Kings High School science teacher Ashley Warren is an astronomy ambassador furthering the study of the cosmos with her students.

Warren, who has taught physics and chemistry, recently completed the Cincinnati Observatory Centers Future Galileos program, in which 100 quality telescopes and training were awarded to 100 educators in greater Cincinnati over four years.

Warren found out about the program while visiting the observatory during a stargazing event.

I had no idea the rich astronomical history Cincinnati had. At the stargazing night, observatory astronomers Dean and Leo began explaining the Future Galileos program. I immediately thought what a powerful tool this could be in my classroom, she said.

She applied for the program this past spring and was accepted to participate in training over the summer. Upon completion she was awarded an impressive telescope with a tube 5 feet long and 8 inches in diameter.

My physics students learn about mirrors and lenses, and I believed the telescope would be an amazing way to incorporate astronomy into the physics curriculum. Astronomy is an area of science that is not heavily focused on in the standards, yet I feel that students show the most interest for the universe and astronomy, she said.

Warren hopes to incorporate the telescope into AP Physics and a future astronomy class at KHS.

Warren also took two astronomy classes offered through the Cincinnati Observatory. During those classes, she learned how to use the telescope, teach astronomy concepts, understand misconceptions about astronomy content and incorporate astronomy into other content areas.

The Future Galileos program gave me an amazing resource to expand the minds of my students, Warren said. Understanding exactly how small or how large systems are is difficult for anyone to comprehend. I think the astronomers at the observatory really gave me multiple ways to teach for greater understanding. I think when we stifle the big picture questions students have about the universe we limit their learning. To incorporate more astronomy in my classroom, encourages students to think at a deeper, higher cognitive level.

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KHS teacher awarded telescope