of their time and concentration.
- For the adults joining us, please try to have your Zoom name reflect your full name and school/group affiliation [e.g., Raja GuhaThakurta (UCSC)]. For minors, because this event is open to the public, please feel free to use nicknames unless you have permission from parents or guardians to use your full name.
- After joining the Zoom session, you will be muted, but please feel free to type a short introduction about yourself into the chat.
- Until the scientists have some down time and can directly interface with the rest of the group on the Zoom call, please feel free to type questions and comments in the chat. Once the scientists are speaking with the group, please use the “raise hand” feature in Zoom, if youʻd like to speak.
- Please be aware that the StS Zoom call will be recorded, including the chat window, and both may be posted to YouTube in whole or in part for others to view. By joining the Zoom call, you are consenting to being recorded and for the recording to be posted.
- Please be cognizant of your video feed. Because the focus is on the science being done, please feel free to keep your video off during the Zoom call..
- Enjoy!