Pal-Mac science teacher Joe Perry was selected to attend the "Summer Stars" conference at the National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory (NORILab) in Tucson Arizona. 

The program, coordinated by the Vera C Rubin Observatory/NOIRLab is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Department of Energy (DOE). Sixteen high school and college educators who teach astronomy were selected from hundreds of applicants across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom and attended this week-long in-person conference at NSF NOIRLab headquarters in Tucson, AZ. 

Throughout the week-long conference, Joe and fellow educators had special sessions and workshops held at one-of-a-kind facilities. 

Teachers were also trained to use the Vera Rubin Investigations. The Rubin Investigations are a suite of seven astronomy activities all aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards. Joe noted he has been using some of the seven investigations with his Earth and Space Science and Astronomy students since 2024. "When I was introduced to them in 2024 at another conference, I knew I needed to use them with my students.These labs are amazing tools which use real data and build on concepts that directly relate to the Earth Science Regents exam." 

Always looking to the horizon, Joe mentioned that opportunities like these keep a twenty-nine year veteran teacher fresh and excited to share new things with his students in September. In addition to his students at Pal-Mac, he is already scheduled in November to present at the state science teacher's conference in Syracuse, as well as at other smaller workshops through BOCES.

Through attending Summer Stars, Joe hopes to get other teachers and groups educated as to what NOIRLab has to offer. He noted “NOIRLab is doing some amazing educational outreach and I want to make sure that information gets out to the larger public community. This is especially important when possible cuts to the NSF are being considered at the federal level.”