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
Wednesday Apr 29, 2026
Wednesday Apr 29, 2026
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
Connect With AUI
Instagram
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.
Wednesday Mar 25, 2026
Wednesday Mar 25, 2026
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
Connect With AUI
Instagram
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
Wednesday Feb 25, 2026
Wednesday Feb 25, 2026
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
Connect With AUI
Instagram
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.
Wednesday Jan 28, 2026
Wednesday Jan 28, 2026
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
Connect With AUI
Instagram
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.
Wednesday Oct 29, 2025
Wednesday Oct 29, 2025
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.
Learn more
World Trade Center Utah
Join Our Online Community
Wednesday Sep 24, 2025
Wednesday Sep 24, 2025
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.
Learn more
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.
Wednesday Aug 27, 2025
Wednesday Aug 27, 2025
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
Connect With AUI
LinkedIn
Instagram
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.
Monday Aug 11, 2025
Monday Aug 11, 2025
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
Learn More
Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Amateur Astronomers Association
Blue Marble Institute of Science
Connect With Kat
Connect With Sarah
Connect With AUI
Wednesday Jul 30, 2025
Wednesday Jul 30, 2025
Patrick Taylor, radar division head at the National Science Foundation's Green Bank Observatory, explains how advancements in radar technology are enhancing scientists' understanding of the Universe and influencing the future of space exploration.
Links
National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) website
Green Bank Observatory (GBO) Website
Connect With AUI
LinkedIn
Instagram
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.
Wednesday Jun 25, 2025
Wednesday Jun 25, 2025
Will Armentrout, astronomer and U.S. airman, explains the history and basics of radio astronomy.
Links
Tycho Crater image
Will's website
National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) website
NRAO Radio Astronomy 101
Green Bank Observatory (GBO) Website
GBO YouTube
Connect With AUI
Website
LinkedIn
Instagram
Facebook
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.