On a mission to expand access to STEM knowledge, AUI’s Kelsey Underwood sits down with experts to discuss their latest breakthroughs in science and technology and their impact on astronomy, energy, education and beyond.
Episodes
Jun 25, 2026
Jun 25, 2026
22 min
Paulina Bocaz, assistant director at ALMA Observatory, shares what it takes to operate the world’s most powerful radio astronomy observatory in the world.
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Please note: The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) is a global collaboration between the European Southern Observatory (ESO), the U.S. National Science Foundation's National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) and the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ), in cooperation with the Republic of Chile. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of ALMA's partner organizations.
May 27, 2026
May 27, 2026
14 min
Rachel Freed, Santa Barbara Education and Outreach Coordinator at Las Cumbres Observatory, and Tiffany Stone Wolbrecht, Deputy Director of Education and Public Engagement at AUI, discuss how robotic telescopes are changing science education by allowing students to learn through real-world research.
Links
Las Cumbres Observatory Global Sky Partners
Skynet Robotic Telescope Network
Journal Article: Astronomy Research Seminar Expansion and Building a Community-of-Practice
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Please note: "Our Place in Space" is an interactive, undergraduate-level astronomy curriculum developed with support from the U.S. National Science Foundation and AUI. Student research was made possible by the Skynet Robotic Telescope Network. The Las Cumbres Observatory also supports student research through its own program, Global Sky Partners. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the NSF or LCO.
Apr 29, 2026
Apr 29, 2026
19 min
Tim Spuck, director of education and public engagement at AUI, and Gretchen Stahlman, assistant professor at Florida State, explain why stigma surrounding Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) research exists and how improved data collection and analysis can advance science and national security.
Links
National Archives UAP Records
Gretchen Stahlman's Journal Article
Society for UAP Studies 2025 Workshop Article
National UFO Reporting Center 2025 Workshop Article
AUI 2024 Workshop Executive Summary
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Please note: the 2024 workshop, “Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena: A Dialogue on Science, Public Engagement and Communication” was supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation, award 2301922. The 2025 workshop, "Narrative Data, Infrastructures, and Analysis” was supported by the U.S. All-domain Anomaly Office. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the NSF or ARRO.
Mar 25, 2026
Mar 25, 2026
24 min
Anica Miller-Rushing, Yasmin Catricheo and Nicolas Bonne, leaders of ASTRO ACCEL, discuss the value in international collaboration in astronomy education and outreach, and how the online Commons platform enables unique partnerships to advance the field.
Links
AUI Education and Public Engagement Programs
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References
Thieman, J., Ng, C., Lewis, E., & Cline, T. (2010). Sun-Earth days. In J. Barnes, D. A. Smith, M. G. Gibbs, & J. G. Manning (Eds.), Science education and outreach: Forging a path to the future (Vol. 431, p. 115). Astronomical Society of the Pacific. https://adsabs.harvard.edu/full/2010ASPC..431..115T
Feb 25, 2026
Feb 25, 2026
26 min
Bettymaya Foott, astrophotographer and communicator for DarkSky International, and Jeff Hellerman, art director at the U.S. National Science Foundation National Radio Astronomy Observatory and dark sky photographer, discuss the role of astrophotography in astronomy and their experience shooting at the Very Large Array.
Links
National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) Website
Very Large Array (VLA) Website
Very Large Array Astrophotography Project Gallery
International Dark Sky Places Map
Bettymaya Foott's Instagram
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Please note: The Very Large Array and National Radio Astronomy Observatory are facilities of the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) operated under cooperative agreement with Associated Universities Incorporated. The opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily represent those of the NSF.
Jan 28, 2026
Jan 28, 2026
22 min
Jill Malusky, senior news and public information manager at the U.S. National Science Foundation National Radio Astronomy Observatory, discusses how science films, both factual and fictional, impact the science field and the process of filming projects, like Apple TV’s “Pluribus”, on site.
Links
National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) Website
Green Bank Observatory (GBO) Website
Very Large Array (VLA) Website
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Please note: The Green Bank Observatory, Very Large Array and National Radio Astronomy Observatory are facilities of the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) operated under cooperative agreement with Associated Universities Incorporated. The opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily represent those of the NSF.
Oct 29, 2025
Oct 29, 2025
16hr 29 min
Ben Kolendar, World Trade Center Utah, and Matt Schaub, AUI, reflect on the United States’ history with critical minerals and propose solutions to better secure their supply chain.
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World Trade Center Utah
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Sep 24, 2025
Sep 24, 2025
19 min
Bert Hawkins, assistant director of the Central Development Laboratory at the National Science Foundation’s National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NSF NRAO), and Jeff Pixton, technology transfer manager at the NSF NRAO, explain the basics of technology transfer and the benefits for science and beyond.
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Join Our Online Community
The Green Bank Observatory and the National Radio Astronomy Observatory are facilities of the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) operated under cooperative agreement with Associated Universities Incorporated. The opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily represent those of the NSF, and the implementation of any radar system on these facilities would be subject to NSF review and approval.
Aug 27, 2025
Aug 27, 2025
20 min
Will Armentrout, U.S. airman and astronomer, returns to explain planetary defense and discuss the U.S. National Science Foundation Green Bank Observatory’s ngRADAR project.
Links
National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) website
Green Bank Observatory (GBO) Website
Related Episodes
Capturing Cosmic Data With Radar
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Please note: the Green Bank Observatory and the National Radio Astronomy Observatory are facilities of the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) operated under cooperative agreement with Associated Universities Incorporated. The opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily represent those of the NSF, and the implementation of any radar system on these facilities would be subject to NSF review and approval.
Aug 11, 2025
Aug 11, 2025
14 min
Kat Troche and Sarah Treadwell are back for a bonus episode to share their experiences from place-based education programs operated by AUI and its partners. Both science outreach professionals participated in the Astronomy in Chile Educator Ambassador Program (ACEAP) and Sarah took part in the Mission Patagonia program as well.
AUI's Place-Based Learning Programs
Astronomy in Chile Educator Ambassadors Program
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Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Amateur Astronomers Association
Blue Marble Institute of Science
Connect With Kat
Connect With Sarah
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