Sam,
Idea: A future presenter at our monthly meeting, perhaps a published expert in
this field, could give a talk on minority-led advances in astronomy and
astrophysics. (Leah did a talk on Women in Astronomy some time ago. That
material is certainly a part of this issue.) We could publish the meeting in
places that might attract a minority population, and maybe include a short,
secondary presentation on what our club has to offer.
Your contacts at ASU, along with Jenny’s contacts at in other community
colleges, might lead us to a good source of presenters. I would expect such a
program to draw a big crowd. We should consider booking the big room in the Q
building, or in the Krantz Student Center.
Alex
Here are some similarly themed web pages I found through a simple search:
1.
https://polycentric.cpp.edu/2014/07/new-program-aims-to-increase-minorities-in-astronomy-physics/#.WHMTMrGZODc
<https://polycentric.cpp.edu/2014/07/new-program-aims-to-increase-minorities-in-astronomy-physics/#.WHMTMrGZODc>
“Cal-Bridge, as the program is called, is a consortium of CSU schools, UC
campuses and community colleges in the Southern California region that are
working toward the common goal of increasing 'the number of underrepresented
minorities (URM), especially Hispanics, and women completing bachelors and PhD
degrees in astronomy, physics, or closely related STEM fields.’”
[Jenny mentioned to me that PVCC is setting up a new STEM group. Sorry, but I
don’t recall if it was a new club, class or a department.]
2.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/234655301_American_Minorities_in_Astronomy
<https://www.researchgate.net/publication/234655301_American_Minorities_in_Astronomy>
A paper titled “American Minorities in astronomy,” by Jill S. Price
Abstract: "A collection of articles that address the question of why minorities
are still underrepresented in science after years of civil rights legislation
and affirmative action. A variety of programs aimed at increasing minorities
and women in the field of astronomy and other sciences are discussed. Personal
accounts are also provided."
3.
https://astrobites.org/2012/04/08/minorities-in-astrophysics-survival-strategies/
<https://astrobites.org/2012/04/08/minorities-in-astrophysics-survival-strategies/>
Complete paper titled “Minorities in Astrophysics: Survival Strategies,” by J.
C. Holbrook, UCLA.
4. https://www.facebook.com/umassMAP/ ;<https://www.facebook.com/umassMAP/>
Minorities in Astronomy and Physics requires a Facebook account to view in its
entirety.
5. https://www.aps.org/publications/apsnews/201508/astronomy.cfm ;
<https://www.aps.org/publications/apsnews/201508/astronomy.cfm>
Webpage describes a recent “Inclusive Astronomy Conference"
“...the first Inclusive Astronomy conference at Vanderbilt University in June
2015."
6. https://www.nasa.gov/pdf/286592main_African_American_Astronauts_FS.pdf ;
<https://www.nasa.gov/pdf/286592main_African_American_Astronauts_FS.pdf>
The above is a PDF with bios for the 16 African-American astronauts sent into
space by NASA
---
There seems to be a lot of momentum behind these efforts. Several programs,
including one from the NSF, are either active or being developed to address the
issue you brought to light. Thanks, Sam.
On Jan 8, 2017, at 8:14 PM, (Redacted sender "insanas" for DMARC)
<dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Dear PAS members, 2 weeks ago Mike, Paul Facuna, Vera, Frank and I saw the
movie "Passengers". It was a good Sci Fi flick. I saw it again recently in 3D
and it is even better. At Camelview Harkins tonight they had the movie prop
of the suspended animation chamber used in the actual movie, in the lobby.
Vera and I just saw the movie Hidden Figures. It was excellent, showing the
early successes and failures of NASA over 50 years ago. The story of how
minority women played an important part in the trajectory and reentry
computing was incredible and something that was new to me. We are the Phoenix
Astronomical Society, and yet our minority membership is very minimal. It
would be great if we could attract more minority amateur astronomers. Any
ideas are welcome. Have fun seeing the above 2 movies if you get a chance.
Sam Insana PAS President.
