What do astronomers wonder about? And what were they curious about when they were in middle school?
Those were some of the questions explored when a team from Carnegie Observatories visited Ms. Kenya Trice’s sixth- and seventh-grade science class at McKinley Middle School. Jessica Soto, Public Engagement Specialist, was joined by two astronomers, Dr. Tony Pahl and Dr. Peter Senchyna, to help students explore ideas for the upcoming PUSD Innovation Expo.
The visit began with introductions to the astronomers and their research, followed by plenty of questions about space! But the conversation wasn’t limited to distant stars and galaxies. The astronomers shared stories about their own middle school years, including their interests, subjects they found challenging, and experiences participating in science fairs.
One astronomer recalled being fascinated by locks as a student. That curiosity led to a science fair project exploring how locks work through reverse engineering. It was a great example of how an everyday interest can become an opportunity for scientific discovery.
The class of 17 students then divided into smaller groups, giving everyone more time to talk about their own ideas. Some students were still unsure about participating in the Innovation Expo, but that didn’t stop them from asking questions and exploring possibilities.
The Carnegie team encouraged students to start with what interests them. What would you like to investigate? Is there something you could measure, test, or observe? What would you invent? Or what everyday object would you like to improve?
A science project doesn’t have to begin with a big idea. Sometimes it begins with a small question.
The PUSD Innovation Expo invites students to explore their curiosity through scientific inquiry, invention, engineering, and other creative approaches to problem-solving. By sharing their own experiences and listening to students’ ideas, the Carnegie astronomers helped make that process feel more approachable.
The visit was part of the Pasadena Educational Foundation’s SciTech Initiative, connecting PUSD students and teachers with the people, expertise, and resources of our community.
Thank you to Jessica Soto and the Carnegie Observatories team for sharing their time, stories, and curiosity with Ms. Trice’s students. Who knows where one of those questions might lead?
