The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation awarded a $5.4 million grant to the University of California Observatories (UCO) in 2023 to support a major expansion of the education and outreach programs at UC’s Lick Observatory. This funding provided Lick Observatory with an extraordinary opportunity to amplify its role in the STEM education pipeline, connecting diverse audiences with astronomy and inspiring the next generation of scientists and science enthusiasts. Through strategic investments in outreach programming and educational partnerships, we have achieved remarkable success in our continuing mission to make astronomy accessible to Bay Area communities.
Dual-Focus Strategy for Maximum Impact
Our approach centers on two complementary focus areas designed to reach learners at multiple stages of their educational journey:
Outreach and Public Education (led by Dr. Lauren Corlies) targets the broader community, engaging science-interested and science-curious adults, their families, stargazers, casual explorers, and students from K-12 schools. This program recognizes that inspiring communities creates a ripple effect, bringing astronomy education into homes and communities throughout the Bay Area.
College Partnerships (led by Dr. Anne Metevier) focuses specifically on strengthening connections with higher education institutions, ensuring that undergraduate and community college students have direct access to world-class astronomical facilities and educational experiences.
To further support both initiatives, the Gordon and Betty Moore grant funding has enabled facility improvements that enhance the educational experience for all visitors to Lick Observatory.
Expanding Educational Partnerships: Connecting with Tomorrow’s Scientists and beyond
Our college partnership program ASTRAL (Astronomy/STEM Alliance with Lick Observatory) has to date facilitated 30 educational visits from student and community groups, demonstrating our commitment to hands-on STEM education:
- 12 undergraduate groups from Bay Area institutions experienced advanced astronomical facilities and research firsthand
- 5 high school groups gained exposure to potential STEM career paths
- 7 community college groups accessed opportunities typically reserved for four-year institutions
- 6 summer and community engagement programs extended our reach to diverse populations
The breadth of community interest in 2025 has been wonderful, with requests coming from elementary, middle, and high schools, summer camps, Girls and Boys Clubs, libraries, community days, parent/teacher nights, and museum events—demonstrating the wide-reaching appeal of astronomy education across all age groups and community settings in the Bay Area.
The ASTRAL College Consortium: A Model for Community College Engagement
One of our most impactful initiatives has been the ASTRAL College Consortium, designed to broaden access to Lick Observatory while supporting students’ educational pathways. This program specifically targets transfer pathways, research practices, and STEM general education experiences while building community across the Bay Area Community College system.
The cornerstone of ASTRAL is a residential 5-day experience at Lick Observatory for STEM majors, designed to develop community across colleges and foster students’ STEM identity development while boosting skills for future internships and Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs).
Hands-On Learning and Mentorship
ASTRAL participants engage in comprehensive observational astronomy, including target selection, imaging, spectroscopy, and detector work. A mentored laboratory focusing on transiting planets is driven by students’ questions and designed and taught by graduate students and postdocs. The program also incorporates inclusive teamwork discussions and education/career pathway talks.
The program’s success is evident in its impressive growth and consistent high demand. After doubling capacity, ASTRAL’s residential workshop welcomed 23 students from 8 community colleges in 2025, up from 12 students from 6 colleges in 2024. Applications have similarly surged, from 29 in 2024 to 51 in 2025, with some students returning for a second year.
Exceptional Student Outcomes
Student feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with the highest-rated aspects being the sense of community among peers and instructors, hands-on work with Lick Observatory telescopes, and interaction with observatory staff, graduate students, and postdocs. Of 35 students surveyed, 33 rated the workshop as “extremely valuable” and 2 as “very valuable”.
The program’s impact extends beyond the workshop experience. Three workshop participants are now employed as Public Programs Assistants at Lick Observatory, and Mount Hamilton staff report renewed energy, actively inviting students to return and shadow them.
As one participant noted: “I will carry the skills and experience for the rest of my life. I had no idea there was so much available to us.”
Another shared: “This was one of the most memorable experiences of my life” and “it further cemented my belonging in STEM and more specifically in astrophysics research.”
Building for the Future: Creating Better Learning Spaces
The Moore Foundation support has also enabled critical infrastructure improvements designed to enhance the quality of experience for both students and the public.
Student Accommodation Enhancements
We were able to create additional accommodations for students and plan to make further improvements to existing dormitory rooms.
The Historic School House Restoration
With the rapid popularity of the ASTRAL program and larger numbers of visiting groups we recognized the need for a dedicated workspace outside the main building, the historic School House was the ideal location. This building, which sustained fire damage during the 2020 wildfire, required comprehensive restoration.
The restored School House now provides visiting groups with a dedicated, functional space that honors the site’s educational heritage while meeting modern learning needs.
The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation’s investment has not only produced immediate, measurable impact but has also positioned Lick Observatory as a model for how major research facilities can serve their broader communities. By strategically targeting multiple audiences—from curious families to undergraduate researchers—we are building a comprehensive STEM pipeline that nurtures interest and expertise at every level.
Our success speaks to both the quality of our programming and the appetite for accessible science education in the Bay Area. As we continue to build on this foundation, Lick Observatory stands as a beacon to the transformative power of combining world-class research facilities with innovative public engagement programming, creating pathways for lifelong learning and scientific curiosity that extend far beyond Mount Hamilton. With continued support, Lick Observatory will not only inspire the next generation of scientists but also serve as a national model for how research institutions can broaden participation in STEM.