Based at the University of California, Santa Cruz, the Shadow the Scientists (StS) initiative aims to offer immersive virtual learning experiences for students of all ages that spark their interest in STEAM careers and strengthen their foundational skills and knowledge necessary for success in those professions.
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.
Introduction to Project PANOPTES:
Science & Outreach
May 1st | 12 AM HST | Noon South Africa Standard Time
Dedicated Session for the PANOPTES Community
Discover how Project PANOPTES is transforming the future of STEM education and youth empowerment! This innovative, long-term outreach initiative is designed to meaningfully engage students by providing them with a strong foundation in science, technology, engineering, and math.
More than just education, PANOPTES is a platform for youth leadership that encourages students to take initiative, explore their passions, and grow in confidence as young scientists. With real research opportunities at its core, the project offers students a compelling reason to stay and thrive in science, directly addressing brain drain and inspiring local impact.
Culturally adaptable and easily integrated into local educational and community contexts, Project PANOPTES is built to resonate locally while driving global relevance. By opening pathways to STEM careers, it’s not only investing in future innovators but also contributing to the development of a thriving, STEM-driven economy.
Compilation of multiple images showing an asteroid detection using Las Cumbres Observatory.
Credit: LCO / J.D. Armstrong
An Introduction to Submitting an Observing Request at Las Cumbres Observatory
May 9th | 3 PM HST
Dedicated Session for Dole Middle School Students
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 discuss observing with Las Cumbres Observatory. The students will be able to choose a target and engage with J.D. as he prepares and submits the observation request.
Using the Keck Telescope to Weigh Ultra-Diffuse Galaxies in the Virgo Cluster
May 18th | 9 PM HST
May 19th | 12 AM Pacific | 7 AM UT
Elisa Toloba (University of the Pacific), Raja GuhaThakurta (University of California Santa Cruz), and Eric Peng (NOIRLab), members of the Next Generation Virgo Cluster Survey team, will use the Keck II 10-meter telescope and KCWI/KCRM integral field unit to study the properties of an enigmatic class of galaxies known as ultra-diffuse galaxies (UDGs) in the Virgo cluster of galaxies, located about 50 million light years away.
The defining feature of UDGs is that their stars are far more thinly spread out in space than the stars in galaxies like our own Milky Way. The aim of our Keck KCWI/KCRM experiment is to measure the typical speed at which stars are moving around inside these UDGs and thereby infer their dark matter content.
Using the Keck Telescope to Weigh Ultra-Diffuse Galaxies in the Virgo Cluster
May 19th | 8:30 PM HST | 11:30 PM Pacific
May 20th | 6:30 AM UT
Elisa Toloba (University of the Pacific), Raja GuhaThakurta (University of California Santa Cruz), and Eric Peng (NOIRLab), members of the Next Generation Virgo Cluster Survey team, will use the Keck II 10-meter telescope and KCWI/KCRM integral field unit to study the properties of an enigmatic class of galaxies known as ultra-diffuse galaxies (UDGs) in the Virgo cluster of galaxies, located about 50 million light years away.
The defining feature of UDGs is that their stars are far more thinly spread out in space than the stars in galaxies like our own Milky Way. The aim of our Keck KCWI/KCRM experiment is to measure the typical speed at which stars are moving around inside these UDGs and thereby infer their dark matter content.
Using the Keck Telescope to Weigh Ultra-Diffuse Galaxies in the Virgo Cluster
May 20th | 8 PM HST | 11 PM Pacific
May 21st | 6 AM UT
Elisa Toloba (University of the Pacific), Raja GuhaThakurta (University of California Santa Cruz), and Eric Peng (NOIRLab), members of the Next Generation Virgo Cluster Survey team, will use the Keck II 10-meter telescope and KCWI/KCRM integral field unit to study the properties of an enigmatic class of galaxies known as ultra-diffuse galaxies (UDGs) in the Virgo cluster of galaxies, located about 50 million light years away.
The defining feature of UDGs is that their stars are far more thinly spread out in space than the stars in galaxies like our own Milky Way. The aim of our Keck KCWI/KCRM experiment is to measure the typical speed at which stars are moving around inside these UDGs and thereby infer their dark matter content.
Using the Keck Telescope to Weigh Ultra-Diffuse Galaxies in the Virgo Cluster
May 21st | 9 PM HST
May 22nd | 12 AM Pacific | 7 AM UT
Elisa Toloba (University of the Pacific), Raja GuhaThakurta (University of California Santa Cruz), and Eric Peng (NOIRLab), members of the Next Generation Virgo Cluster Survey team, will use the Keck II 10-meter telescope and KCWI/KCRM integral field unit to study the properties of an enigmatic class of galaxies known as ultra-diffuse galaxies (UDGs) in the Virgo cluster of galaxies, located about 50 million light years away.
The defining feature of UDGs is that their stars are far more thinly spread out in space than the stars in galaxies like our own Milky Way. The aim of our Keck KCWI/KCRM experiment is to measure the typical speed at which stars are moving around inside these UDGs and thereby infer their dark matter content.
Credit: International Gemini Observatory/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/J. Chu/J. Pollard
Exploring the Universe with the Gemini North Telescope
May 25th | 8 PM HST | 11 PM Pacific
May 26th | 6 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.
Gemini Observatory utilizes queue observing mode in which Gemini staff take observations on behalf of science teams from all over the world. 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 second generation of the Immersion GRating INfrared Spectrograph (IGRINS-2), and the MAROON-X instrument, which was 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.
Come along for this cosmic adventure as we explore the universe and share its wonders!
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!