We are happy that you are here! This website is a small collection of science-based, interdisciplinary-intended lessons created by teachers, for teachers, in the K-12 classroom setting. In a partnership with the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, NRAO and the African-American Teaching Fellows Program, AATF, both based in Charlottesville, Virginia, a group of local Black educators have designed lessons that work to educate students about Radio Astronomy. This team was designed by the STEAM Education Program Development Officer at the NRAO. The cohort was comprised of teachers and educators from a variety of disciplines and grade levels, representing the following areas of Virginia: Charlottesville City; Albemarle County; and Hampton City.

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Over the course of two years, this group of Black educators  developed a set of lesson plans that implement a culturally-responsive approach to deliver specific instruction that exposes our diverse students populations to the world of STEAM. This project grew from a goal to have more students of color and diverse backgrounds interested, involved, and working in the field of STEM. Therefore, this group used the first year to create a foundation of lessons that are ready-to-use, openly accessible, and standard-based. Further, during the second year, a smaller group of five educators continued the work to push the engagement in the lessons by including research-based strategies, culturally-responsive content, and ready-to-use materials.

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As you explore the lesson plan tab on this website, please note that the lessons can be done individually or sequentially. Additionally, each lesson has a scaffold for the appropriate age-range. We highly encourage and recommend that you submit feedback! Please do submit any comments, questions, or lesson adjustments that you made to help us make each lesson better for you! Additionally, if you have any ideas of lessons that can be added, please do not hesitate to contact us using the link below.

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