I get a common question all the time: “Why are you doing this?” That is a fair question, and I think it is a compelling question that requires a bit of reflection on my part. I recently wrote a paper basically addressing this very subject, and I thought I would share it here. I may not be changing the world yet, but I am on my way. Hope you enjoy reading as much as I enjoy spreading the gift of astronomy and the sciences to those in need!
When I was in first grade, I recall my teacher often saying, “you sure ask a lot of questions!” I do ask a lot of questions, and the unexplained and vicarious nature of a myriad of topics sometimes consumes me. The topic that fascinated me the most was that of the cosmos. As you look upward, it compels oneself to question their own place in the Universe and forces you to extract and explain the complexities of what lies all around us as a species. I believe the curiosity to engage with a hundred thousand million stars in our galaxy and beyond is important not just as a hobby, but as a cornerstone to furthering knowledge and finding scientific truths about ourselves and the world around us.
When I entered high school, I was excited to learn that as a sophomore I could take an Earth and Space course. I worked through my freshman year counting the months until I could take this course. My anticipation was soon replaced with disappointment as I realized the course content was limited to a basic introduction of our own solar system. At that moment, my head went into overdrive. As I sat for about a week contemplating how I could suggest a course for my high school, I realized the ubiquitous nature of the immense lack of opportunity for students to learn about astronomy.
I realized quickly that my motives were somewhat selfish. I was trying to create a curriculum to satisfy my own curiosity, when clearly there was a need out there that was much larger than myself. I am always looking for a way to affect positive change in those around me, and that week I formed my own 501(c)(3) charity, Outreach Astronomy. I had a conceptual idea of what I wanted to accomplish, but I knew my foremost goal was to advance intense science-based education in students that otherwise would never have such an opportunity. As an amateur photographer, I created a link on my Outreach Astronomy website to sell photographs I have taken over the past several years. Thankfully, my efforts started to gain traction in my community and I began selling many of my photographs, including astrophotography and landscapes. I was so excited, as I had created something that could have a meaningful impact on someone’s education. Since then, I have partnered with school systems locally and internationally to fund science-based education for grade school learners. I am especially proud to have donated science textbooks to a school of over 400 children. My goal is they will find the intense love of learning I have, and my efforts will spark their own curiosity about the subjects they learn about.
Throughout this incredibly fulfilling journey, I have not forgotten about advancing my own fundamental curiosity of learning. In this time, I have taken courses at Harvard Secondary School, HarvardX and CaltechX. Most notable was spending my summer in the Harvard Secondary program learning about astrobiology and the interplanetary sciences. As I move onto the next chapter in my life, I feel I have a deep responsibility to find balance between my own curiosities and helping those around me breakthrough their own perceived limitations. I am most comfortable when I move from what I know, to the world of what I don’t know. Not knowing is the best catalyst for change in an uncertain world. What can I explore? What can I create? How can I help those around me?
See, I do ask a lot of questions.